Portion of Fifth Avenue in downtown Ann Arbor to close; business owner worries about impact
An AATA bus drives past the construction site for the underground parking structure off South Fifth Avenue, which will see a portion closed starting Wednesday.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
Editor's note: This story has been updated with information about motorist access to the Federal Building.
Local business owner Ali Ramlawi expects the next year will a difficult one.
His downtown Ann Arbor restaurant, Jerusalem Garden, is in the 300 block of South Fifth Avenue between Liberty and William streets - a portion of the road that will close for about a year beginning Wednesday due to the South Fifth Avenue underground parking structure project.
“We anticipate loss. We anticipate going into the red,” Ramlawi said while sitting in the patio area outside his restaurant as the day’s lunch rush was coming to a lull. “When you lose 20 to 30 percent of your business, you lose 40 to 60 percent of your profits.”
Robert Snyder, president of the South University Neighborhood Association, said he was surprised when he recently learned of the upcoming road closure.
“The council knowing is not anywhere near (the same as) the public knowing,” Snyder said. “City hall is not very good at getting information out - they mostly have to do damage control.”
Business owners along South Fifth Avenue worry about the impact of the road closure.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
Ramlawi says he has known about the plan to close a portion of South Fifth Avenue for about six months, but “there has not been an official statement” made concerning the closure.
“It hasn’t been very effectively communicated,” he said.
Susan Pollay, executive director of the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority, said "a lot of planning has been done to help lessen the impact of the road closure on businesses and services, such as the nearby restaurants and the Ann Arbor District Library."
Pollay said the aim is to reopen the road in "early fall 2011."
"It's thinking about all of the ways we, as a community, use that block and accommodating those uses," Pollay said.
Pollay added the DDA has been "talking to (affected business owners) from the beginning," and two signs have been posted on Fifth Avenue to let the public know about the upcoming road closure.
"We're very concerned about them, very aware of the fragility of these businesses," she said. "We've been meeting with them. ... We're in their restaurants all the time."
Ann Arbor Transportation Authority buses will also be impacted by the closure. Three bus boarding locations at the Blake Transit Center will be relocated Wednesday. As a result, "routes 1, 15 and 18 will board passengers along the west side of Fourth Avenue just north of William Street next to the Fourth and William parking structure," the AATA said in a release.
Motorists will no longer be able to access parking and post office drop boxes on the east side of the Federal Building at Fifth Avenue and Liberty Street, but several temporary 10-minute parking spaces are being added along Liberty Street in front of the building, said Pat Cawley, senior project manager with the city's project management unit. Also, mail drop boxes will be added at Liberty Street and Fifth Avenue, he said.
Snyder said he's concerned about how the road closure could impact Jerusalem Garden and neighboring business Earthen Jar. Snyder said he “doesn’t buy” the argument that because the two businesses are “walk-up” businesses, they won’t be adversely effected.
“Don’t say it won’t hurt these businesses because nobody drives to them. ... If that’s what you believe then put your money where your mouth is and make these businesses whole,” Snyder said. “I don’t think anyone at city hall would be daring enough to do that.”
Brahmoin Sethi said she and her parents, Push Sethi and Guchi Sethi, owners of Earthen Jar, aren't worried about the road closure.
"We're just fine by it because it has to happen," Sethi said. She said it's possible business could be affected, but "we're not really concerned. I think people will adjust just as well as we do."
To provide more seating and increase the visibility of the two businesses, Pollay said a "platform dining area" will be built in the closed portion of the road.
"It will feel like an extension of the sidewalk, into the street," Pollay said. "My anticipation is that we will begin work on it next week."
Pollay said signs will also be posted to let the public know the businesses are open during the road closure.
Ramlawi said it’s the duration of the road closure that has him most worried.
“You work so hard to build your business, then something like this happens and it’s out of your control,” Ramlawi said. “We are going to be isolated from foot traffic, from car traffic.”
