The downtown Ann Arbor News property went on the market this week, with the asking price of $9 million for the building at Huron and Division, the adjacent parking lot and another parking lot with Ann Street frontage.

The down market will affect buyer interest, which probably would have reached the level of “frenzied” if this were 2004.

Even so, there are plenty of possibilities. Here are some that Business Review would like considered for the property:

1. Anything with Division-side windows at the south end of the building. It’s attractive from some sides, but not pedestrian friendly at the Washington/Division corner.
   
   
2. Non-student and not-overpriced housing. We keep hearing about the benefits recent college grads bring to a downtown and how we don’t have the housing for them. Build it here, close enough to both campus and downtown.
   
   
3. Our long-awaited conference center. Private money can build on privately owned land infinitely faster than bidding on any city-owned property. So if it’s really a viable plan, go for it.
   
   
4. Something tall. Of any corner in Ann Arbor that can absorb height, this is it. But wait until market demand for your project is proven.
   
   
5. Larger-scale retail. Is this the chance for a larger store presence downtown? And could it really work here? We’ve had rumors and hopes about a grocery store, Crate & Barrel and Nordstrom. If it could expand - instead of dilute- the downtown retail district, it could be the traffic-driver that helps locally run stores.