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 Sun, Mar 10, 2013 : noon

Ypsilanti asks residents for ideas on improving city as planners develop long-term plan

By Tom Perkins

What do residents what to see changed, built or improved on in Ypsilanti?

They will have the chance to give their two cents next week as the city continues its master plan design process that will help shape the city for the next several decades.

depottownphoto.jpg

Officials are questioning how to further develop Ypsilanti's Depot Town.

AnnArbor.com file photo

Ypsilanti planning officials are asking all its residents and stakeholders to participate in a series of discussions over several days to help guide it in developing the master plan, which they define as “the guiding values for decisions about land use, housing, transportation, equity and sustainability.”

From Tuesday through Friday, Shape Ypsi will hold a series of discussions about what residents would like to see change or remain the same in the various diverse neighborhoods. At the end of the week, officials and consultants hired to help design the plan will synthesize the information and present the public's ideas.

“We want to hear from the public, what we should preserve, what is working well, and what do we need to completely change,” said City Planner Teresa Gillotti, who said housing, transportation, census and other data will serve as the framework for the discussions.

“But we are going to be planning for the community, so we need to hear how to do that from the community.”

The series kicks off with an information session at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Riverside Art Center, 76 N. Huron St.

On Wednesday, March 13 at 3:30 p.m., residents, business owners and students are invited for a walk between the Eastern Michigan University student center to downtown to discuss the relationship between the university and Ypsilanti.

Among the topics are how the geographical layout affects the relationship between the two communities, the physical barriers between the school and business community, the partnerships - or lack of - between the city and university, the housing district between the school and commercial area and how all these factors play together to form the relationship between EMU and downtown business.

“The hope is to have a rich dialogue about physical changes or improving relationships - there’s a lot that can come out of walking and talking about it,” Gillotti said.

A second walk between Depot Town and downtown is planned for 5:30 p.m. from the Depot Town Freighthouse to the downtown Ypsilanti studio serving as a temporary base for the project.

Among the primary topics of that walk is how to prepare to further develop Depot Town once there is a commuter rail stop, ideas for the vacant Boys and Girls Club of Ypsilanti and a discussion about the Water Street project.

On Thursday, March 14 at 4 p.m., residents are invited to gather at the Parkridge Community Center, 591 Armstrong Drive, for a walk through Ypsilanti’s southside to discuss with planners and police what can be done to stabilize the neighborhood, what programs might be useful for residents there or how to create jobs among other topics.

Residents also can drop in to the studio at 206 W. Michigan Ave. and discuss ideas with planners and designers any time on Wednesday and Thursday.

At 5 p.m. on Friday, the community is invited to a presentation from the planners at the downtown studios on what they heard the community would like to see happen and receive further feedback on those ideas, which will be used as guides to developing the plan.

Gillotti said she wants to hear exciting ideas, but she also wants to make sure they are within the city’s means and realistic for an area with financial challenges.

“One of the things tempering the entire conversation is that Ypsilanti has changed a lot in 20 years… so we want to make sure we’re realistic,” Gillotti said. “There’s a lot to be considered and we want to be very realistic; not have pie in the sky ideas, but still be innovative and creative.”

Tom Perkins is a freelance reporter. Reach the AnnArbor.com news desk at news@annarbor.com.

Comments

Catherine Wright

Tue, Mar 12, 2013 : 8:46 p.m.

It is really disheartening to read these comments. Ypsilanti is a great town with great people. There are plenty of homeowners in Ypsilanti. Renovating the housing projects was necessary. Not everyone can afford homes. Not everyone can afford apartment or home rentals. Section 8 housing is needed. It is not the downfall of Ypsilanti. Ypsilanti needs more businesses and residents need to shop in our town. We have to stop taking our money to Ann Arbor. Most people got out of Ypsilanti to shop or eat or have basic entertainment. If those things were readily available in a desirable atmosphere people would come here. Personally I don't go downtown because there isn't much downtown and there isn't much parking. We cannot charge Ann Arbor prices in Ypsilanti, it's just common sense. Michigan have is a ghost town. We need to build it up. We need to require current business owners to repair and maintain their properties. The homes in and around campus need to be maintained better. Cleaner. Safer. If we want to have a campus town like Ann Arbor we need to take more pride in our property and offer a better place to live for residents and students. I could go on and on but I think I've done that enough. I love Ypsilanti. I want to see us succeed. We have to work together. We have to teach our children and others what Ypsilanti is about. My daughter's athletic department at Ypsilanti High School made t-shirts this year that state: We have Pride. We have Strength. We have Tradition. We are Ypsilanti. This is what we need.