Heather Lockwood is a reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at heatherlockwood@annarbor.com or 734-623-2536. You can also follow her on Twitter.
Comments
Somewhat Concerned
Thu, Aug 5, 2010 : 5:57 p.m.
The three businesses are three of the few local businesses left that aren't chains like the Mainstreet Ventures restaurants or Five Guys or Starbucks. Herb David Guitar Studio is a good place - well known among musicians and a real contributor to local music and kids trying to learn music. Whether one likes the food at the two restaurants or not, they are distinctive - part of what used to make Ann Arbor different from every other town across the country with the same restaurants. Too bad progress (if that's what the parking lot is - and perhaps it is) can't be made without jeopardizing three of the few remaining Ann Arbor, non-chain businesses.
Castanza
Wed, Aug 4, 2010 : 2:45 p.m.
@ Lokalisierung: "It's worth millions to put J Garden out of business" I think that is execatly how the DDA mission statement reads- "drive local instituitions out of business". This remark, like most of your others lack wisdom and intellect.
Jay Allen
Wed, Aug 4, 2010 : 2:37 p.m.
sjausi. I no longer own a restaurant. Even when things are good, low profit margins at best. I think it is great that there are folks who want to try their hand in owning a restaurant, but for the hours you put in, no way. But thanks for asking.
peg dash fab
Wed, Aug 4, 2010 : 9:57 a.m.
i ate at jerusalem garden once and the greasy gut bombs they serve made me ill. i think they could improve their profitability by serving better food. just sayin'
Michael Christie
Wed, Aug 4, 2010 : 12:35 a.m.
Living at 322 E. Liberty street has been a challenge for all of us in this area. The DDA is the worst with communicating what the real plan is for road closures, power outages, and construction plans. The city of Ann Arbor says they want people to live downtown, but the lack of communication on city projects or what they approve as city projects are just unbelievable. (see the condo at Ashley/Huron bankruptcy, $23 million for a bridge at State/Stadium, and the lack of a green downtown park and Liberty plaza being a slum park) I still can't understand why politicians won't involve the residents and tax payers for that matter with city business, as they certainly don't know the first clue of running a business or the treatment of citizens.
Stupid Hick
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 11:05 p.m.
I would go to J Garden or Earthen Jar more often when it was possible to park at what used to be the library lot. They're great restaurants and a good value. I hope the construction can be finished more quickly, before it kills them or any other local businesses.
rulieg
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 10:22 p.m.
yeah, bringing up the neverending Stadium reconstruction is bad salesmanship. that has not been a shining moment in A2 transportation history. the worst thing about this Fifth Ave thing is the reason why they're closing the street. they're building an underground parking structure, which many people--and most women, I would bet--don't like. they're always slightly claustrophobic and I for one don't plan to ever use it if I can help it. "boondoggle" sounds about right.
Speechless
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 5:27 p.m.
"... Many more businesses were affected when W. Stadium was re-constructed...." That's right, and little has been said about that by the city's political factions. Not for nothing have the most vocal adversaries of city council sometimes been referred to as "The Loyal Opposition." The dueling factions present two different takes on a largely downtown-centric set of local priorities. Neither side shows a great deal of interest in the rest of the city as a whole. Most opponents stayed quiet while major work on W. Stadium got underway. Later on, a few Lesko-ites complained when a bike lane began to appear. That said, the city owes the main library branch, Jerusalem Garden and Earthen Jar the consideration of making their stability and continued survival a special priority during the many months of street closure. And hopefully the city has attempted to provide a healthy degree of support along W. Stadium. "...I think everyone would agree that the result [on W. Stadium] has been worthwhile." As far as the boulevard is concerned, Joan's comment should be accurate, despite the haters of west side bikes lanes and pedestrian crosswalks who dutifully cast their vote for Lesko today. As for the future of the library lot, the jury remains very much out on whether the community will consider the final results worthwhile. The local verdict may lead to exoneration or to mistrial.
bluetonguedlizard
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 4:58 p.m.
@announcerman, are those businesses you own restaurants?
