Ann Arbor may be a great city known for its open spaces and vibrant community, however downtown there is much happening with areas which are not working being spruced up and rejuvenated and unused sites cleared for new developments.

For instance there is a new high-rise building called the “Metro” apartment project - a 202 unit, 9 story building at Washington & Division Streets which has approval from the city council in 2006 no has asked for a two year extension of the site plan approval.

The 0.12 acre lot was purchased in 2008 by Illinois based hotel developer “First Hospitality Group” who changed its plans for the building last year to 16 studio units and 72 one bedroom properties, originally the proposal included 12 studios and 30 two bedroom units.

Despite the delays it is expected that this project will go ahead and the extension will go through the approval process shortly.

Watch this space for more information on downtown Ann Arbor Real Estate & Development.

Click here to search Ann Arbor Real Estate using our complimentary Ann Arbor Real Estate MLS Search service. Alternatively please contact Kathy Toth and the team if you need more specific assistance in your Ann Arbor Real Estate needs.

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Keller Williams Realty

The National Association of Realtors is asking lawmakers to help improve energy efficiency in homes by offering incentives to homeowners.

We have already spoken how going green not only helps conserve resources and save the planet, but also how it can aid you in the sale of your home!

However in the long term there is a natural trend towards conservation, recycling and renewable resources. Enticing homeowners to improve their energy efficiency is no easy task!

NAR has expressed support for the approach and overarching goals behind the Green Resources for Energy Efficient Neighborhoods (GREEN) Act, H.R. 2336. The National Association of Realtors believes that improving the energy efficiency of the nation’s homes and buildings can be best accomplished with incentives and education.

H.R. 2336 would establish incentives to encourage energy efficient building, rehabilitation and upgrades. In addition, the bill provides a loan fund for states to implement renewable energy projects and would encourage a number of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development demonstration and pilot programs that would provide best practices and great experiences for promoting energy efficiency in housing.

This is welcome news as small changes in our neighborhood have an impact on the nation and the world as a whole.

Developers have started to building green homes (for instance using solar panels) and Americans as a whole are learning ways to decrease energy usage whilst not compromising lifestyle.

Watch this space for more information on this bill and details of any incentive for Ann Arbor homeowners to become more energy efficient!

Turn your energy efficient efforts into not just an environment saving project but a selling feature!

Click here to search Ann Arbor Real Estate using our complimentary Ann Arbor Real Estate MLS Search service. Alternatively please contact Kathy Toth and the team if you need more specific assistance in your Ann Arbor Real Estate needs.

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Keller Williams Realty

The Ann Arbor City Council recently approved the proposed Fifth Avenue Parking structure in a 10-1 vote.  The underground structure is part of a plan to replace surface parking on the 300 block of South Fifth Avenue, north of the Ann Arbor District Library.  They did approve the plan with one change however, a $6 million reduction in the project which takes the scope from 785 parking spaces down to just over 500.  This is founded by eliminating a significant section that was supposed to run under Fifth Avenue.

Ann Arbor Business owners weighed in on Tuesday night - most in support of the project.  Since downtown parking is scarce (in fact, one attendee cited the fact that a business of 120 people was moving to Pittsfield Township due to parking woes), most in attendance stressed the importance of increasing the supply.  Noted was the pedestrian-friendly nature of the structure and the Downtown Development Authority’s contributions to mass transit efforts such as the commuter bus “GetDowntown” Program.

In the minority were some citizens that argued this project is at odds with Ann Arbor’s other transit efforts.  They believe further scrutiny of downtown parking demand is warranted.  The new structure will be funded with a $56.4 million financing plan.  This includes a 15% down payment and a bond for the remaining $47 million.  Bond repayment is based on an Ann Arbor parking revenue stream of about $13 million/year.

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Three new student apartment projects nearing completion in Ann Arbor will offer an innovate form of student leasing - individual rental agreements within the multi-tenant units.  This is fast becoming the most popular way to rent to students in college towns.  Zaragon Place, 4 Eleven Lofts and The Courtyards will all allow individual student leases.  This frees student lease holders from the woes of delinquent roommate payments and puts the onus back on the developer to deal with collection problems.  This of course makes things a little more difficult for the landlord but nationwide similar campaigns have been a great success in attracting student renters.  It’s not yet a very common practice in Ann Arbor.

