Features

Better downtown parking coming for Ann Arbor cyclists

The Ann Arbor DDA is making room for bike riders in the popular Maynard St parking garage - 50 bikes. Given that it means giving up just two auto spaces that seems like pretty good math to us.
 
Excerpt:
 
"The authorization of $30,000 from the DDA’s parking fund – for design, fabrication and installation of the bicycle storage facility – was given at the board’s Oct. 3, 2012 meeting. Similar “cages” in other cities use a chain-link fencing material. However, the DDA hopes that a more aesthetically pleasing option can be identified." Read the rest here.

Ann Arborite featured on National Storytelling Blog

Longtime Ann Arbor resident Barbara Schutzgruber has been spinning yarns (the vocal kind) for nearly 30 years. Her Acme Tattoo Parlor gets spotlighted on the site.
 
Excerpt:
 
"‘Acme Tattoo Parlor’ is my own story of resilience after a turn of events changed my life forever. It is part of a longer program called “Parts is Parts” which uses folktales, family stories and personal narrative to explore the questions: Are we the sum of our parts? If so… what if we don’t have them all? How do we see ourselves then?"
 
Listen here.
 

Sidetrack Bar and Grill to expand into new building, add 30 jobs

The Sidetrack Bar and Grill is taking on an ambitious expansion and renovation project that could make Ypsilanti's Depot Town an even more enticing stop for the restaurant and nightlife crowds. Last month, Sidetrack purchased a 6,000-square-foot building at 52 E. Cross St. from the owners of Bird Brain, which relocated elsewhere. "We were looking outside of the area because it made sense, with the economic times here, instead of doing new construction, to just buy another place..[but]we wanted to keep investing in the city of Ypsilanti," says Linda French, owner of Sidetrack. The building adjoins Sidetrack and Frenchie's http://www.sidetrackbarandgrill.com/frenchies/ at 54-56 E. Cross St. It has been completely restored and still has its wall-to-wall brick interior. French says it will house a new kitchen and bathroom facilities for Sidetrack. Moreover, Sidetrack will be moving upward into its three-story premises. The 5,000-square-foot second floor will be used for catering events and larger parties. Sidetrack will be putting the proceeds of a $15,000 rehabilitation grant from the Ypsilanti DDA towards window replacement and tuck pointing on the second and third floors. French would like to turn the third story into apartments. The projects are currently in the planning, design, and licensing phases. A completion date is unknown at this time, according to French. She plans to add 30 jobs as a result of the expansions. "We [have] one of the last remaining buildings in Depot Town that hasn't [been restored]," French says. "It's a big deal to get this corner redone." Source: Linda French, owner of Sidetrack Writer: Tanya Muzumdar

From boarded-up gas station to flatiron office and condos

The nothingness of a boarded up gas station on Detroit Street in Kerrytown is likely to make way for a building that a local architect sees becoming a landmark for the city. Though small, the proposed flat iron style building - roughly a triangular shaped structure with a nose that faces the convergence of two streets, will stand out, says Marc Rueter of Rueter Associates Architects. And true flat iron structures in Ann Arbor are rare - though there is one down the street near Zingerman's deli at Fifth and Detroit. Rueter is the architect on the project that's being developed by Dan Williams of Maven Development. "He recognized this was a really cool site..It's a hard site to develop because it's such a small footprint, but it could be very much a landmark, something to be seen when you cross the bridge over the river, something people will notice and remember." The building would be three stories and about 4,000 total square feet. The ground floor would be office space, and the second and third floors would each be condominiums of about 1,650 square feet. The top condo would have access to a rooftop patio and a view of the Huron River. Parking would be located underground. And the location to Kerrytown market makes it attractive. "I think it's one of the nicer areas to live in Ann Arbor if you want the urban lifestyle," Rueter says. "It's a short walk to a lot of the things you need and great places." The project, which involves demolishing a Clark service station that was boarded up about 30 years ago, is supported by city officials but most go before the historic district commission because of its location in a historic area. The commission meets Thursday. If it is approved, as expected, the project would go for other approvals and likely be done by year's end. Construction could start in the spring, Rueter says. Source: Marc Rueter, Rueter Associates Architects Writer: Kim North Shine

