Natalie BurgWednesday, March 12, 2014

The Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority, or TheRide, will open its new, 12,019-square-foot, LEED Gold-certified Blake Transit Center to the public on Monday. After breaking ground in late 2012, TheRide says the completed building will offer a larger customer service lobby, improved restrooms and digital signage featuring real-time route information. "Staff, including myself, who have toured the new building are impressed with the new space, and believe it will be a welcoming, comfortable, convenient, and safe place for riders," says Don Kline, integrated marketing coordinator for TheRide. "Early reactions from the public we’ve spoken to have been very positive." Monday will be a soft launch for the Blake Transit Center, as the lane buses will eventually use adjacent to the center won't be finished until the ground completely thaws. A grand opening event will be scheduled at that time. Next week, light refreshments and customer service staff will be available to the public to kick off the opening. Kline says the long term goal of the new Blake Transit Center will be to accommodate TheRide's growing ridership, which has increased by more than 80 percent since the former transit center was built in the 1980s. "We are continuing to focus on improving connectivity in our urban core communities that in turn improves our economy, environment, and quality of life," he says. Next up for the ever-evolving organization will be a May 6 vote on TheRide's Five-Year Transit Improvement Plan, "TheRide Your Way." In 2013, the city of Ypsilanti and Ypsilanti Township were officially added to the TheRide organization. Source: Don Kline, TheRide Writer: Natalie Burg

Economic Development

Carrabba's, Five Guys and more coming to Ann Arbor-Saline Rd.

Natalie BurgWednesday, March 12, 2014

Source: Michael Lippitt, Landmark Commercial Real Estate Services

A slew of national chains including Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Carrabba's Italian Grill, Subway, Sport Clips and others will soon be part of Pittsfield Place, a 12-business restaurant and retail development that is scheduled to break ground later this month. According to Landmark Commercial Real Estate's Michael Lippitt, who is marketing the spaces, the Ann Arbor-Saline Rd. location is ideal for the project. "Pittsfield Place is strategically located in front of a very long-established and high-volume Meijer," says Lippett. "The surrounding retailers are some of the highest-volume stores in all of Southeast Michigan. And the market, if you compare it to the rest of Southeast Michigan, is underserved." The project, which is being developed by Versa in Southfield, is divided into two phases. The first, which will include eight restaurant and retail spaces, is set to break ground this month with businesses, including Carrabba's, opening by the end of the year. About 6,500 square feet of commercial space is still available in Phase I. All properties in Phase II have been spoken for, and construction is scheduled for completion in 2015. "The economy is very good and leasing is very strong," Lippitt says. "Support from the township was very strong, and Meijer was very interested. All of the moon and stars aligned at the right time." The 6.4 acres of land on which Pittsfield Place will be developed was purchased from Meijer. The development will sit between Lohr Rd. and Oak Valley Drive on Ann Arbor-Saline Rd. with parking in the rear. Source: Michael Lippitt, Landmark Commercial Real Estate Services Writer: Natalie Burg

Healthy Communities

CareEvolution aims to hire 40 on strength of healthcare software sales

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Source: Concentrate

Change is the one consistent thing in healthcare today, and it's a trend that is playing into CareEvolution's favor. The downtown Ann Arbor-based company has hired about 20 people over the last year to keep up with the demand for its software platform. Most of those new hires were software developers and clinical analysts. The firm currently employs 60 people. It plans to add three interns this summer, along with a consistent stream of hires along the way. "This year we intend to add 40 people," says Vik Kheterpal, principal of CareEvolution. "We're looking at 10 people per quarter." He adds that the company currently has 35 open positions, primarily for software developers, that it would fill right now if it could find the right candidates. CareEvolution's software specializes in breaking down information silos in healthcare systems primarily by sharing of electronic medical records and information. The idea is to streamline patient care. As the healthcare industry has transitioned to put a bigger focus on efficiency, technology like CareEvolution’s software climbs. "As that need is growing the demand for our product is growing," Kheterpal says. "We can't keep up." CareEvolution's growth has been organic. It is projecting 80-percent revenue growth in 2014 based just on the business it has today. Kheterpal expects that number to climb as the year goes on. "We have very robust growth," Kheterpal says. "We will be almost double our growth this year." Source: Vik Kheterpal, principal of CareEvolution Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Kids and Education