Luxury amenities are also drawing Ann Arbor student renters.  Internet access, Cable or Satellite TV and rooms with washers and dryers are becoming a common part of the offering.  Rooms at Zaragon Place will also provide furnishings, flat screen TVs, 9.5 foot ceilings, granite countertops and stainless appliances.

The Corner House, completed in 2003 also offers individual student leases.  Zaragon Place has 248 bedrooms in 66 units and will be ready this spring while The Courtyards offers 896 bedrooms and will be ready by the end of August 09.  4 Eleven Lofts has 96 units and 342 bedrooms and is also under construction.

With all this new competition what will happen to rents in Ann Arbor?  It’s hard to speculate but some of the older stock may be forced to lower rents or fix up units to fill beds.

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The proposed Washtenaw and Livingston commuter rail Line (WALLY) is slowly moving again. The project stalled out after the release of a feasibility study with estimated start up costs slated at around $32 million. High start up costs would be largely related to infrastructure improvement. The proposed commuter rail line would extend from the City of Howell to Ann Arbor with seven total stops (Howell, Genoa Township, Hamburg Township, Barton Road, 8 Mile Road in Whitmore Lake, Ann Arbor and U of M). Daily trains would run on tracks owned by the Great Lakes Central Railroad who early on committed to providing 10 bi-level passenger cars. WALLY was originally proposed as an alternative to adding a third lane on US 23, slated to cost over $500 million.

Although the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority replaced the WALLY Authority due to unclear funding commitments and non-committal from Livingston County, the study continues to move forward. The Washtenaw Area Transportation Study (WATS) is still finishing up environmental clearance work at all seven stops. This is a federal process so there is no proposed time line for a finish date. A $96,000 grant was received recently which will help to fund a transportation survey about potential commuter habits in Livingston and Washtenaw Counties.

If the project were to go forward service would not be immediate in all seven locations - transportation authority officials conservatively hope to see WALLY operating by 2010. After three years of service the would become eligible for federal transportation funding.

The Ann Arbor City Council has finally approved the 601 Forest project, well part of it anyway.  The original plan contained 26 stories, 1,100 beds and 342 units.  The ‘revised’ plan is only 14 stories with 150-175 rooms and 570-610 units.  So those in favor of horizontal Ann Arbor growth should be pleased.  Units will be furnished and offer amenities such as flat screen TVs and large windows with great campus views.  The project will be marketed solely to University of Michigan students.  The space will also contain a cafe, fitness facility, business center and rooftop garden. 

Developers at 601 Forest plan to use environmentally friendly building processes, construction materials and systems.  Plans include:

• Passive solar technologies
• Advanced water recapture systems
• A Green roof

Developers plan to seek at least a silver LEED certification from the US Green Building Council.  And for those of you wondering… the Mud Bowl will be staying.

For more information about Ann Arbor condos please contact Kathy Toth & Team

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Toyota will be building a new $187-million technical center in York Township near Ann Arbor.  The project is expected to infuse 1,100 jobs to the region by 2010.  Although the auto industry faces difficult economic conditions, Governor Jennifer Granholm is excited to bring innovation and vehicle evolution back to the Michigan marketplace.  The technical center, located at the corner of US 23 and Willis Road, is Toyota’s primary research and development center in North America.  The company will also continue to occupy the research and development campus in Ann Arbor Township.  Toyota’s tech center has historically played a role in the research and development of vehicles such as the Tundra, Venza and Camry Solara. 

The future will see expanded center capabilities with the new building.  Times for the auto industry are tough, but Toyota’s renewed interest in Michigan is a big win for state economic development.

FREE MLS Search - View Current Homes for Sale Search the local Ann Arbor MLS and find the homes for sale in your desired area. Stop looking through 3 different papers, get the whole Ann Arbor homes list here for FREE. Plus receive daily updates via email, for any new listings. All for FREE - no strings attached!