Jay Allen
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 4:45 p.m.
aaparent. I have ran by there for many years, driven by there too. No, I have never eaten there as that type of cuisine does not interest me. But I am truly sorry, you are walking to the restaurant anyways and if you LIKE the establishment, you'll bear with it. castanza. Same castanza from AE? LOL I own TWO business, sorry to inform you. Can the numbers be skewed to make this true? Yes, I said that, ON PAPER liars use numbers and numbers lie. But if ANY business [
katie
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 4:19 p.m.
When eat at these restaurants we like to eat on the outside patio. There's very little room there as it is. Eating outside should be a unique experience with the construction going on. Or will that not be available. I voted for Lesko today. I wasn't thrilled with the choice, but I just hate these big expensive projects that the city is saddling us with. I guess if these small restaurants go out of business the land might then be available for some other big developer? More of what makes Ann Arbor special will be gone. I have avoided Stadium during construction, too. It's just too long a detour to make it worth the time and gasoline. Having both post offices be difficult to get to will be a problem for a lot of folks, I'm guessing. If Lesko doesn't win, I'm hoping her margin will be large enough to get the message across. Or maybe they just don't care.
Lokalisierung
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 4:12 p.m.
J-Garden crying about this...how shocking! This parking lot alone is worth millions if it runs that place out of business.
Castanza
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 3:38 p.m.
@ announcer man 007: It's clear you have never ran a business.
Jon Saalberg
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 1:03 p.m.
I can't begin to express my excitement over yet another parking structure that will never be filled. Why have just a couple of partially filled parking garages, when our town can have several? I agree with the general disgust over this needless project, but I believe the city could not have used that money for the disintegrating Stadium bridge. Anyway, I thought the process (or lack thereof) is to let the bridge fall into such disrepair that some miraculous federal funding will become available to pay for the bridge's reconstruction. That, or the bridge will just be closed, and we will have the road to nowhere.
aaparent
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 12:35 p.m.
@announcerman007 -- have you eaten at Jerusalem Garden? The restaurant is really small and access to it will be blocked because of the construction. If the restaurant cuts staff or downsizes it will be a manhole instead of tiny walk-in restaurant. Your suggestion to stop complaining is a fair point. The owners could do more advertising on the corner of Fifth and liberty to remind pedestrians that a Chicken Shwarma sandwich or cheap lentil soup are only a few steps away. I do not understand why the city of Ann Arbor is building the new parking structure and wants a new hotel.
deb
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 11:39 a.m.
I dont like lesko, but I dont like the shenanigans our current officals pull either. I just dont know why we need this. Couldn't we have built another parking strucutre between first and ashley, where we used to have one that had to be taken down? I am sure I am missing some information. Oh and before someone answers me, walk the five extra blocks.
Jay Allen
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 11:28 a.m.
Craig, you need to open your eyes here. Just because it is in print on the internet and is a direct quote by a person does not make it true. Stop crunching numbers, we are not trying to prove a 6th grade algebra problem. Is it possible? Yes, of course. But if ANY company saw a 20% - 30% loss is GROSS INCOME and that loss resulted in a 40% - 60% loss is PROFIT then that business is not being run properly and is looking for a Government hand out. In my example above, it takes MORE staff, MORE product, MORE energy, MORE of EVERYTHING on a Friday/Saturday night. If you disagree with this then we are having a debate that is beyond worthless. So if a business has the SAME staff on a Monday day shift where business 20% - 30% LESS and still has the SAME staff, then yes, I can agree with you. And that business will be crying about a road being closed that has no bearing on it's true means of business. Walking in, not drive by. Common sense is not too common these days.
Craig Lounsbury
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 11:18 a.m.
It is distinctly possible for a small business to see a profit loss in the 40-60% range with a 30% loss in business. For anyone to suggest its not possible is simply incorrect. Unless you have intimate details of the business in question we are speaking in generalities. A small business may have significant fixed overhead relative to variable overhead.
genericreg
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 11:10 a.m.
