AnnArbor.com News - Category: Business Review

Michigan Theater marquee to run on sun power

2013-09-11T14:30:00-04:00

The solar array being installed on the Michigan Theater's roof this week. The power generated by the array will light up the theater's marquee.

Melanie Maxwell | The Ann Arbor News

Here comes the sun-powered Michigan Theater marquee - and it's all right.

Yes, installation of a rooftop solar array - an electrical device made up of connected solar cells - should be completed this week at Ann Arbor's historic Michigan Theater. Once the system is in place and operational, it should generate enough electricity to power the marquee, after its incandescent bulbs are replaced with light-emitting diode (LED) lamps.

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Chelsea City Council sets deadline for bids on old police station

2013-09-11T11:47:34-04:00

Bids will be accepted for the old chelsea police station until 10 a.m. September 20.

The Chelsea City Council set a deadline for bids to purchase the city’s old police station building at its meeting Tuesday night, Chelsea Update reported.

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Perceived shortage of taxi stands in downtown Ann Arbor getting discussion

2013-09-11T05:59:55-04:00

Local cab drivers Randall Grenham of Blue Cab and Rick Albitus of Amazing Blue Taxi stop to chat Monday night at a taxi stand on Washington Street, just west of Main Street, in downtown Ann Arbor.

Ryan Stanton | AnnArbor.com

As chairman of the city's Taxicab Board, Ann Arbor City Council Member Stephen Kunselman hears a lot about the ins and outs of the local taxi industry.

One concern that's surfaced recently, Kunselman said, is there might not be enough taxi stands — curbside parking spots reserved for cab drivers — in the downtown.

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Real Estate One finalizes deal to acquire Ann Arbor-based Charles Reinhart Company

2013-09-11T05:57:00-04:00

Southfield-based Real Estate One finalized a deal Tuesday morning to acquire Charles Reinhart Company, a real estate firm founded 43 years ago in Ann Arbor.

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Software development firm SRT Solutions acquired by Grand Rapids-based Atomic Object

2013-09-11T05:57:00-04:00

Bill Wagner, who founded SRT Solutions in 2000 with Dianne Marsh, plans to stay in Ann Arbor after the sale of the company. He will continue developing programming curricula and working on open source applications for Humanitarian Toolbox.

Photo by Mark Bialek | For AnnArbor.com

Ann Arbor software developers Bill Wagner and Dianne Marsh founded SRT Solutions in 2000 and built a company that counted General Motors, Dominos and the University of Michigan among its long list of clients.

Grand Rapids-based Atomic Object announced Wednesday morning that it has acquired the software development firm for an undisclosed sum.

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Ypsilanti officials: Former Boys and Girls Club site could become new residential housing project

2013-09-11T05:57:00-04:00

A site formerly used by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan in Ypsilanti has been listed by the city for $285,000 and officials hope the property can be redeveloped for a housing project.

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Yankee Air Museum has 22 days left to raise $3.2M to save portion of former Willow Run bomber plant

2013-09-10T05:59:59-04:00

With 22 days left in its fundraising campaign, the Yankee Air Museum is about $3.2 million short of its $8 million goal to save a portion of the former Willow Run bomber plant in Ypsilanti Township from demolition.

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Ann Arbor DDA addressing 'increasingly tight availability of parking in the downtown'

2013-09-10T05:59:35-04:00

The entrance to the new Library Lane underground parking garage off Fifth Avenue in downtown Ann Arbor. In the background, the new Blake Transit Center takes shape last month.

Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com

A year after adding 700-plus parking spaces with the opening of a new underground garage, Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority leaders say parking demand is strong.

In fact, there's a wait list of more than 100 people seeking monthly permits for the subterranean garage off Fifth Avenue, said DDA Executive Director Susan Pollay.

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My Handyman to donate free labor to Scio Township Fire Department

2013-09-10T05:56:00-04:00

Technicians from My Handyman of Ann Arbor, Saline and Chelsea will partner with My Handyman President Alex Roberts and 16 volunteers from the corporate office in Ann Arbor to donate free repair and maintenance services to the Scio Township Fire Department Tuesday.

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Saline City Council to vote on name for newly renovated alleyway

2013-09-09T19:09:03-04:00

The Saline City Council will vote Monday night on the approval of ‘Leather Bucket Alley’ as the name for the newly renovated alleyway located behind Brecon Grille.

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Flatbread maker Flatout Inc. to make $1.5M investment in Saline facility

2013-09-09T15:25:00-04:00

There have been many great inventions since sliced bread, but Saline-based flatbread maker Flatout,Inc. is having some success in its attempt to one-up the original.

Saline City Council will decide at its meeting Monday night whether to grant Flatout an industrial facilities tax abatement for an expansion and improvements to the company’s manufacturing center.

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Ann Arbor's downtown zoning evaluation project continues with more public meetings planned

2013-09-09T09:25:58-04:00

The second phase of the Ann Arbor Planning Commission's evaluation of the downtown zoning continues with more public meetings and online surveys planned.

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Long-vacant, historic downtown Ypsilanti building to be auctioned

2013-09-09T05:55:42-04:00

The Smith Furniture Building

Tom Perkins | For AnnArbor.com

The fate of downtown Ypsilanti’s Smith Furniture Building will likely be decided on Wednesday.

The 24,000-square-foot structure has largely sat vacant since it was purchased by its current owner, James Pate in 1992. After recent pressure from the city, Pate opted to put it on the auction block.

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Medicaid expansion topic of public meeting Tuesday in Washtenaw County

2013-09-08T12:50:34-04:00

Washtenaw County residents with questions about changes in health care laws and what options are available to them are encouraged to attend a public meeting in Scio Township.

State Rep. Gretchen Driskell, D-Saline, will host an informational session about health care options in Michigan from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Scio Farms, 6655 Jackson Road.

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Is your networking interaction or interruption?

2013-09-08T06:00:00-04:00

Is this what your networking looks like?

Image by Scott Maxwell

Thinking about it, which do you remember more clearly, the last television commercial you saw (interruption) or the last phone call you had with a friend (interaction)? How about the last billboard (interruption) or the last coffee with a networking contact (interaction)? What about the last piece of direct mail advertising (interruption) or the last handwritten letter from family (interaction)?

And to which side of the continuum does your networking belong?

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