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NetEnrich, a company offering Remote Infrastructure Management Services announced plans to open a research and development center along with network operations in Ann Arbor.  This new facility will create at least 250 new area jobs and should be in operations as soon as the end of 2008.  NetEnrich is positioned to help small to medium enterprises better leverage technology and infrastructure.  Their goals is to help companies reduce IT operation costs from 30-50% making them more competitive and efficient in the long run.

NetEnrich’s Ann Arbor R&D center will support product and software development and will be equipped to provide remote IT services to clients in North America, Japan and Europe.  They are excited to tap into Ann Arbor’s talented job pool and to infuse an American market with new jobs versus outsourcing to overseas markets.  We welcome them to our community!  

FREE MLS Search - View Current Homes for Sale Search the local Ann Arbor MLS and find the homes for sale in your desired area. Stop looking through 3 different papers, get the whole Ann Arbor homes list here for FREE. Plus receive daily updates via email, for any new listings. All for FREE - no strings attached!

Find Out  the Value of Your Ann Arbor Home Get an over the net estimate of how much your Ann Arbor home is worth - FREE! We search the local MLS, along with data the public does not have access to, and find out how much your home is worth in current market conditions.

Zaragon, developer of the Zaragon Place student project on East University, recently closed a deal to purchase the old NBD Bank Building and 0.32 acres at the corner of William and Thompson streets.  Although yet unconfirmed, the old bank site may become another Ann Arbor student housing project.  Zaragon believes the Ann Arbor real estate market is primed for well-built, designed and located student housing. 

• The 4Eleven Lofts at Division and Washington
• 601 Forest planned for the corner of
• South University and Forest
• 425 E. Washington
• North Quad on State Street
• A North campus project on Plymouth Road

Most developers believe the student housing market is strong enough to absorb all this activity.  As more of these projects get completed and "go to market" additional insight will be gained.  Zaragon Place is scheduled to be opening next spring with 248 beds.  According to representatives pre-leasing activity is hot right now.

FREE MLS Search - View Current Homes for Sale Search the local Ann Arbor MLS and find the homes for sale in your desired area. Stop looking through 3 different papers, get the whole Ann Arbor homes list here for FREE. Plus receive daily updates via email, for any new listings. All for FREE - no strings attached!

Find Out  the Value of Your Ann Arbor Home Get an over the net estimate of how much your Ann Arbor home is worth - FREE! We search the local MLS, along with data the public does not have access to, and find out how much your home is worth in current market conditions.

 Kathy Toth and Team
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Keller Williams Realty

On the Ann Arbor development scene, developer Mike Concannon is taking his Gallery project one slow step at a time.  He recently announced that he will start with a four-story building on Fourth Avenue instead of the larger Main Street building.  The Fourth Avenue building will house 18 residential units and ground floor retail.  The project will house 123 condos and rental lofts in total including office, retail and 200 underground parking spaces. 

Concannon originally planned to start with the larger building but decided to wait for the economy to revitalize.  For now, he plans to raise the former Greek Orthodox Church and use it as a temporary parking lot for construction workers.

Concannon’s Fourth Avenue building will be marketed as luxury Ann Arbor lofts.  The next phase will hopefully take place when the housing market begins to bounce back.

Joseph Freed Associates 4 Eleven Lofts project is on schedule to be completed in May of 09.  Marketing and leasing are ahead of schedule and finding tenants hasn’t been a problem.  The struggling economy doesn’t seem to be having much of an effect on college kids.  4 Eleven Lofts is conveniently located next to campus.  The project has 342 beds and 15,000 sqft of ground floor retail space.

FREE MLS Search - View Current Homes for Sale Search the local Ann Arbor MLS and find the homes for sale in your desired area. Stop looking through 3 different papers, get the whole Ann Arbor homes list here for FREE. Plus receive daily updates via email, for any new listings. All for FREE - no strings attached!

Find Out  the Value of Your Ann Arbor Home Get an over the net estimate of how much your Ann Arbor home is worth - FREE! We search the local MLS, along with data the public does not have access to, and find out how much your home is worth in current market conditions.

 Kathy Toth and Team
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Keller Williams Realty