The Near North development continues its climb up the Ann Arbor development food chain as it makes it way through the city's Planning Commission.
It was turned down by the commission even though it voted 5-2 in favor of the project. Projects need six votes for approval recommendations, and two commissioners were absent. that didn't bother the developer, Bill Godfrey, who called it a "denial with a smile."
"We feel we have reached a point of finding that common ground," says Godfrey, partner in Three Oaks Group.
The Three Oaks Group is working with Avalon Housing to create the affordable housing project and had to change some features of it to gain the denial with a smile.
Near North is now 40-unit apartment building on Main Street, just south of Summit Street. The 4-story mixed-use structure also includes space for ground floor retail. The current plans call for it to remain at about the same height as surrounding housing.
"This thing is really tucked in there," Godfrey says.
A small greenspace and surface parking lot would go just north of the building. Godfrey mentioned it as a place for community gardens. The Summit Party Store at Main and Summit streets would remain, but could be incorporated into the project further down the line.
About 65 percent of these apartments would be set aside for entry level workforce for households that make less than $33,000. Think of the restaurant workers and recent college grads who work or want to live near downtown but are often forced to find housing outside the city or in student rentals because of cost and availability. The other 35 percent will be set aside for permanent supportive housing for people who are homeless or have disabilities.
The building would replace five single-family houses lining Main Street and the Summit Party Story. However, it will go for gold level LEED certification with such big-ticket items like geothermal heating and cooling systems and green roofs. It would also incorporate a modern design.
The project is expected to go before the City Council in July for final approval. Construction could begin as early as October or November.
Source: Bill Godfrey, partner in Three Oaks Group
Writer: Jon Zemke
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