Development News

Ann Arbor asks developers for new plans for 415 W Washington

Wednesday, March 04, 2009

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Arts & Culture, Downtown Living, Redevelopment

Ann Arbor

The city of Ann Arbor is pulling a bit of a Mulligan with the redevelopment of 415 W Washington.

The city is about to ask the three developers who presented plans for the 2.5-acre property just northwest of downtown to resubmit updated plans for slightly changed guidelines. The new request for proposals will probably go out by mid March. Only the original three developers can submit proposals.

"It's very similar to the previous one," says Wendy Rampson, city planner for Ann Arbor. "It presents some additional guidelines in a couple of areas."

Among the changes to guidelines regard the flood plain, use of space and access points to the site. City officials would like to see the developers present plans that lets the city keep the flood plain as a greenway, incorporate residential space and have vehicle entryways to both Liberty and Washington streets.

Besides that, pretty much everything remains the same. It's still same-sized parcel next to the railroad tracks that once served as the city's old Department of Public Works. The city no longer has use for it and issued a request for proposals early last year.

The three developers that responded include the Ann Arbor Art Center, Chicago-based developer Morningside Group (the Liberty Lofts people) and the Old West Square LLC (a partnership that includes Peter Allen of Kingsley Lane and Lower Town fame).

Source: Wendy Rampson, city planner for Ann Arbor
Writer: Jon Zemke