Catherine Wright

Tue, Mar 12, 2013 : 8:58 p.m.

And yes there are typos so no need to comment on my education or use of proper English.

ypsigirl420

Mon, Mar 11, 2013 : 1:54 p.m.

Ypsilanti needs to focus on a core set of priorities: prosperity, education, health and equity.

Stephen Lange Ranzini

Mon, Mar 11, 2013 : 10:43 a.m.

Putting a commuter rail station in Depot Town makes zero sense. Who is commuting to there? Instead it ought to be at EMU on North Huron River Drive between Leforge and Mayhew near where the main EMU commuter lot already is located. Over ten thousand people commute to EMU each day. Do a hundred commute to Depot Town?

timjbd

Mon, Mar 11, 2013 : 12:06 p.m.

I'll ride it down to Sidetrack.

timjbd

Mon, Mar 11, 2013 : 3:38 a.m.

I would say, since there's no new money coming in, that tax incentives should be reserved for renovating old building stock and brownfield re-development. Put a moratorium on all greenfield development, including and especially spec housing.

Speedy Squirrel

Mon, Mar 11, 2013 : 4:44 a.m.

Speaking of tax revenue, the Nerd gave all of our state investment to businesses, none of whom have hurried to redevelop Ypsi. I think SEMCOG needs to deliver a message to Lansing, that we ARE Michigan, and we want our taxes used more fairly.

brian

Mon, Mar 11, 2013 : 12:57 a.m.

I say let's use our parks more. Why do we use our parks for summer time only? We need to use the parks to attract people year round. We also nee to use the parking lot behind the old Smith Furniture. We could have music, outdoor shops during the summer. Just my thought.

ypsigirl420

Mon, Mar 11, 2013 : 1:33 p.m.

Brian There is Music in the summertime. They close the street down every Friday for Crossroads. They have free music and tables set up with food and merchandise. The Downtown Association of Ypsilanti (D.A.Y.) puts it on. You should check it out!!

Jay Thomas

Mon, Mar 11, 2013 : 12:08 a.m.

I seem to recall the Mayor of Ypsi fantasizing not too long ago about making Ypsi more like Ann Arbor. Unfortunately that could never happen because a majority of its inhabitants are renters and not home owners. One way to change that would have been to not rebuild those two housing projects that they decided to spend city money on. They always fall apart rather quickly and you are back to square one again. But being a democrat town they cater to the lowest common denominator FIRST and homeowners are a secondary consideration (at best).

timjbd

Mon, Mar 11, 2013 : 12:09 p.m.

Some good advice above from Scott, LXIX and Tom Whitaker.

Jay Thomas

Mon, Mar 11, 2013 : 4:52 a.m.

Okay, Tim. I just feel sorry for all the students who get mugged (and worse) every year. Ypsi IS a combination of a university town and a government run housing project.

timjbd

Mon, Mar 11, 2013 : 3:31 a.m.

There's plenty of republicans. Check the parking lot of Walmart. Loads o' cookie cutter cardboard housing developments, too. See?

Tom Whitaker

Sun, Mar 10, 2013 : 6:02 p.m.

Also, I hope they'll work to find a way to get rid of Deja Vu and rehab the building back into a legit movie theater. That would be a huge boon to downtown Ypsilanti.

Tom Whitaker

Mon, Mar 11, 2013 : 2:52 a.m.

I wasn't imagining a theater that would compete for first-run movies, but rather independent films, or movies that have already been out a while. But it doesn't have to be just movies, either. It could host plays, lectures, concerts, etc. Perhaps the Riverside Arts center could use it for events that are too big for its current facility. In terms of Deja Vu keeping undesirables OUT? I guess I'd like to hear from the Ypsilanti police on that one, because it sounds like a real stretch to me. But I was thinking more of the deterrent effect it likely has on the DESIRABLES--both businesses and their customers. I don't think it's much fun for parents to have to walk by with their kids, or for anyone to walk by with a first date on their way to a meal at Bona Sera or Red Rock. I guess that's one good thing about Ypsilanti not being more popular than it is, you can almost always park very close to, if not right in front of your destination.

