Next in line for high-density development in downtown Ann Arbor – The Moravian.
The project proposed for the south side of the downtown area, in a mostly light industrial area, comes before the city Planning Commission this week. This time it's dramatically different than the first time it came around (then called The Madison)... but at the same time, not really.
The most striking difference is the size and design. The Madison featured a sleek, contemporary design. The Moravian is designed to blend in much better with the surrounding century-old housing stock.
"We have gone to much more of a traditional look now," says Jeff Helminski, the developer of The Moravian. "It's much more similar to the residential properties to the north of us."
The Madison called for 14 stories of 161 apartments on Madison Street, between Fourth and Fifth avenues and across the street from Fingerle Lumberyard. The high-rise would have featured a number of green features, like several levels of underground parking, Zipcars and geothermal heating systems. All of it was geared toward workforce housing, namely young professionals who want to live and work downtown.
The Moravian, is significantly downscaled, and would have 4-5 stories (depending on which end of building you start at) with 63 apartments and 164 bedrooms. Gone are the Zipcars, but staying is the geothermal heating system. Helminski plans to go for LEED certification. Affordable housing units will also be part of the mix.
"When we get done with this I think it will be the greenest market-rate, multi-family apartment building in the city," Helminski says.
A level of ground-floor parking (90 spaces) behind 3-6 units of ground floor retail on Madison is also proposed. The ground floor retail units will be connected to residential units above figuratively but not physically because the ground floor area is in a flood plain. The retail spaces will measure between 1,500-3,000 square feet and will be available for the likes of professional offices (architects, attorneys, etc) or even art galleries.
"This will set the tone for future retail along that corridor," Helminski says.
UPDATE: Unfortunately, Ann Arbor's Planning Commission, after listening to loud protests from neighbors, sent the Moravian's developers back to the drawing board last night. (read about it at AnnArbor.com).
Source: Jeff Helminski, developer of The Moravian
Writer: Jon Zemke
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