U-M Credit Union merges with EMU Credit Union

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Source: Concentrate

The credit unions at the University of Michigan and Eastern Michigan University are now one institution after consummating a merger earlier this year. Eastern Michigan University Credit Union officially became a part of University of Michigan Credit Union in January. EMU’s Credit Union will now be known as Eastern Michigan University Financial. U-M Credit Union will keep its branding. Members of both will now have full access to all of the newly combined credit union's branches in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and Dearborn. "It's not a growth strategy," says Jeff Schillag, vice president of marketing at University of Michigan Credit Union. "It's truly a collaboration." The newly merged credit union will have $545 million in assets and 59,342 members. All of those members will have equal access to affordable financial services, mobile banking, and instant issue debit and credit cards. Eastern Michigan University Financial will maintain its branch at 761 Jenness St. in Ypsilanti with its current staff. It will continue to employ its namesake university's brand in its name as a point of pride for the EMU community. "We intend to keep the branding there to better serve that community," Schillag says. Source: Jeff Schillag, vice president of marketing at University of Michigan Credit Union Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Economic Development

Carcode SMS helps create conversation at car dealerships

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Source: Concentrate

A new tech startup is helping automotive dealerships spark more conversations with potential customers. Carcode SMS has come up with a website plugin that allows consumers to text automotive dealership staff and inquire about a specific car. The software assigns local cell phone numbers to dealerships so mobile shoppers can text them and provides the dealership with an app that allows staff to respond and manage conversations in a compliant environment. "We can keep track of all of the text conversations with that app," says Steve Schwartz, co-founder of Carcode SMS. Carcode SMS also has a feature enabling the consumer to end the conversation whenever he or she wants to and not have to worry about follow-ups from salesmen. The Ann Arbor-based startup that calls Tech Brewery home recently won the 2014 Edmund Hackomotive contest last month. The three-person Carcode SMS team has completed the initial development of the software and is testing it out at an automotive dealership. "We are currently talking to other dealerships," Schwartz says. Source: Steve Schwartz, co-founder of Carcode SMS Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Arts and Culture

U-M students make fashion statement with OverTheFly belts

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Source: Concentrate

Andrew Jacob and Andre Najmolhoda went to high school in West Bloomfield and college in Ann Arbor together, so it’s not a surprise the two friend are starting their own company together. The University of Michigan students launched a custom belt company called OverTheFly a year ago and are starting to make a fashion statement or two with it. "We noticed there is always a trend in shoes, shirts and hats but never belts," says Andrew Jacob, co-founder of OverTheFly. "We want to start trends with belts." OverTheFly offers plastic belts and buckles of different colors and styles, allowing buyers to customize their own belt with a few clicks of a computer mouse. The company describes its belts as "waterproof, durable, 100% recyclable, animal-friendly, and one size fits all." "You can pretty much create your own belt," Jacob says. He adds, "We are also the first company we know of that created a belt with Detroit’s skyline on it." OverTheFly's products can be bought online or at 17 stores in Michigan and Florida. Jacob and Najmolholda plan to continue finding more retail outlets for its belts and hope to scale across the U.S. Source: Andrew Jacob, co-founder of OverTheFly Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Economic Development

Orange Egg Advertising works on PBS series, adds 4 new jobs

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Source: Concentrate

Orange Egg Advertising has been adding more clients and members to its team over the last year. The Ann Arbor-based firm and its sister company, Hadrout in Ferndale, has grown by 25% and added four new positions, expanding its staff to half a dozen people. "We keep adding interesting projects," says Amy Grambeau, director of Orange Egg Advertising. Among those projects is the PBS station's series, Start Up. Orange Egg Advertising helped produce the first season that profiled entrepreneurs. It is now working on the second season for the show. "There are some cool things coming out of southeast Michigan," Grambeau says. Grambeau expects Orange Egg Advertising to expand in a similar fashion in 2014, powered by word-of-mouth referrals. "We just keep doing a good job for our clients," Grambeau says. "We keep on the cutting edge of technology for our clients." Source: Amy Grambeau, director of Orange Egg Advertising Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Healthy Communities

Get Up and Go expands caffeinated food sales

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Source: Concentrate

Get Up and Go is on the move in Michigan, carving out space for its caffeinated goodies on store shelves across the Great Lakes State. The Ann Arbor-based company makes a variety of baked goods infused with natural caffeine. The goodies include muffins, cookies, brownies and granola. Consumers can find Get Up and Go's wares in about a dozen stores in Ann Arbor, Lansing and a few supermarkets. "We're just getting off the ground," says Chris Bogdan, CEO of Get Up and Go. The one-year-old company started selling its baked goods in stores six months ago. Bogdan is currently a one-man-show, baking the goods in his home. He is working to move production to a food manufacturer so he can scale the concept into as many as 1,000 stores across Michigan this year. "I am focusing on Michigan first, building it out and getting into specialty food stores," Bogdan says. "Specialty stores support a lot of Michigan-made products." Source: Chris Bogdan, CEO of Get Up and Go Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Feature Story

Kids and Education

OpEd: What Ants Can Teach Us

Peter WagnerWednesday, March 5, 2014

Taking our blinders off to experience a foreign culture often translates into new ways of seeing our hometowns. Recent U-M graduate Peter Wagner writes on his teaching stint in Thailand's villages, and on what ants can show us.