John

Sun, Mar 10, 2013 : 11:53 p.m.

"rehab the building back into a legit movie theater" And then it would have to compete with not only the existing megaplexes, but also the two niche indie theaters in A2. I don't exactly see a gaping hole in that market that a new theater in Ypsi would fill.

ahi

Sun, Mar 10, 2013 : 6:42 p.m.

While I am not a fan of strip clubs, Deja Vu serves an important purpose beside being a significant tax payer and employer. It helps to keep the undesirables out. The people that are horrified just walking by a strip club are unlikely to be the risk takers Ypsi needs to grow. Ypsi cannot afford to be conservative in outlook. We need to build on our diversity, not try to erase it. We will never be Grosse Pointe Shores, but we can be a funky and prosperous little town.

Tom Whitaker

Sun, Mar 10, 2013 : 5:53 p.m.

First and foremost, I hope they avoid so-called "experts" who use the word "density" in every other sentence. Ypsi is on the right track with interesting shops and restaurants that draw people like me away from Ann Arbor. Preservation of houses and storefronts has kept the city walkable and at a human scale, with much intact building stock to work with. I hope Ypsilanti's planners and elected representatives come up with ways to encourage more of the good things that are already happening organically. Water Street was an expensive lesson in taking the latest urban planning trend and trying to force it on an existing community. Build on what you already have and don't forget your heritage!

Speedy Squirrel

Mon, Mar 11, 2013 : 4:38 a.m.

Right on. See Scott Reed above.

LXIX

Sun, Mar 10, 2013 : 5:26 p.m.

Ypsi has a lotta potential to rebuild itself into a solid middle class city. If Ann Arbor continues to be mismanaged by the UM and DDA profiteers it will soon be a nice expensive place to visit, party for awhile, then leave for someone else to pick up after. No soul. Ypsi should work on the basics to reap the opportunity it now has. 1. Pride. Knowing that you could be in the top ten most desireable cities in ten years. 2. Diversity. Tolerating others and having to accept difference works wonders in live and let live community constructs. Most others get stuck on narrow minded leadership. 3. Flexibility. backyard hoop gardens, legalized marijuana, school creativity to educate kids first, regulation latitude - encouraging resident entrepreneurs and caretakers, community nature, art, and style savey leadership, business pragmatists without excess "outsider" bent. 4. Capable of being self-sufficient.- own water, solar power, organic food, education, shopping, transpo. While must still rely upon outsiders for jobs today, as small-owner (moonlight) businesses develop into full-time providers the ability to weather global economic change (unlike one-note UM/Ann Arbor) will secure reputation as a stable "home". Produce locally, sell globally. Small and many. 5. Much easier to build from a low level. Keep taxes low, transparent city services on par, and residents safe from all enemies foreign and domestic. 6. Are you a player? A committed resident willing to help yourself future? In or Out? 7. Annex for the sake of "party latecomers" needing a secure home too.

Dutchy734

Mon, Mar 11, 2013 : 1:35 p.m.

keep taxes low? A little late for that.

Speedy Squirrel

Mon, Mar 11, 2013 : 4:45 a.m.

I don't think style savey, weed smoking, artists are the answer Moonbeam. They sleep 'til noon.

Scott Reed

Sun, Mar 10, 2013 : 4:25 p.m.

Make the downtown more walkable. Strategically narrow and close some roads. Encourage density.

Speedy Squirrel

Mon, Mar 11, 2013 : 4:37 a.m.

Walkability = ? I walk downtown all the time, no problem. I don't see that attribute as critical at all. What is the goal of this "walkability"? I actually appreciate the ample parking downtown. I love being able to hit the library or B24's without worrying about finding a space. If I walk, the sidewalks are in good repair, and the people are friendly. Density? Go to AA if you want density. It's not an Ypsi thing.

Ignatz

Sun, Mar 10, 2013 : 4:10 p.m.

Fixing the roads would be a start.

Murf

Mon, Mar 11, 2013 : 1:58 p.m.

The R&L Carrier semis constantly using it to get to M14 doesn't help. I hope that could be addressed when the topic of road reconstruction is.

Cash

Sun, Mar 10, 2013 : 8:44 p.m.

Prospect between E Michigan and Holmes please. There is little or no street left.