Solar panels, electric car charging stations planned for downtown Ann Arbor parking structure
Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority officials are making plans for 22 electric car charging stations in a new underground parking structure taking shape on South Fifth Avenue.
That was always part of the project, but executive director Susan Pollay said today the DDA is now seeking grant funds to assist with the costs and also to install a large solar panel system at the entrance on Library Lane.
Ann Arbor DDA officials released this drawing today of what a large solar panel system outside the new underground parking structure might look like. The panels would be placed above the entrance off Library Lane.
Additionally, the DDA is hoping for grant money to purchase two electric vehicles that Republic Parking's IT staff would use when performing maintenance at parking structures downtown.
"We're hoping to hear fairly shortly whether we might receive these things," Pollay said. "It's just another step in our quest to have a parking deck with as many sustainable elements and have as little impact environmentally as possible."
Pollay delivered the news today at a meeting of the DDA's Operations Committee. She said the DDA is partnering with the Clean Energy Coalition through the Michigan Green Fleets initiative to make the grant application to the U.S. Department of Energy.
Over the next 15 months, Pollay said, the DDA plans to transition a portion of its fleet to operate on electricity by purchasing two plug-in vehicles. During the same period, the DDA plans to install 22 charging stations — including some solar energy charging stations — in the new parking garage at a cost of $203,600.
Susan Pollay
The solar energy system would cost another $154,100, and the two electric vehicles would cost $135,600. The DDA is asking the Department of Energy for $359,700 of the $493,300 cost for those purchases.
In addition, the DDA estimates it will cost nearly $1.2 million for the development of the 22 parking spaces as part of the larger project. Pollay has said there will be conduits for expansion if demand warrants opening up more plug-in spaces.
In other action at today's meeting, DDA Deputy Director Joe Morehouse gave a report on the organization's unaudited year-end financial statements for 2009-10. The reports show spending came in lower than expected, but the DDA still is running a deficit budget.
The DDA projected in March it would end this year $5.3 million in the red, though that's being done purposely to pay for the parking structure project and related infrastructure improvements. Actual spending, as reported today, came in at $24.1 million, while revenue came in at $20.8 million, meaning the deficit turned out to be $3.3 million.
"We did better than we had budgeted," Morehouse said, adding the DDA was able to curtail costs in some areas, and bonds for the new parking structure ended up being less than expected.
Within the DDA's TIF fund, which is the money it collects from taxes, spending for 2009-10 came in at $4.47 million, which was 22 percent under budget, but still led to a $674,450 deficit.
Joe Morehouse
Parking revenues came in at $14.6 million, about $378,388 short of budget. Reports show the DDA expected the Forest Avenue parking structure to bring in $243,392 more than it did.
Overall, parking fund expenses came in at $17.7 million, which was about 10 percent under budget but still led to a $3.1 million deficit when factoring capital expenses. Operationally, however, the parking system turned a profit of about $2.6 million this past year.
Of the 15 parking structures or lots that the DDA manages, all but four turned a profit. Fourth and Washington was the biggest money loser, costing the DDA about $379,069 more than it made. The DDA also lost about $8,358 on meters and meter bags.
The most profitable parking structure was Liberty Square, which brought in nearly $1 million after costs. The Ann and Ashley structure turned a profit of $680,753, and the Maynard structure made a profit of $526,964.
DDA officials also relayed a report today showing parking revenues during the Ann Arbor Art Fairs were down $25,950 this year. Most of that was a result of the Library Lot being closed for construction of the new underground parking structure.
Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529.
Comments
Mick52
Thu, Aug 26, 2010 : 5:01 p.m.
I'm with those questioning the expense here. Is $68k for two vehicles appropriate spending, electric or not? Does Mercedes Benz make these cars? Cars to tend to crash too. Better not drive them. For that kind of dough, would it not be better to buy four Honda Civics? Or a hundred golf carts? This extravaganza depends on federal grants. If they are not approved, then what? This is a good example of the problem with the "green" movement in transportation. The cars are expensive. If this plan goes into effect, it will be to serve wealthy people, while everyone bears the cost of providing their expensive parking spaces. How ironic the wealthy can buy the cars, but we pay for their parking spaces. It's not cost effective. You do not buy an electric or hybrid car for that reason. You only do it because of your concern for the environment. A Toyota sales person told me that when I asked about the high price of a Prius. You never recoup the cost in fuel savings, unless gas prices go well over what we have seen as in summer 2008. I question whether or not tax dollars should go to something like this.
