There is always something happening at the University of Michigan – this news is no exception!

The law school has received a $10 million gift to aid in the $102 million expansion of that department.

The gift was from a suburban Detroit developer who was an alumnus of the University. In recognition of the gift, the university is naming one new building the Robert B. Aikens Commons after the donor. It will have two-stories and 16,000 square feet.

The project also includes a new four-story class building and is scheduled for completion in 2012. The development will include a new Law School Commons and expansion of instructional space at the historic Law Quadrangle for the first time since the school’s main classroom building opened in 1933.

The school and university as a whole are excited about the project as well as the extremely generous gift by Mr. Aikens, who is one of the country’s most prominant developers and has, in his portfolio of projects regional shopping centers, main-street lifestyle centers, community centers, commercial office buildings and resort communities.

The development of the buildings at the Law School will naturally take time but will be watched closely by all in Ann Arbor.

NEED MORE INFORMATION ON OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN IN ANN ARBOR? CONTACT US!

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Keller Williams Realty

Student Housing is always something which evokes memories for college graduates of small basic dorms and apartments lacking every luxury but the most basic necessities.

Not anymore!

Here in Ann Arbor, Michigan, The Courtyards, a private dorm on the edge of the University of Michigan’s North Campus is luxury student accomodation in downtown.

The Courtyards is ideally located for easy access to the all of UM’s north campus facilities as well as the shops and restaurants of downtown Ann Arbor.

This fall’s opening of the final phase of The Courtyards high-rise near North Campus closes at least seven years of development by two successive companies. The project at the eastern intersection of Plymouth and Broadway still has vacancies as the third and final building in the complex opens to residents, developers said this week. The property managers purchased the 5.4-acre property for $1.8 million in August 2005 and renamed it The Courtyards.

The original vision for the project was to construct hundreds of upscale rentals with privacy and onsite amenities – and it has taken hold in Ann Arbor as three additional new projects reconfigure the student rental market.

The property has 896 individually leased bedrooms – each with its own bathroom – in the 358,000-square-foot facility comprising three buildings: two of 117,000 square feet and one of 124,000 square feet, plus underground parking. The units range from one to four bedrooms and onsite amenities areavailable  in the larger building.

Definitely an exciting project for Ann Arbor showing the growing trend towards luxury properties in the area.

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Keller Williams Realty

At some point in everyone’s life, they want to live in that great urban environment that is “downtown“. To be a part of the urban landscape and enjoy all that it offers. (See our previous post featuring a Google employee discussing what it is like to live in Downtown Ann Arbor)

However you don’t want to give up the comforts of “home” just to realize that dream. Whether you chose to buy a property downtown to save time on your commute to the office or just to enable you to get fit by walking more, the reason is yours and of course these days you can get a condo unit which combines luxurious downtown living as well as affordability.

One such project which offers these is Ashley Terrace, a 94 unit 9 story building in downtown which offers compelling views as well as being situated near restaurants, shops and other services. The units are one block from the YMCA and only a mile to the University of Michigan central campus – a short walk to the stadium so you can catch that all important football game!

The units at Ashley Terrace are well appointed with hardwood floors, maple cabinetry, ceramic tiles as well as granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances. The units are available in 1, 2 or even 3 bedroom varieties with between 1 and 2.5 bathrooms. Building Association fees include gas, water, sewer, garbage pick up, indoor parking as well as secure storage. The building has been complete for some time and residents have already moved in so if you are looking for a great condo downtown then you need to act fast!

See the video below which shows you how luxurious and convenient the units are:

Please contact our office for more information on this development and its units.  Ashley Terrace Condominiums are located at 111 N. Ashley St   Ann Arbor, MI 48104-1308.

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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!

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.