Pear Tree gift shop stamps British influence on new Ann Arbor store

Jan McCormick is putting her British stamp of style and changing American tastes into The Pear Tree, a gift shop in the Dixboro community of Ann Arbor. The nearly three-month-old shop is at 5153 Plymouth Road and joins the burgeoning, historic village with its village green and specialty businesses. Next door to Pear Tree is a coffee shop Across the street is a general store. It's a combo that attracts shoppers with an appreciation for quaint. McCormick, a former Londoner who's married to longtime Detroit News car columnist John McCormick, has stocked Pear Tree with goods she feels are special or unique. There's jewelry, pottery, clothing and other merchandise, which changes often and comes from Michigan whenever possible. Source: John McCormick, co-owner The Pear Tree  Writer: Kim North Shine

Renovations at Ypsi's Eagle Crest Resort aim for international draw

A plan to market Ypsilanti's Eagle Crest Resort to executives and conference planners around the world are unfolding as more multimillion-dollar, multi-year renovations are made. The resort, which features a Golf Digest four-star rated golf course, a conference center that as of recently will be managed by Marriott Corp. and a hotel already owned and managed by Marriott, has redone its landscaping, roads, sidewalks and more. The conference center has gotten new furniture and decor and will get upgraded technology, part of a recently approved $1 million expense by Eastern Michigan University, and the golf course has $1 million in upgrades as well. The property is leased from Ypsilanti Township to Eastern Michigan University, which owns the golf course and conference center and manages the golf course. The latest round of renovations will cost $200,000 each year for the next five years, says Leigh Greden, executive director government and community relations at EMU. Previously EMU put $2 million into the conference center, which had management operations taken over by Marriott last month. In addition, Marriott is improving the hotel, Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest. It's all part of plan to market Eagle Crest Resort with its closeness to Metro Airport and Ann Arbor, its scenic views of Ford Lake and a highly-rated and improving golf course to the world. The parties behind the project include EMU, Ypsilanti Township, and Marriott. "It's always nice to put money into a facility to keep it fresh, but we're really doing it as part of a coordinated multi-pronged marketing strategy to enhance the entire resort," Greden says. "It's a win for the university as we push to have the conference center make money. We think the partnership with Marriott is a win for the community because of the property taxes Marriott pays.  We think it's a win for the public because this is public golf course and something Ypsilanti-area residents can enjoy. "And as for the township, they've been great partners in making this happen. The supervisor, Brenda Stumbo, and her team have been amazing in marketing the township as a great place to do business. We could not doing without them and their commitment to making Ypsilanti Township more friendly to the business community." Source: Leigh Greden, executive director government and community relations, Eastern Michigan University Writer: Kim North Shine

Coherix expands staff by 20, looks to hire another 10

Coherix is growing sales and staff, and is currently eyeing an even bigger payday in the near future. The 8-year-old Ann Arbor-based tech start-up has hired 20 people over the last year and is looking to add another 10 employees in software programing and sales. Its staff currently stands at 43 employees and three interns after the firm doubled its sales over the last year. "We're on a path to double our revenue growth over the next year," says Dwight Carlson, chairman & CEO of Coherix. "We're looking at an initial public offering in 2014." Coherix creates high-speed, high-definition 3D visualization and inspection software designed to improve the management of manufacturing processes. Its high-tech optical-based measurement and inspection products help find efficiencies in the automotive and semiconductor industries. The company originally set up shop in southeast Michigan because of the region's high concentration of manufacturing. Today with the global shift in manufacturing eastward, about 70 percent of Coherix's customers are in Asia, and that's with the boost in manufacturing in Michigan thanks to the rebounding automotive industry. "Coherix China will be the biggest Coherix operation in five years," Carlson says. Source: Dwight Carlson, chairman & CEO of Coherix Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Underground Printing opens three new locations

