Put the conference center at 415 W. Washington instead of Library Lot
The recent discussion of the library lot's use has given me an idea. Why not put the conference center in 415 W. Washington Street, instead of on the library lot. There are several arguments in favor of this:
1) A conference center does not need to be in the heart of the downtown area, in fact, it would be better if it were somewhat further away.
2) To house the conference center, a larger building could probably be built on the Washington site.
3) The Washington Conference Center would still be close enough to downtown so that participants could walk to restaurants and stores. Or there could be a shuttle like the AATA purple shuttle to bring people to the center.
4) Focusing on this neglected area would provide a new center for restaurants and stores, and stimulate more building, so that the downtown would be enlarged and consequent tax revenue enhanced.
5) We would still have an open space in the center of town, so important to the urban ambiance traditionally enjoyed throughout time.
By all means, ring the space with shops and eateries, but keep the center open for dance festivals, food festivals, commercial festivals. This area is traversed daily by dozens and dozens of people, it would not become a forgotten dead space. For examples see the urban center of Pittsburgh and the urban renovation of areas in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
We could have a semi paved, planted square in the round that would continue to distinguish Ann Arbor's uniqueness. We are lucky to have such open space in the center of our town, and we should think carefully before we consign it to becoming an ordinary street.
Daryl M. Hafter Ann Arbor
Comments
a2grateful
Wed, Feb 10, 2010 : 7:09 a.m.
Are you sure the cleanup was performed to the standard that allows human contact with the ground? Brownfield cleanup standards are far different for parking lots than parks...
logo
Sun, Feb 7, 2010 : 11:02 p.m.
Actually the site was cleaned up years ago and the resolution to move forward on the art center/greenway park specified that there be no impact on the general fund. They are fund raising and looking for grants. The decision to make 415 W. Washington a greenway park was made years ago. They are now acting on it but without spending tax money on it. Non-profits are doing much of the work. Given that it is in the floodway there is no better use for this land.
PersonX
Sun, Feb 7, 2010 : 5:40 p.m.
The flood plain, far away from downtown... I still do not believe that this city needs a conference center that people might use for a few months of the year.
a2grateful
Sun, Feb 7, 2010 : 4:16 p.m.
Regardless of proposed use, isn't this site a heavily contaminated brownfield redevelopment site? If so, cleanup will likely be extravagantly expensive. Of course, the City has plenty of cash for projects like this!
Hot Sam
Sun, Feb 7, 2010 : 3:27 p.m.
""""Mr. Hafter should study the issue more carefully before opining: much of the land at 415 W. Washington is in the floodway and/or flood plain, meaning, that the construction he advocates is effectively forbidden by both federal and State law."""" Unless it's a homeless shelter....
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Sun, Feb 7, 2010 : 12:10 p.m.
Janet: That is just what most of the council has already said and they were quoted on this site.
Janelle Baranowski
Sun, Feb 7, 2010 : 10:41 a.m.
There is a third option as well. No conference center with tax-payer dollars.
logo
Sun, Feb 7, 2010 : 10:29 a.m.
This is bad idea, 415 West Washington is in the floodway. You can't build much there at all and the city decided years ago to make it a park. The current effort is creative and does not ask the city for more money. But there won't be a conference center anyway unless the developers can build it on their own. Most of council was quoted here last week saying they weren't going to fund it. The Library Lot should be developed with tax paying businesses to strengthen downtown, something that brings people to town. A park would be a dead zone for most of the time. Look at so many of the parks in town, nobody there unless there is a game or something going on. Allow development downtown! A2 is not a big city and there are too many parks already. Keep downtown active and you will have a great city for years and years to come.
Lifelong A2
Sun, Feb 7, 2010 : 10:25 a.m.
Mr. Hafter should study the issue more carefully before opining: much of the land at 415 W. Washington is in the floodway and/or flood plain, meaning, that the construction he advocates is effectively forbidden by both federal and State law.
Moose
Sun, Feb 7, 2010 : 10:11 a.m.
Has Daryl ever walked the path of the Allen Creek or actually looked at any of the publicly owned property including 415? I doubt it.
Arboriginal
Sun, Feb 7, 2010 : 9:40 a.m.
Amen!