I notice they also tear up the brand new "environmental" lot they just put in. Not environmental to replace before necessary.
Justin Guglielmotti
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 10:48 a.m.
The reason for the attempted loss of business is due to people never, NEVER use the crosswalks and cut across 5th right at the BTC(Blake Transit Center to those who don't know) to walk to Jerusalem Garden and Earthen Jar. Even to the library as stated in a comment earlier that is incorrect the parking lot behind the library is for the library staff only there is a sign posted with 24 hour enforcement. Detouring traffic onto first street would be a nightmare because first street is only one way and goes south out of Ann Arbor. Main runs both ways and connects both ends and is a way for the bus routes to detour safely back to the BTC. Why also can't they do something to keep the sidewalk open without disturbing the businesses like they did with the waterline project that was done through there in late June early July? and there has never EVER been parking on 5th for those places since you are never allowed to park on 5th to begin with. Its a major through street. I commend those who sacrificed the parking on 5th for the post office so they could use that for the busses to get into BTC otherwise the whole bus system would be totally screwed up and bus detours would be major instead of minor. Imagine a bus detour of 15 minutes instead of 5 minutes. It doesn't take much effort for the normal person to walk into the post office, just get out of the car.
Jay Allen
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 10:31 a.m.
Craig Lounsbury. Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't the term "profit" a result of an equation based off of "gross"? We are not arguing the delta change in profit, that is arguing semantics. Fixed costs are; Rent/Lease/Mortgage; Taxes. A good business owner will reduce the over head when the gross is less. In this case, wait staff, kitchen staff, bussers, etc. We are not even talking about the reduction of food products purchased, heating/AC costs, water, etc. Example: Take any restaurant in general. There is more staff on a Friday or Saturday night than on a Monday afternoon. There is more of everything being used during a busy time. Agreed? Thus, if your business gross proceeds did fall 20% - 30%, then you had better adjust staff, etc to reflect this. Just like is done with ANY flourishing business at lean hours vs busy hours. And like has been stated, the PARKING is not affected and I just cannot grasp that this business relies on drive by traffic. The sidewalk is still open, you still can WALK to this business. What I see is a struggling business based on tough economic times laying blame where it does not need to be put. To Mr. Bob Needham: Sorry about my last comment, I could not resist! LOL
xmo
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 10:24 a.m.
We should treat this like the oil spill in the Gulf, AATA & DDA can set up a slush fund that will pay the business owners for losses while construction is going on. After all, its only money and people in Ann Arbor should not worry about material things.
PersonX
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 10:20 a.m.
It is not only Jerusalem Garden, but also the restaurant next door, which relied quite a bit on its outdoor patio, that will be seriously impacted by this construction folly. The DDA, which prides itself on supporting downtown business, should seriously consider some form of compensation to these small businesses. Just because they are not mass-production Main Street mediocrities does not mean that they should be sacrificed to some imaginary future financial corporate benefit. This whole affair is shameful.
ShadowManager
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 10:10 a.m.
That stupid library parking lot is a debacle.
Craig Lounsbury
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 9:48 a.m.
TheAnnouncerMan007 says "Seriously, really? Did you attend the Ross Perot school of fuzzy math? I am not a finance major, but in many ways the above quote is wrong." I have a business that grosses 100 apples a week. I have fixed overhead of 50 apples leaving me a 50 apple profit. My business drops by 30% leaving me with 70 apples a week gross. But my fixed overhead stays at 50 apples leaving me with a 20 apple profit. So my profit went from 50 apples to 20 apples, a 60% loss of profit when my business dropped 30%
Bob Needham
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 9:34 a.m.
(Two off-topic comments removed)
Jay Allen
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 9:29 a.m.
This is awesome. Liberals complaining about the folks they elected who in turn are liberal. Euphoria if you ask me.......
Rod Johnson
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 9:24 a.m.
