Major changes on way for Huron/Division in downtown Ann Arbor?

Wednesday, April 29, 2009 | Source: Concentrate

Downtown Ann Arbor has undergone lots of change in recent years, becoming a denser and more urban city center. And some more of those big changes could be in the near future.

Large residential projects like 4Eleven and Zaragon Place lofts are about to come online, adding hundreds of new beds to downtown. And then there are even bigger projects on the boards, such as 601 Forest and the Moravian. But the biggest changes might not yet be public or even known.

The intersection of Huron and Division streets on downtown's north side could prove to be the most likely candidate for a big transformation. The intersection already has a drive-by-fast suburban make-up thanks to a handful of residential turned commercial buildings, a tire shop and the fortress-like The Ann Arbor News building.

However, the northwest corner promises to become more urban thanks to the City Hall expansion. The Ann Arbor News plans to sell its long-time home, a move that could lead to a dynamic pedestrian-friendly transformation of the building. Now the northeast corner of small buildings is up for sale/redevelopment. That could mean a complete urban makeover for that intersection, according to Roy Strickland, the director of the University of Michigan Taubman College's Masters of Urban Design program.

"Huron can become a major cross axis for the city," Strickland says.

He points out that there is already a few high-density developments on Huron between State Street and the train tracks, such as the North Quad development. That combined with a smattering of surface parking lots could lead to a number of in-fill, high-density developments. The sort of development that can slow down traffic and create an urban vibrancy similar to what exists on Main or State streets.

Such development could help strengthen the urban bridge between traditional downtown and what is the traditional campus area for the University of Michigan.

Source: Roy Strickland, the director of the University of Michigan Taubman College's Masters of Urban Design program
Writer: Jon Zemke