Officials sympathetic to Ann Arbor residents' concerns about noise on Division Street
Last weekend's mass concrete pour along South Division Street in downtown Ann Arbor has residents urging their neighbors to help put a stop to the noise disruptions.
"If you are tired of Christman Constructors continuing to use your neighborhood during weekend hours and throughout the night, you can contact your 5th Ward representatives at the numbers listed below," read notices posted on residences along Division south of Liberty.
Concrete trucks line up along South Division Street, between Liberty and William, in downtown Ann Arbor last Saturday for a two-day-straight concrete pour. The work disrupted residents who are now circulating fliers to stop the noise.
Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.com
The notices, signed by "concerned S. Division neighbors," are posted outside apartments along the east side of Division that actually are in the city's 1st Ward.
But they still encourage residents to call 5th Ward Council Members Mike Anglin and Carsten Hohnke, whose wards include the area across the street, including the project site.
"You may contact your representatives by leaving a message up to once daily with the suggestion that the staging area for mass concrete placement operations be relocated to S. Fifth Ave., which is not a residential area," the notices read.
Anglin said he hasn't taken any calls yet. Hohnke couldn't be reached for comment.
The noise and traffic disruptions are related to the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority's $50 million underground parking structure project. Christman is the construction manager and is in charge of the crews doing the work.
Pat Podges, Christman's vice president, said last weekend's two-day concrete pour, which was noisy and lasted throughout Saturday night, was an exception to the rule. He said crews typically have worked within the normal 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. hours, per city rules.
"We have not directly, to the best of my knowledge, received any direct complaints," he said. "We certainly recognize that last weekend was pushing the limits of patience, but the depth of that pour mandated that we had one continuous operation until we got it done."
Ralph Fischetti, who lives on Division Street near Liberty, said the noise would have been more tolerable if the machines used to make the concrete had been located further from where people live.
"It was tough," said Fischetti. "They worked from Saturday morning all the way until Sunday at 4. I couldn't get to sleep. I understand that they've got to do what they've got to do, I just don't want it to happen again."
The project is expected to last through the rest of this year. Podges said Christman eventually will move its staging area to South Fifth Avenue, which remains closed to traffic.
Christman's lane closure permit for South Division Street ends March 18 and any equipment in the area must be vacated from the roadway at that point.
Podges said there may be occasional concrete pours that require staging on Division. But if any work extends beyond normal working hours, Christman will have to apply for permits.
Podges said there might have been about a half-dozen times so far that Christman pulled extended hours permits during the project, which started last year.
John Brink, civil engineering specialist in the city's project management unit, said Christman and its subcontractors have followed all city rules and handled last weekend's event well.
"There's extended-hours permits that must be filled out and applied for and gotten," he said. "Prior to last weekend, message boards were put up, fliers were handed out door-to-door multiple dates ahead, and on multiple dates, so it's been above and beyond."
Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. Freelance reporter Lisa Carolin contributed to this report.
Comments
leaguebus
Tue, Mar 8, 2011 : 2:02 p.m.
The city needs to move Mr Fischetti out to a motel, just like they did for the Y residents a few years ago. .LOL
abc
Mon, Mar 7, 2011 : 3:54 a.m.
I can't but think of suckling pigs when I see concrete trucks all snuggled up so tight like this.
Wolf's Bane
Mon, Mar 7, 2011 : 5:35 p.m.
Very funny. :)
DDOT1962
Mon, Mar 7, 2011 : 12:33 p.m.
lol...good one. ;-)
OLDTIMER3
Sun, Mar 6, 2011 : 9:36 p.m.
Have these people ever considered purchasing a few earplugs at a dollar a pack? People who have to work the night shift have to listen to this everyday and they aren't complaining.
5c0++ H4d13y
Sun, Mar 6, 2011 : 9:05 p.m.
I kinda lick construction sounds. Maybe if I had to listen a compressor for 36 hours it would drive me nuts. Sometime the dump trucks bang their doors to shake the dirt loose. That's too loud. For the most part it reminds me to stop goofing off.
jcj
Sun, Mar 6, 2011 : 8:50 p.m.
It is unfortunate that a few have to suffer for the good of many. (Not that I am sure how good this is) But it would be interesting to know just how many are complaining. I doubt the number reaches double digits!
emma jean
Sun, Mar 6, 2011 : 8:02 p.m.
