You know work is ready to begin when the politicians and corporate chieftains dig fancy shovels into the ground, pose for pictures and make speeches about how important this project is to the local area.
That's about what will happen today when the Strathmore Development Company holds the ceremonial ground breaking for its Lower Town project in Ann Arbor. Gov. Jennifer Granholm, Michigan Economic Development Corporation CEO James C. Epolito and Ann Arbor Mayor Pro Tem Marcia Higgins will accompany the developers of the project to officially kick off the start of construction for the development.
Yes, preliminary work actually began late last year. But now that the holiday season has passed, a new year is upon us and the ceremonial shovels have been used, construction can begin in earnest. Workers hope to finish the mega development, also called Broadway Village, by late 2009.
Strathmore is redeveloping 7.3 acres at the southeast corner of Plymouth Road and Maiden Lane long dominated by a brownfield site composed of a vacant shopping center and a handful of other old commercial buildings. Those buildings will be replaced with a large mixed-use development meant to compliment the nearby University of Michigan Hospital and Lower Town district.
The $171 million project consists of seven buildings that will include residential, retail, medical and office space in a walkable, urban setting. Of the development's total square footage, 226,118 square feet of it will be for 185 upscale residential rental apartments. Another 138,275 square feet will be dedicated to commercial retail space and 152,689 square feet will be built for office space. There will also be a 760-unit parking deck.
That section of the city's north side is a popular place to live for UofM Hospital medical students and staff. Hundreds of apartments and condos have been developed in that area along the Huron River and close to noted local institutions, such as the Northside Grill.
Source: Strathmore Development Company
Writer: Jon Zemke
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