I have been wondering why truck traffic is being detoured onto Main instead of First. Main is bad already, but that sounds like a nightmare. What gives?
a2grateful
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 9:20 a.m.
"Many more businesses were affected when West Stadium was re-constructed but I think everyone would agree that the result has been worthwhile." Except, that West Stadium was reconstructed for general public use... the parking garage is for the folly hotel and folly conference center, both private profit making endeavors, gifted by the city... What did we miss in our visionary priority list? Speaking of Stadium reconstruction... consider it a 3-phase project, with the missing phase being $30 million for Stadium Bridge reconstruction, to be used by many... in contrast to $60 million for underground parking to be used by few, supporting out of town development profiteers... Thanks for that reminder, DDA... (dduh)
DagnyJ
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 9:19 a.m.
How nice that city officials have all it all under control! EXCEPT that they are spending how many millions of dollars for an underground parking structure? How close is the structure to hell?
Susan Pollay, A2 DDA
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 9:10 a.m.
Theres some misperceptions, so I thought to provide correct information: * The sidewalk to Jerusalem Garden will remain open throughout. * Nearly a dozen free 10-minute parking spaces have been installed on E. Liberty right in front of the post office. * There are still lots of options to cut through downtown southbound including S. Fourth Ave, S. Main, S. First and S. State Street. * The Blake Transit Center will remain open throughout * The parking lot at the corner of Fifth/William will remain available as it is today to serve Library patrons and others Please call the DDA (734/994-6697) if we can answer questions - or find more information on the street closure and the project on our website: www.a2dda.org/current_projects/s_fifth_ave_parking_structure_project/ Susan Pollay, Ann Arbor DDA
Jay Allen
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 9:07 a.m.
Once again, people do not READ what the words say. Then in this case, think about them for oh, say about 2 minutes. First, YES, without a doubt, it is an inconvenience to close 5th ave. Yes, closing it for a period of 1 year seems on the surface ludicrous, but to those folks complaining, how many of you are in the construction business and can speak on this topic based on experience? I'm not, I can admit it so for me to whine about it is silly and uses bandwidth unnecessarily. Continuing, and this is where it gets good, please tell me where on 5th Street there a parking lot that is affected by this? Not the Federal Building either.......There isn't. The lot on William and 5th is still very much accessible off of William. This is the closest lot to the businesses in question, period. ie, You must WALK to get to the businesses anyways. I see this a lot in the field I am in. A business is not doing well and then uses anything possible to grasp onto in an attempt to mask the real issue. The businesses on the portion of 5th to be closed rely on drive by traffic to prosper? You're kidding, right? The mentality shown thus far can be illustrated in the body of the article then attempted to be solidified by a2grateful: "We anticipate loss. We anticipate going into the red," Ramlawi said while sitting in the patio area outside his restaurant as the days lunch rush was coming to a lull. "When you lose 20 to 30 percent of your business, you lose 40 to 60 percent of your profits." Seriously, really? Did you attend the Ross Perot school of fuzzy math? I am not a finance major, but in many ways the above quote is wrong. Why is it that folks in and around A^2 feel the need to complain so much? I know why, but it is election day and I won't go there.
Joan Lowenstein
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 9 a.m.
There will be some free parking spaces on Liberty for Post Office customers. The DDA has worked with the Post Office and all the other stakeholders, including the Library, to make sure pedestrian traffic is not impeded. Customers can still park at Fourth & William and the "old Y" lot, so the amount of parking won't be different than it has been since the Library Lot closed. The new underground garage goes under Fifth Avenue and that's why the street has to be closed. When it is finished, there will be a ramp on Fifth Avenue for access to the parking. Many more businesses were affected when West Stadium was re-constructed but I think everyone would agree that the result has been worthwhile.
Bob Needham
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 8:53 a.m.
The city's official order which can be found here includes this: "A restricted one-way lane will be provided on the west side of S. Fifth Avenue between Liberty and William Street for use by AATA buses and authorized Federal Building tenants. "South bound vehicle traffic will be detoured at Beakes south to First Street, east at William Street. Southbound truck traffic will be detoured at Beakes to Main Street." We'll try to get more information on the post office aspect.
keri
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 8:39 a.m.