If the term "slow retail" were to ever catch on like say "slow food," it would be because of companies like Underground Printing. The Ann Arbor-based custom printed apparel provider (think t-shirts and embroidered clothing) has grown thanks in part to its enhanced technology and burgeoning Internet presence. However, its real growth is coming with new retail spaces. "The technology is what we bring to back up the retail stores," says Rishi Narayan, owner of Underground Printing. "The physical presence is why we have been able to grow. People feel comfortable with that." The 11-year-old business has retail spaces across the U.S. that employ 150 people. Those include three new stores in Nebraska, North Carolina and in a former Blockbuster space in Ann Arbor. That growth has allowed the company to add a second shift to its production line and expand its Ann Arbor staff to 100 people. "Our services have caught on and continue to grow primarily through word of mouth," Narayan says. Source: Rishi Narayan, owner of Underground Printing Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Liberty Title clocks triple-digit growth in Ann Arbor

Liberty Title is enjoying a lot of growth in recent years thanks to its emphasis on the local market. The family owned title company has enjoyed a 300 percent revenue increase since 2007. It has acquired four local real-estate companies in the last year while also enjoying some organic growth by working with local banks on mortgages and refinancing. "There has been a lot of opportunity in Metro Detroit," says Tom Richardson, CEO & general counsel of Liberty Title. That opportunity has allowed the Ann Arbor-based company to expand to 92 employees in 10 branches, stretching from Jackson to Port Huron, including 24 people in Tree Town. It has hired 35 people over the last year for mostly closing, processing and title work positions. It currently has six job openings. "All of these jobs have a starting salary of $44,000," says Michele Richardson, president of Liberty Title and Tom Richardson's wife. Source: Tom Richardson, CEO & general counsel of Liberty Title and Michele Richardson, president of Liberty Title Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

MGoBlog hires 4 team members as it expands U-M coverage

MGoBlog was riding high last year, clocking big gains in readership as the University of Michigan went through the turmoil of a coaching change, a surprise run in the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, and a largely unexpected 10-win season in football. Growth was spiking nicely for the leading U-M athletics fan site until things flattened this year. Brian Cook knows what happened and who caused this dip. He epically double points at U-M Head Football Coach Brady Hoke. "We had a pretty bad summer (readershipwise). I blame Brady Hoke," says Cook, founder of MGoBlog, with his tongue planted in his cheek. "He had the entire (football) recruiting class signed up by March." As a diehard U-M football fan, Cook knows that landing most of a top-tier recruiting class before spring officially arrives is good for the team's long-term prospects and therefore good for MGoBlog and his own sanity on football Saturdays. But recruiting news is what keeps sites like his going in the college sports offseason between the NCAA Basketball Tournament and the first game of football season. Success can be painful sometimes. That dip hasn't been fatal for the growing media empire based in Ann Arbor that is MGoBlog. The 7-year-old website had expanded to a three-person team when we check in with Cook in 2011. Since then it has grown its team to five people, bringing on a photographer and sales manager. It has also had to replace two of its writers after more established competitors with deeper pockets (Rivals and ESPN) cherry picked its two writers. "It was kind of upsetting and validating at the same time," Cook says. MGoBlog has also expanded into the football season preview magazine market with its initial offering of "Hail To The Victors" this fall. The glossy magazine done in MGoBlog's distinctive voice became a reality thanks to a $26,000 Kickstarter campaign that largely came from the site's legions of fanboys. Cook sees working out the kinks in the magazine and solidifying its readership as one of MGoBlog's top goals in the next year. "The most important thing for us to do is to solidify the magazine," Cook says. "I really want year two of the magazine to be solid and turn into a product that can be sold year after year." Source: Brian Cook, founder of MGoBlog Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Saagara moves to Kerrytown to accommodate growth

Saagara has moved to a new home in Kerrytown and is preparing to launch a worldwide platform for its meditative technology from the office overlooking Ann Arbor's Broadway Bridge. Saagara, which is Sanskrit for ocean of ideas, provides a holistic approach to better health, centered around a breathing technique called Pranayama. The company's CEO, Dr. Bobby Peddi, started the company shortly after he left his surgical residency about three years ago. Today the company has 2 million users and is looking to launch its worldwide platform when it hits the 3 million user mark later this year. "We want to be the platform for people around the world to use these things," Dr. Peddi says. "We're prepared to launch that very shortly." Saagara's new office is in Kerrytown are 3.5 times larger than its previous office in the Tech Brewery. The new space is in a building its sharing with Duo Security and Resonant Venture Partners. Saagara now employs 10 people after hiring five people (some of them replacement hires) in the last year. Source: Dr. Bobby Peddi, CEO of Saagara Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Clean Energy Coalition adds 2, in process of hiring 5 more

