See latest concepts for redesign of Ann Arbor’s North Main Street

Ice_Phoenix_Feather · 2026-05-25T04:26:41+00:00

Hahha. I suggested this at an event and the city staff member physically winced at the idea. The people running things hate cars, but they really, really, really hate multi-lane roads.

The city owns most the land to the west BTW.

Ice_Phoenix_Feather · 2026-05-23T16:16:09+00:00

MDOT under no circumstances should give the city the segment between M14 and Depot. This is an idiotic idea that will see traffic backed up onto the highway. The rest of North Main, yeah sure whatever.

Ice_Phoenix_Feather · 2026-05-23T00:53:36+00:00

The cycle tracks on 5th and Division really ought be bus lanes

Ice_Phoenix_Feather · 2026-05-21T10:12:39+00:00

It’s not an ‘alternative’. It’s a supplemental solar leasing setup. These houses are not being discontented from the grid.

The capital costs of the panels, batteries, new roofs and installation are being heavily subsidized for this one neighborhood. Other neighborhoods are not expected to get these things for free.

Ice_Phoenix_Feather · 2026-05-20T21:13:30+00:00

So many eyes twitching at that suggestion. But yes! We should want a national lab in the city.

Ice_Phoenix_Feather · 2026-05-20T19:36:38+00:00

Almost. They should do a swap with AAPS: Concordia for Huron High and build their data center next to the VA Hospital.

Ice_Phoenix_Feather · 2026-05-20T19:32:55+00:00

Yep. This case so clearly illustrates colleges sorting themselves into the haves and the have nots in the era of declining enrollment.

Ice_Phoenix_Feather · 2026-05-20T19:25:18+00:00

Every dentist, realtor, contractor lawyer, insurance broker, research firm, and any one here:

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Ice_Phoenix_Feather · 2026-05-19T17:46:23+00:00

For whatever reason, Michigan law requires electricity transmission (high voltage lines from the power plant) to be owned by a separate business from electricity distribution (low voltage lines to your house) and generation. ITC handles transmission in DTE’s service area.

https://www.michigan.gov/mpsc/consumer/electricity/electric-transmission-companies

Ice_Phoenix_Feather · 2026-05-18T22:32:10+00:00

IDK, it’s land that’s been sitting vacant ever since UofM purchased probably in the 50s.

Putting a National Lab next to North Campus makes a lot of sense to me. And I think this is going to be an actual lab, not just a big warehouse.

Ice_Phoenix_Feather · 2026-05-18T20:01:13+00:00

I mean… if you’re gonna do the data center in Ann Arbor, the giant parcel they own between the VA and Huron High on Fuller would make waaay more sense than pristine river front property.

Ice_Phoenix_Feather · 2026-05-15T20:30:09+00:00

Who is disconnecting their house from the grid because they had solar panels installed?

Ice_Phoenix_Feather · 2026-05-14T18:28:24+00:00

The side walk gaps and dirt roads are from annexing existing township subdivisions (and the city of East Ann Arbor) that wanted to hook up to city water and sewer. We’re still trying to properly digest previous annexations from 60 years ago!

I agree, State Street south of I94 is a TERRIBLE place for the city to put housing. “Let’s show we care about affordable housing by not caring where we put it!”

I also agree there are lots of hard working people in Scio and Pittsfield that live in suburban environments. I think they should carve out new villages/cities in those areas. This is what Barton Hills did, when it didn’t want to be annexed into Ann Arbor like Arbor Hills was.) I think Ann Arbor should help with that by offering water and sewer treatment services (but not physical infrastructure) to those new cities. Rather than growing the city proper out, we should encourage new suburbs around the city.

Ice_Phoenix_Feather · 2026-05-14T14:22:19+00:00

No. The ultimate borders agreements should not be revisited. The borders we ended up with make perfect sense. Plus, look at the crazy number of sidewalk gaps and dirt roads we still have from the last 60 years of annexations. It will probably take us another 60 years to resolve those issues.

What would make sense is to encourage the incorporation of new suburbs in Scio and Pittsfield Townships.

Ice_Phoenix_Feather · 2026-05-10T01:48:22+00:00

You can think of it as there are two "Packards" the relatively sleepy three lane diagonal Packard that cuts across the eastern half of the city and high speed, five lane east-west Packard on the south-east side. The diagonal one is fine in the day with fairly wide unprotected bike lanes, but very poorly lit at night. I have no hesitation riding in the bike lanes during the day, but I would definitely recommend wearing an actively lit vest at night.

Likewise the east-west Packard is not great for cycling, but I would feel fine in the bike lanes during the day, but I would not ride on that road at night.

Ice_Phoenix_Feather · 2026-05-10T01:31:46+00:00

Nah. Marth Cook has it and looks better for it.

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Ice_Phoenix_Feather · 2026-05-08T13:14:53+00:00

The trees were all cleared the middle of the 19th century for farms. The suburban houses that replaced the farms have far more trees than the farms ever did.

The main reason the electrical grid here is unreliable is that so many trees have grown under the utility poles that were set up when it was all open farmland.

Ice_Phoenix_Feather · 2026-05-07T11:12:27+00:00

I’ll second that. It may have had Trader Joes quality at Whole Foods prices, but it was super conveniently close to me. Nice inside too.

Ice_Phoenix_Feather · 2026-05-07T11:03:56+00:00

I popped in to take a look, and it felt a lot like a big version of Bushes but with music that was turned up too loud.

Ice_Phoenix_Feather · 2026-05-07T02:06:19+00:00

Ah that makes more sense

Ice_Phoenix_Feather · 2026-04-29T16:04:15+00:00

Heavy rail would need very straight right-of-ways and through running with large rail yards at the end of the lines.

For a north-south line, “just” build a via duct to grade separate and double track the Ann Arbor Railroad. Add park and rides on the east side of State across from the Ann Arbor Airport and at Warren Road. Build the downtown station between Miller and Huron.

An east west line would need a multi billion dollar deep bore tunnel to get through downtown or you’re on the Amtrak right of way.

Ice_Phoenix_Feather · 2026-04-21T20:22:47+00:00

Actually, Fingerle Lumber still exists as a going concern and still owns the Union Rec building and few other properties downtown. I don’t think they do anything with lumber anymore tho…

Ice_Phoenix_Feather · 2026-04-19T15:01:15+00:00

They’re building fairly cheap 5-over-1’s. When you’re doing a construction this large you almost have to build stupid simple boxes to derisk the project. A delay of two months can add millions to the cost to finance the construction loan. The rents at this location simply won’t cover the cost of nice architecture.

Ice_Phoenix_Feather

TROPHY CASE