Space is becoming more and more of a
luxury on the University of Michigan's campus. Urban-style housing is
popping up like dandelions, creating greater density.
Big projects like the 26-story 601 Forest and 10-story Zaragon Place Lofts
grab most of the headlines, erasing decades old buildings for
super-dense student housing. But such big-foot tactics are occurring on
a smaller scale, too.
The latest example is the 133 Hill
project, which was recently given the green light by the Ann Arbor City
Council. That project basically calls for razing an existing
single-family home for a tri-plex on the edge of the "student
ghetto" on Hill Street about a half block east of Main Street.
The
1.5-story house has been there since 1901, but lies in an area where
zoning calls for multi-unit dwellings. Replacing it will be a 2.5-story
structure that will, from the curb, look much like a normal
Midwestern-style home. It is designed by Dexter-based Bona & Kolb Architects and is meant to complement the surrounding neighborhood's
housing stock.
Inside, however, the building will have 8,150
square feet of space, divided into space for 18 beds. Five parking
spaces are being installed behind the building. Of those parking
spaces, three will be covered. There will also be 11 spaces for
bicycles.
Bona & Kolb Architects have designed a number of green features
into the project with the idea of making its LEED certified. Among
those environmentally friendly features are recycled insulation, cement
board siding, high-efficiency windows, recycling construction materials
and a rain garden.
It's also in a walkable area that will encourage the renters to use their feet more
than their tires. "The site itself tends to be green because of its
location," says Kevin Kolb, a spokesman for Bona & Kolb Architects.
The surrounding area is a mix of small apartment buildings and
single-family homes turned into student housing. Some homes for townies
are also sprinkled into the neighborhood that has become more oriented
to student-housing in recent decades because of its close proximity to
Elbel Field and U-M's athletic campus.
Razing the existing house will take place later this month.
Construction is set to take between six and seven months to complete.
Source: City of Ann Arbor and Kevin Kolb, spokesman for Bona & Kolb Architects
Writer: Jon Zemke
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