If every problem is an opportunity in disguise, the Clean Energy Coalition is enthusiastically seizing its problems and turning them into opportunities. The Ann Arbor-based non-profit, focused on spreading green practices, lost about a third of its revenue a year ago. Before that the 6-year-old organization had been growing at a rapid pace, helping sustainable causes like improving fuel efficiency in local government automobile fleets and hiring a number of people. The Clean Energy Coalition's leadership improvised. It beefed up its consulting services (a strengthening revenue source) and approached foundations. Today it has closed the gap and grown, hiring two people this year and in the process of hiring five more by the end of the year. "That has been an extremely successful endeavor on our part," says Sean Reed, founder & executive director of the Clean Energy Coalition. "I attribute that success to all the talent we have on staff." Today the Clean Energy Coalition employs 17 people and three interns. Reed hopes to double the size of the non-profit by the end of next year as it continues to create new revenue streams and expand its services. Source: Sean Reed, founder & executive director of the Clean Energy Coalition Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Video speakertaylorAB

Art In Public Places

Next month Ann Arborites decide whether to fund a millage for art in public places. Last week, Concentrate's speaker series invited Deb Polich, executive director of the Arts Alliance, and city councilmember Christopher Taylor to provide some background and insight. No worries if you couldn't be there. We've got the video.

Feature Story Martin Vloet at MGoPatio

Big House Businesses

Half a dozen Saturdays a year Ann Arbor's population practically doubles, as U-M football brings in Big Ten gridiron fans. Some see the game day influx as an inconvenience. Others see it as an economic opportunity.

A daily commuter train from A2 to Detroit in our near future?

Most American metroploitan areas have several daily commuter trains between the region's largest city and the surrounding suburbs. Wouldn't it be nice if we could join them? Finally?
 
Excerpt:
 
"The paper reported that the Michigan Department of Transportation "is in the process of spending more than $500 million to purchase the tracks between Dearborn and Kalamazoo from Norfolk Southern and improve them, according to officials at the meeting."  "
 
Read the rest here.

Zombies in Ann Arbor

The Freep has a great photo slide show of Saturday's zombie walk. 
 
Excerpt:
 
"The undead came to life Saturday for the annual Zombie Walk to benefit Food Gatherers of Ann Arbor. Participants met at Pinball Pete’s in Ann Arbor to drop off nonperishable food donations. From there, they hobbled and crawled to the Three Corpse Circus Horror Film Festival at the Michigan Theater. Organizer Bambi Slevin, 32, of Ypsilanti said about 60 people participated this year and donated two bins of food."
 
Check it out here!

Hacker Tour stops in Ann Arbor

The SF start-up ReadyForce has decided that the current job search process is broken. With that in mind they've launched HackTour 2012,"n 8 week national bus tour designed to connect fast growing startups and tech companies to top computer science and engineering students across the country." Ann Arbor U-M was one of its 27 stops.
 
Excerpt:
 
"At the College of Engineering career fair Tuesday, the van was parked outside emblazoned with the logos of the 26 companies sponsoring the eight-week swing through 27 campuses across the country. The website is a cross between LinkedIn, Match.com and Monster.com that connects college students with companies interested in hiring them."
 
Read the rest here.

Ann Arbor AutoBike seen as a "promising disruptive technology"

What is the Disruptive Investor? Well, according to their site they are "dedicated to uncovering the most commercially promising disruptive technologies. Our mission is to connect the most disruptive technologies to the investment, licensing and acquisition communities." Get it? Ann Arbor's AutoBike gets singled out for notice.
 
Excerpt:
 
"For most people, the purpose of a bicycle is to take leisurely rides and have fun. Some riders, however, do not shift gears at the right time. They therefore exhaust themselves faster or may have to walk their bicycles up otherwise manageable hills. These situations tarnish the entire cycling experience and make people less likely to ride. The AutoBike solves this problem by automatically shifting gears for the cyclist."
 
