Take two! Ann Arbor SPARK's East Incubator is getting off to a fast start now that the start-up business incubator has chosen the Mack & Mack building in downtown Ypsilanti.

SPARK originally chose an old Smith Furniture store on Washington Street for its Ypsilanti satellite office earlier this summer, but that deal fell through. That led to the switch to the Mack & Mack, 211-215 W. Michigan Ave. next door to Bombadill's Cafe, and its 8,300 square feet of space.

"The location is ideal," says Elizabeth Parkinson, director of marketing and public relations for SPARK. "There is some parking and its space we think we can fill quickly with tenants."

The plan is to finish the space by December so somewhere between 5-10 companies can move into it shortly thereafter. Maurer Management & Properties, a local family owned firm, will rehab the structure which was actually up for auction last year. The new space will feature conference rooms, office space, networking space and a full kitchen.

SPARK chose downtown Ypsilanti because it wants a vibrant district that will help foster an entrepreneurial echo system. The idea is to bring more new economy businesses to Ypsilanti that will help reinvigorate its economy and provide an attractive area for them at the same time.

"What you really want is something people can walk to and from, where there is some foot traffic to pull from," Parkinson says.

This office will be the latest offering in SPARK's emerging Regional Incubator Network. SPARK already has an office in downtown Ann Arbor, its Central Business Incubator at 330 E. Liberty St., and the SPARK Wetlab Incubator at 2900 Huron Parkway on Ann Arbor's north side.

Source: Elizabeth Parkinson, director of marketing and media relations for Ann Arbor SPARK
Writer: Jon Zemke