Partner Content

Community Development

50 years, 50 stories: Robert Bruce Dunlap Memorial FundAnn Arbor Area Community Foundation

Ann Arbor Area Community FoundationWednesday, March 5, 2014

Bob Dunlap loved Ann Arbor and supported many organizations that make it a special place. When he died in 1994, his wife established an unrestricted fund at the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation to honor his memory and support the wider community. Since then, additional funds have been established in Bob’s memory to support Ozone House and to award scholarships to young people for their community service.

Feature Story

Community Development

Finding the Balance Between an Asian and American Identity

Dennis ArchambaultWednesday, March 5, 2014

No matter how loving the home, Asian adoptees often struggle with identity. The impacts of race and culture don't diminish with assimilation. Mam non is a support program that helps adopted children and their parents bridge the gap between their Asian and American identities.

Feature Story

Susan Crabb front row center with some U of M Masters of Social Work students

Community Development

U-M's School of Social Work: Not Just an Ivory Tower

Amy KurasWednesday, March 5, 2014

More than just a well-respected educational institution, U-M's School of Social Work assigns hundreds of students to work for and with nonprofits throughout Washtenaw County. Those students have become a uniquely powerful community asset, offering much-needed support to local organizations and acting as ambassadors for new ideas and strategies.

Arts and Culture

U-M student showcased in Academy Award's "Team Oscar"

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Source: The New York Daily News

Just one of five (out of 5000) student filmmakers, Bronx native and U-M student Zaineb Abdul-Nabi's short film was honored by the Academy Awards. Abdul-Nabi was then invited to hand out Oscar statuettes to the presenters at Sunday night's 86th annual Academy Awards.

Excerpt:

“I’m a Gonzo cinematographer siezing the richness of the everyday, searching for the infinite forms of strength and tenacity that make us all extraordinary humans,” says the budding auteur in a voice-over during her winning short, which lovingly features images of graffiti-strewn Bronx buildings and street scenes in Ann Arbor, where the 22-year-old senior attends the University of Michigan."

Read the rest here.

Arts and Culture

Buzzfeed gives 23 reasons to eat in Ann Arbor

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Source: BuzzFeed

There are the usual suspects in BuzzFeed's list of Ann Arbor's delectables (Zingerman's, The Fleetwood Diner, the now honeless Blimpy Burger, etc)... and a few surprises.

Excerpt:

"NOTHING, NOTHING is more comforting than a hot stone bowl BiBimBop at Kang’s, topped with a perfect runny egg, and doused in gochujang, glorious Korean hot sauce."

Read the rest of the list here.

Economic Development

With increased urbanization are we entering the age of "Peak Car"?

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Source: Insurance News

Are we approaching the ago of 'Peak Autos'? With the rise of urbanization and an increased demand for mass transit, some are seeing the future of the car as a neceessity in decline. Take note mass transit opponents.

Excerpt:

"More young people also are passing on pursuing drivers’ licenses, once a rite of passage. In 2010, 69.5 percent of 19-year-olds in the U.S. had a driver’s license, down from 87.3 percent in 1983, said Michael Sivak, director of sustainable worldwide transportation at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute in Ann Arbor.

Better-built cars are damping demand for new ones: The average age of autos on the road today has reached a record 11.4 years, according to researcher R.L. Polk & Co."

Read the rest here.

Sustainability

U-M developing solar cells with an aesthetic edge

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Source: U-M's Michigan News

Researchers at U-M are working on see-through solar cells that could be used as decorations and even stained-glass windows.

Excerpt:

"The cells, believed to be the first semi-transparent, colored photovoltaics, have the potential to vastly broaden the use of the energy source, says Jay Guo, a professor of electrical engineering and computer science, mechanical engineering, and macromolecular science and engineering at U-M. Guo is lead author of a paper about the work newly published online in Scientific Reports."

Read the rest here.

Watch the cool video here.

Community Development

Proponents of AATA transit expansion dissect opposition

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Source: MarkMaynard.com

On May 6 voters in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and Ypsilanti Township will decide whether to fund the AATA's plan to expand services. An opposition group has formed, making various claims about the millages failures and shortcomings. Blogger Mark Maynard brought together a trio of proponents to discuss their campaign.