On the plus side, it is true that this project is creating jobs. However, it is also true that residents should expect some consideration. As I live on Packard, the cement trucks on this project have been barreling down the road at excessive speeds which makes more noise and, for the weekend in question, continued all night and day. Also to be considered is that the increased traffic on Packard is destroying the pavement. I guess they are creating jobs for the road repair that will be needed...and that is a good thing... as viewed by some!
sun runner
Sun, Mar 6, 2011 : 4:45 p.m.
Construction crews working for Chelsea Milling Company (aka Jiffy Mix) recently erected six new grain storage silos which required an 86-hour continuous concrete pour. No one in the adjacent neighborhoods complained about it. Welcome to the sound of economic recovery.
bruno_uno
Sun, Mar 6, 2011 : 3:56 p.m.
didnt Jerusalem Garden and Herb David Guitar Studio sue the city (taxpayers) over this very same problem? Is the contractor in violation of the consent judgement on this matter?
Random Man
Sun, Mar 6, 2011 : 3:44 p.m.
The concrete trucks were almost as disturbing as the bar crowd letting out at 2 am or the fire, rescue and police vehicles responding to accidents. I think the only difference was that the construction company had to apply for permits, notify all of the neighbors in advance and try to address concerns to minimize distrubances as much as possible.
Tim Darton
Sun, Mar 6, 2011 : 3:34 p.m.
I feel bad for the people who have to put up with the noise but it won't last long. This project is great for downtown, for the whole city and region because a vibrant downtown brings people, companies, and JOBS! This is a pro jobs, pro business, pro city project all the way. Hundreds of jobs provided by the construction, $$ pumped into the community, much needed parking if the community wants to maintain a vibrant downtown that will attract business and a great time to do it when the economy is down, interest rates are low and jobs are needed more than ever. And before anyone says it, its all paid for with $$ that could not be spent on salaries for police or firefighters or whatever. This is DDA money that by law has to be spent in the downtown.
Davidian
Sun, Mar 6, 2011 : 3:17 p.m.
I was in a similar situation years ago. It drove me nuts. However, I realized that complaining would only make it worse. There is an unavoidable amount of construction that must be done. I would rather have done quicly than to have it drag out over time. Either way, there's going to be considerable noise. Just accept the situation. Life isn't fair or perfect, and Ann Arbor isn't either. Deal with it.
logo
Sun, Mar 6, 2011 : 2:18 p.m.
Construction is the sound of jobs, people working. I doubt anyone on this street even knows anyone who works construction. But I can tell you this and the other work going on in Ann Arbor is keeping hundreds of people in their homes, with their kids in school at a time when so many workers have had to leave this state. If you think about it this is the perfect time for this project. Its employing a lot of workers and the city would have gotten a rock bottom interest rate as well. Everybody is talking about jobs, jobs, jobs. Well here they are and they are good ones too. It makes a noise now and then, so what?
Wolf's Bane
Sun, Mar 6, 2011 : 2:03 p.m.
For a moment there, I thought this was an April 1st Fool's Day prank?! C'mon, people, construction is entering the critical phase... just a few more months and then we can then all rejoice as Division opens up again for traffic. Of course, it will have to be repaved after that sort of traffic (heavy machinery etc.) it's been used for, but so what?
Radar
Sun, Mar 6, 2011 : 1:54 p.m.
Sure, let's blame the contractor for the disruption for building a City project. News Flash!!, Noise, trucks and other problems come with any construction project. This contractor does better than any other contractor in Ann Arbor informing the neighbors and trying to avoid the problems that come with any large project. They have to get approvals and City permits before they do anything. The contractor informed the City and the public weeks ahead of time about this one time, over night, concrete pour that occured a week ago. Why is this current news?
Ignatz
Sun, Mar 6, 2011 : 1:48 p.m.
Don't folks realize that they live in a city? Cities have buildings. Buildings just don't appear overnight. I understand that so much noise over such a long stretch of time can get on one's nerves, but to impede the progression will only prolong not only the noise, but traffic implications, as well.
zollar
Sun, Mar 6, 2011 : 1:29 p.m.
You can whine all you want, construction crews aren't going to change their schedule.
Hammer
Sun, Mar 6, 2011 : 1:05 p.m.
Perfect excuse to get out of town next time.
worldchamp
Sun, Mar 6, 2011 : 12:23 p.m.
What a bunch of Whiner's
TLBeadle
Sun, Mar 6, 2011 : 1:08 p.m.
a bunch of whiner's WHAT? do you live in the Division St area?