I have not heard anything about how this closure will affect access to the Post Office. Is it possible for AA.com to get a comment from that entity as well?
Plubius
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 8:33 a.m.
While having to close the road for a period of time is understandable, that it will be closed for a year speaks to the total incompetence of everyone involved with the project. To put things in perspective - the Empire State Building was completed in 410 days. If they were as inept as the group building this parking lot, they would probably be working on the 74th floor by now...
Bonsai
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 8:14 a.m.
anyone remember this article, from this site, posted not six months ago? http://www.annarbor.com/news/ann-arbor-plaintiffs-come-to-terms-over-parking-structure-lawsuits/ also, what are the detours going tobe?
HPD
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 8:08 a.m.
It occurs to me that with a headline, "Portion of Fifth Avenue in downtown Ann Arbor to close," the article might identify the "Where, " as in what portion of Fifth Ave. Hmmmmmm.
DagnyJ
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 7:53 a.m.
Brilliant idea. In the middle of the worst economic downturn, close all the roads and sidewalks so no one can get to struggling businesses. Is this an election ploy by the mayor and the incumbents? ABTM. Anybody But The Mayor.
Brad
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 7:52 a.m.
Let's not forget that Fifth is a major N-S path through town, just like Division. There really is not a good substitute, either. Is there any price they won't pay for another fricking parking lot? Clowns.
lisasimpson
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 7:45 a.m.
I used to drive to downtown Ann Arbor from Ypsilanti specifically to go to The Earthen Jar. My frequency used to be about 5 times a month; now it's down to about one visit a month, because there's nowhere to park anymore!! You cannot say that these two restaurants are "walk-up" businesses. It is simply not true.
a2grateful
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 7:16 a.m.
So we'll whine about whining... : )
krc
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 7:16 a.m.
I read it twice and couldn't find where it said the sidewalk would be closed (please correct me if I'm wrong). Earthen Jar building a platform out into the closed portion of the street kind of negates that idea. It will probably be an inconvenience to access these two businesses, but loyal customers won't care.
Rasputin
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 7:01 a.m.
Unfortunately, upgrades to infrastructure requires the closing of streets to get the job done. Please stop whining. It is not news to whine.
a2grateful
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 6:54 a.m.
When you lose 20 to 30 percent of your business, you lose 40 to 60 percent of your profits. Sounds more like the banks that hold the mortgages will be whining...
Marshall Applewhite
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 6:50 a.m.
"We're just fine by it because it has to happen," Sethi said. She said it's possible business could be affected, but "we're not really concerned. I think people will adjust just as well as we do." It appears the owners have the right mindset here.......not the "sky is falling" mentality of 90% of annarbor.com readership. I'm sure this won't stop people from whining, though, because people here really like to whine.
a2grateful
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 6:09 a.m.
And so it goes with the mayor, council, and DDA pet plans and projects: The council knowing is not anywhere near (the same as) the public knowing. Now the public knows that the precious longtime businesses face closure, and that portion of the historic district is destroyed... Maybe the city will give them a "break" on some space in the Hieftje Hotel and Conference Center. Fraser actually has it right... "end the DDA"... However, wait for Rapundalo Pollay's pronouncement that the Hotel and Conference Center is viable and vibrant, and will be built... Maybe as soon as tomorrow? Change the headline: "Valiant Sanford Magic Rub Eraser rubs out local business and historic district in one quick flick of the wrist... " Think that's bad? Wait until you see what it does to the city's economic viability...
HENRYK
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 5:55 a.m.
At first I thought that all of us A2 residents would just walk down to Jerusalem Garden and give them the support and business they need to get past this, I have been a long time customer and this place has always served the best food in a great atmosphere at a very good price. Then I got to the part where they are closing it off to foot traffic also,how is this place to survive. Doe not seem right to me.