Read the rest here.
 

Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor, & Saline are on the National Solar Tour map

The sun may be lower on the horizon now, but solar activity is rising, beginning with the National Solar Tour in October. Nine installations in Ypsilanti, along with one each in Saline and Ann Arbor, will be open to visitors interested in seeing solar. Eight of those sites are within approximately one mile of each other in and near downtown Ypsilanti. The Ypsi Food Co-op and River Street Bakery at 312 North River Street sport three installations. Other hotspots are: Krzyzanski Apts A,B,C at 403 Huron Street; Ypsi City Hall at 1 South Huron Street; Adams School at 503 East Oak Street; Frog Island Park at 600 Marketplace; and the Corner Brewery at 720 Norris Street. Power Panel, the provider of the large installation at the Corner Brewery, will be presenting at the brewery at 12 and 2 p.m. And local solar installer John Wakeman will be speaking about the "25% by '25" legislation, an initiative to require that Michigan utilities obtain 25% of their energy from renewable sources by 2025 (the current requirement is 10% by 2015), will be speaking there at 1 p.m. "We have [panels] on roofs, things on awnings on the side of buildings. We have micro-inverters, regular inverters...it's a lot of examples in a short distance," says Dave Strenski, volunteer coordinator of Solar Ypsi, points out. Strenski will be at City Hall throughout the day to answer questions, and Solar Ypsi volunteers will staff some of the other spots. Other displays within driving distance will be at the Graf residence at 6232 Munger Road in Ypsilanti and the Bredernitz residence at 2114 Windmill Way in Saline. All sites will be open from 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Also in conjunction with the National Solar Tour, Novi, Michigan-based Srinergy will host a bus tour of residential and commercial solar installations that day. Ann Arbor's AMMA Center will be a featured stop. Click here for more information and to register. Both tours take place on Saturday, October 6. Sources: Dave Strenski, volunteer coordinator of Solar Ypsi; Srinergy Writer: Tanya Muzumdar

A2 Modern designs A2 walking-tour map, hosts architecture event

As Michigan gained dominance in the new-car market in the mid-19th century, leading architects were also designing of-the-moment housing. The decades spanning 1940-1970 spawned Modernism - a spare, clean style which abounds in Ann Arbor, where renowned architects and professors of architecture - think Eero Saarinen, George Brigham, and Alden B. Dow - designed many of the iconic Modern homes still standing today. "There was a lot happening in Ann Arbor - the college was moving from the Beaux Arts style to Modern, there was a large influx of new students after the war, more faculty, and the need to build. The faculty were doing cutting-edge research and were really open to a new and different way of living," explains Nancy Deromedi, co-founder of A2 Modern, an educational group and promoter of Ann Arbor's collection of Modern architecture. Although no firm count of Modern properties in Ann Arbor has been completed yet, A2 Modern, together with U-M's College of Architecture, has developed a walking-tour map highlighting 86 sites around the city. Many can be found in Ann Arbor Hills, Barton Hills, near Spring Street, and along E. Huron River Drive. "I think what is interesting to see is if you start in the Geddes-Arb area, you can see the changing styles of what was Modern, starting with the home George Brigham designed for two families...It is on Oswego, [made of] concrete block and has more of an International Modern feel. And then you can work your way over a few blocks to see what Alden Dow did for his sister in 1932, which is a fabulous low-ground hugging structure on Berkshire; then go a few blocks further and see an example of Bauhaus with the home William Muschenheim designed for himself on Heatherway. So, it is really a fascinating collection of ideas and influences," Deromedi says. Modern fans and the merely curious can meet at 7 p.m. on October 9 at the Bentley Historical Library in Ann Arbor, where A2 Modern will host state historic preservation officer Brian Conway, who will be discussing Michigan's role in the Modern movement. To obtain walking tour maps and for more information on upcoming programming from A2 Modern, click here. Source:  Nancy Deromedi, co-founder of A2 Modern Writer: Tanya Muzumdar

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.