You are viewing this article in the AnnArbor.com archives. For the latest breaking news and updates in Ann Arbor and the surrounding area, see MLive.com/ann-arbor
Posted on Mon, Aug 20, 2012 : 2:59 p.m.

Ann Arbor traffic patterns to change as thousands of students move into dormitories

By Kellie Woodhouse

student-moveout.JPG

Most University of Michigan students living on campus will begin moving into their dormitories next week.

Angela Cesere | AnnArbor.com

It's coming up on that time of year again: Move-in week in Ann Arbor.

The city is changing traffic patterns and restricting parking on various Ann Arbor streets near University of Michigan's campus in an effort to make student move-in go smoothly.

More than 27,000 undergraduates will take classes in Ann Arbor this fall and U-M expects roughly 9,700 of them to live on campus. The majority of those students, with the help of their parents, move in during a three-day period beginning next week on Aug. 29.

The large influx of people and activity is a reminder that the summer is fading away, students are back and with them so is traffic on State Street.

"It's the great migration," joked Peter Logan, communications director for U-M housing.

U-M is paying the city $10,450 for occupancy of the public right-of-way during the move-in period. The city also is prohibiting those with peddling licenses and sidewalks permits from using them within a one-block radius of affected streets.

For its part, the university tries to limit the chaos of move-in week with hundreds of volunteer student helpers and booths serving ice cream to hot and hungry families. Recycling stations also are scattered throughout affected areas for move-in waste.

"We have a pretty successful formula for managing the groups of students as they move in, assisting with the move in process," Logan said.

The affected roads include:

  • Thompson - one way southbound from East Jefferson to Packard
  • Madison - one way eastbound from South Division to South State
  • Observatory - one way southbound from East Ann to Geddes
  • East Washington - one way westbound from Fletcher to South State - meters bagged
  • Maynard - meters bagged from Jefferson to East William
  • North University Court - meters bagged
  • Monroe - from State to the end of the cul-de-sac - meters bagged
  • Oxford - parking reserved for move-in from Hill to Geddes
  • Washington Heights - from Observatory to E. Medical Center Drive
  • East Ann - one-way eastbound from Zina Pitcher Place to Observatory

Traffic patterns will be disrupted beginning Aug. 29 at 6 a.m. and ending Aug. 31 at 10 p.m.

Three of U-M's dorms will be closed this fall, reducing housing capacity on campus. East Quad will be closed all year for a $116 million renovation and Baits I is closing permanently because of a decaying facility. The Lawyer's Club, which houses solely law students, also is closed during a $39 million renovation.

Meanwhile three new luxury apartment complexes —Landmark, City Place and Zaragon West— are opening this year, bringing another 1,000 beds to the Ann Arbor student housing market.

The following is a map of affected areas in Ann Arbor:

Screen Shot 2012-08-10 at 9.51.34 AM.png

See more move-in maps here.

Kellie Woodhouse covers higher education for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at kelliewoodhouse@annarbor.com or 734-623-4602 and follow her on twitter.

Comments

zanzerbar

Tue, Aug 21, 2012 : 2:15 p.m.

Enjoy this last week of ( relatively ) quiet summer in the square.

JRW

Tue, Aug 21, 2012 : 1:51 p.m.

I have no idea why aa dot com would use a photo of a rusty dumpster for an article on the UM student move-in.

Brad

Tue, Aug 21, 2012 : 2:04 p.m.

It's a metaphor for the millions of trash Solo cups that will be adorning our streets in a few weeks. I can hardly wait for that.

applehazar

Tue, Aug 21, 2012 : 1:02 p.m.

Great place to live. UM is perfect for A2. Keeps housings values up and I wouldnt want to be anywhere else. Also the top dog friendly city in the country.

JRW

Tue, Aug 21, 2012 : 1:52 p.m.

Inflates rents to astronomical levels, very overpriced rental market and many rentals are dumps.

RUKiddingMe

Tue, Aug 21, 2012 : 10:17 a.m.

Man, you guys are rough. Don't be discouraged, Kellie, we all know move-in's a significant event in A2 and deserves a few mentions. Thanks for the heads up.

Frustrated in A2

Tue, Aug 21, 2012 : 3:05 a.m.

Life as I once enjoyed it is now over...

eastsider2

Tue, Aug 21, 2012 : 2:27 a.m.

Appreciate the reminder, AA.com! The family has just been wondering when move-in starts so that we can plan our driving accordingly. Though move in makes me grumble, (as does the recent overflowing garbage from summer move-out), it's part of the package of this great town. Get ready for the beer pong tables (and accompanying cups)!

xmo

Mon, Aug 20, 2012 : 9:10 p.m.

I am glad that this is one of the top cities to live in. Move-In Day, is something that only a handful of cities in the US get to experience so enjoy it!

MRunner73

Mon, Aug 20, 2012 : 8:51 p.m.

Aonther summer about to end and another school year about to begin. Don't mind the mayhem, there are ways around it. It's part of living in Ann Arbror and a great college town.

djacks24

Mon, Aug 20, 2012 : 8:49 p.m.

In other words, stay the hell out of downtown if at all possible.

regularjoe

Mon, Aug 20, 2012 : 8:41 p.m.

Your picture is misleading. It's a picture of the dumpsters on the corner of Tappan and Oakland that the city puts out during student MOVE OUT in April. Will the city be providing dumpsters for the summer move out as well? Most students moved out this past weekend.

Bertha Venation

Tue, Aug 21, 2012 : 4:14 p.m.

Hey Barb, were we in the same Driver's Ed class?

Barb

Mon, Aug 20, 2012 : 8:51 p.m.

No kidding... they should show a picture of me in my car shaking my fist at a student.

MRunner73

Mon, Aug 20, 2012 : 8:48 p.m.

Hate to say it but I think that same photo was used last year for this same story. It does look very familiar.

Top Cat

Mon, Aug 20, 2012 : 8:23 p.m.

And every year they get younger.

Bertha Venation

Tue, Aug 21, 2012 : 4:13 p.m.

HA! How do you think I feel? You're preachin' to the choir, babe! :)

jns131

Tue, Aug 21, 2012 : 3:50 p.m.

And every year we get older still. Ouch. O to be young again.

Ed Kimball

Tue, Aug 21, 2012 : 1:59 p.m.

Yes, UM is now graduating kids 1/3 my age. They never did that when I was in college!

actionjackson

Tue, Aug 21, 2012 : 1:20 p.m.

When professional ball players start looking "real young" you are probably middle aged or a bit more. When the umpires look "real young" you are old.

jns131

Mon, Aug 20, 2012 : 8:02 p.m.

They're coming back!!!! What mayhem will the cross walks will be. Enjoy!

Ignatz

Mon, Aug 20, 2012 : 7:39 p.m.

I remember when there was no coordination for move in or move out. It's been far better since they organized this. Kudos to the U. Go Blue!