DagnyJ
Thu, Aug 26, 2010 : 10:53 a.m.
Green is not always bad. But green sometimes misses the forest for the trees. Case in point: disposable diapers. Which is more devastating to the environment: using cloth or disposables? Answer is cloth because of the cradle-to-grave impact. But many "green" people think they are doing a good thing with disposables. Likewise electric cars. Where does electricity come from? Guess what? In this state 59% of electricity is generated by burning coal or oil. So, is it more efficient to burn oil to get electricity to power a car, or burn oil directly to power a car? Which is more polluting? Seems to me that the electric car thing could be more polluting overall, especially considering the hazardous heavy metals that are used in batteries. To our city officials: Please get all the facts before you waste of dwindling resources on more green stuff. Thank you.
Trepang674
Thu, Aug 26, 2010 : 10:16 a.m.
Great Idea to get the electric cars out front...it won't be long and 22 spaces will be too few...hope they are planning for more down the road.
racerx
Thu, Aug 26, 2010 : 9:35 a.m.
Will those 22 parking spaces be in the front? This way the city can then show-off how green they are. Meanwhile, my 1988 Oldsmobile Delta Rocket 88 that gets 9mpg will have to park in the lower level and circle all the way down to find a park, thus, wasting more gas that will sure to have gone up to $3.05 per gallon since there will be delays to the structure being built. Why not have the cars that waste more gas travel less, and have them park in front? This way those electric cars can afford to circle to the lower levels since they waste less energy?!? This goes for Hybrids too!
Brad
Thu, Aug 26, 2010 : 7:55 a.m.
Sounds like a poor and extravagant use of funds to me. Sure, they plan to get most of it from the Feds, but as it turns out, I contribute to them, too. Overpriced "charging stations" to charge nonexistent electric cars? Swell. But then we'll "be like Boulder", except that Boulder isn't in a state with a devastated economy.
peg dash fab
Thu, Aug 26, 2010 : 7:32 a.m.
Thank you, DagnyJ, for reminding us that green is always bad.
DagnyJ
Thu, Aug 26, 2010 : 7:25 a.m.
I'd like to see the DDA's research showing that citizens in this area own electric cars that require them to be charged. Also, who is paying for the electricity drawn at these charging stations? And who is cleaning up the air pollution caused by the generation of electricity? The DDA has fallen into the "green is always good" trap. Show us the research that this is cost effective and truly greener. Also, remember that the DDA is stacked with a bunch of green nuts appointed by the Mayor.
mrblond
Wed, Aug 25, 2010 : 5:43 p.m.
In the article it says "DDA plans to transition a portion of its fleet to operate on electricity by purchasing two plug-in vehicles" I know this isn't exactly on point, but can someone comment on How many vehicles are owned by the DDA and what exactly do they use this fleet for? Just curious.
Urban Sombrero
Wed, Aug 25, 2010 : 5:05 p.m.
Just exactly how many electric cars do we have at any given time in Ann Arbor? The idea is noble, but I think 22 spaces may be overkill.
K Thompson
Wed, Aug 25, 2010 : 5:04 p.m.
The picture shows above-ground parking, but the article states underground parking. Why have misleading graphics? (some kind of 'graven images'!) And as previous comment shows, "$9,000 per charging station (x 22, of course), and about $68k for each of two electric cars." - "Do the math!" How long will it take for $1.20/hr (etc.) parking pay for that?!!!
Atlas Shrugged
Wed, Aug 25, 2010 : 4:36 p.m.
Hmm. If I read the article correctly, the cost is going to be roughly $9,000 per charging station (x 22, of course), and about $68k for each of two electric cars. Sounds a little extravagant to me, but of course it'll all be "green." That certainly must justify the expense.
Energy_Credits
Wed, Aug 25, 2010 : 3:17 p.m.
Great article. Good for them. It's also worth noting now lucrative the federal credit for homeowner solar panels actually is. 30% of the cost of installation. And as long as it's installed between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2016, there is no maximum credit. So $10,000 installation = $3,000 credit. Not bad. More info below http://energycredits.com/consumer-tax-credits/so lar-power-tax-credits/