Ann Arbor seeks public input as it mulls turning two vacant city lots into affordable housing

Community discussions to take place Dec. 5-9

ANN ARBOR – Ann Arbor residents and those who work in or spend a considerable amount of time in town are invited to upcoming open-house style community discussions on affordable housing and the potential redevelopment of two vacant city lots.

According to city officials, the city is launching a “public engagement process to assist in developing a shared understanding and language about affordable housing, and its relationship to jobs, development, growth and planning, by creating a framework for discussing or evaluating these issues.”

Affordable housing has long been an issue in Ann Arbor, and many are divided over how to conquer it.

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The two vacant city lots at question for redevelopment are at 350 S. Fifth Ave. and 415 W. Washington St.

The community discussions will take place Dec. 5-9 and consist of five, four-hour sessions. The city hopes the conversations will be “honest and interactive.”

“These community discussions are intended to encourage candid and open conversations," Derek Delacourt, City of Ann Arbor community services administrator said in a statement. “Our goal is the co-creation of solutions and development concepts for these two properties in order to assist City Council in understanding community sentiment regarding reuse of these sites."

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Community members are invited to attend one session, and meetings have been planned during the day, evening and over the weekend so all have the opportunity to attend.

Locations:

  • Thursday, Dec. 5: Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority, 150 S. 5th Ave., Suite 301, 5-9 p.m.
  • Friday, Dec. 6: Ann Arbor District Library Downtown Branch, third floor freespace, noon-4 p.m.
  • Saturday, Dec. 7: Ann Arbor YMCA, Michigan Room, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
  • Sunday, Dec. 8: Cirq, 210 S. 1st St., noon-4 p.m.
  • Monday, Dec. 9: Ann Arbor District Library Downtown Branch, third floor freespace, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

To learn more, or to share feedback if you cannot attend a discussion, visit the project’s website.