Excerpt:

"The small but loud opposition relies on this argument to fire people up. “We don’t benefit, so we’ll vote no.” They present it as black and white, and ignore the general benefits, which are numerous. They don’t acknowledge the fact that mass transit alleviates road congestion, improves safety, makes parking spaces easier to come by, etc. If they don’t have a bus stop right outside their house, and routes that take them directly from their first appointment of the day to their last, and back home again, they’re completely against it. They’re demanding something of a bus service that’s just not realistic. The truth is, our local transit service has been continually improving (AirRide service to Detroit Metro Airport, expanded NightRide service, increased frequency of service on routes 4 and 5, etc.), and there will be even more options for people if this millage is passed"

Read the rest here.

Entrepreneurship

Diva Nails to open on Maple, two more locations planned

Natalie BurgWednesday, March 5, 2014

Source: Frank Dinh, Diva Nails

Business is booming for Diva Nails. The Arborland nail spa is preparing to open its second location next to Plum Market on Maple Rd. next week, and is already planning a third in Northville while scoping out Troy for a fourth Diva Nails.

"The one in Arborland is very successful now," says Diva Nails owner Frank Dinh. "I have a different way to run the nail business. We do very very high quality work, and we'll do even more high quality at the new spa."

After about eight months of renovations, the Maple Rd. location looks set to meet those expectations for quality. The lavish decor includes chandeliers and upscale tile. In addition to manicure and pedicure areas, the 5,000 square foot spa will also include a bar area.

"We are waiting for the beer and wine license," says Dinh. "But we would like to serve beer and wine for the pedicure clients."

Final work on the new Diva Nails will complete in the next week. Dinh will employ a staff of 10 initially, and expects to grow that number as the spa's clientele increases. His Northville location does not have a open date yet, but Dinh says he expects it to be ready for business soon.

Source: Frank Dinh, Diva Nails Writer: Natalie Burg

Economic Development

$12M Kingsley Lane Condos could add up to 21 units to downtown

Natalie BurgWednesday, March 5, 2014

Source: Tom Fitzsimmons, Huron Contracting

The demand to live near downtown Ann Arbor could be fed a bit more with the proposed Kingsley Lane Condos. The long-delayed project has been been submitted to the Ann Arbor Design Review Board. Currently, the development plans include 21 units, but that could change based on the demands of prospective tenants.

"We started out with an average unit size of 1,000 to 1,100 square feet, but we've already started talking to people about combining units," says Tom Fitzsimmons of Huron Contracting, who is working with developers Peter Allen, Mark Berg. "We've been contacted by about ten people so far. People are interested in larger units."

Regardless of how many units it will ultimately contain, the approximately $12 million project will be about 40,000 square feet and include two new buildings and an existing structure on Kingsley Lane. The goal of the project, says Fitzsimmons, is to build the kind of space people are looking for.

"We're trying to make nice spaces people are comfortable in, so that includes large decks, balconies, lots of indoor and outdoor space and nice master suites," he says.

If the plan moves forward as planned, Fitzsimmons hopes the Ann Arbor City Council will approve that project in August, and construction would begin immediately. He expects the Kingsley Lane Condo project would then be completed by late 2015.

Source: Tom Fitzsimmons, Huron Contracting Writer: Natalie Burg

Arts and Culture

Ypsi's Harvest Moon Cafe builds new bar, adds staff

Natalie BurgWednesday, March 5, 2014

Source: Pauline Tzavaras, Harvest Moon Cafe

After 28 years in business, the Harvest Moon Cafe in Ypsilanti was in need of some renovations. While the family owned restaurant was at it, they decided to add a full bar and expand their hours. "It came about from customers asking for cocktails," says owner Pauline Tzavaras. "We've always had beer and wine, but we didn't have the space to do any cocktails." After four weeks of renovation, that is no longer the case. Harvest Moon Cafe now includes a full, eight-stool bar. In addition to adding the bar and the complete kitchen renovation, the restaurant, which re-opened about a month ago, now has expanded hours and a menu featuring the return of some customer favorites from the past. "We want to be known as a neighborhood bar, but still concentrating on our homestyle food," Tzavaras says. "We've had a great response. We're getting busier and busier." To accommodate the bar and expanded hours, three new employees have been hired, bringing the Harvest Moon Cafe staff up to 24 workers. Source: Pauline Tzavaras, Harvest Moon Cafe Writer: Natalie Burg

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Hasini and Harshini Anand are members of Corner Health Center's Youth Leadership Council and mental health advocates.

Voices of Youth

Concentrate's Voices of Youth series features content created by Washtenaw County youth in partnership with Concentrate mentors, as well as feature stories by adult writers that examine issues of importance to local youth. Click here for a full list of the latest content from this series.