Even as Ann Arbor undergoes an unprecedented construction boom, City Hall had pushed for the sale of the publicly-owned land adjacent to the Downtown Public Library. Despite its never being accepted or approved by City Council, The DDA’s Connecting William Street report served as the basis for an Offering Memorandum. After an outside consulting firm, CBRE vetted 9 proposals, the one that offered the highest purchase price was selected. In April 2017, the Ann Arbor City Council voted 8-3 to go forward with CORE Spaces proposal to build a 17-story luxury, hotel/apartment tower on the site.
A group of dedicated Ann Arborites gathered over 6,000 valid petition signatures from Ann Arbor voters in order to place the future of the Library Lot on the November 2018 ballot. A majority of Ann Arbor voters approved the Proposal A Charter Amendment, an action consistent with prior downtown planning.
Ann Arbor’s 2005 Calthorpe Vision Plan for Downtown:
“Encourage the creation of new public spaces within the Downtown and rehabilitation of existing spaces: Pursue and design a Town Square or central civic area that incorporates an outdoor meeting Place.…”
The Charter Amendment recognizes the high expectations the people of Ann Arbor hold for their city, higher than a high rise. It shows we care about community and a heritage for future. It believes there is a wealth of creativity, philanthropy, volunteerism and love in Ann Arbor, more than enough to co-create a beautiful Center of the City destination on the Library Lot block. The site will be interesting, diverse, multi-venue, all-season: a community commons for everyone.
Please read, share, download or print these documents:
The Long Struggle for a Downtown Central Park
City Council Resolution Designating Library Lot Site a Public Park
Please read and share our Citizen’s Report on the Reuse of the Top of the Library Lot! You can read it online and even print it out after downloading the pdf file.
One of the most comprehensive and up-to-date sources regarding the Library Lot is the “Local in Ann Arbor” blog. This website welcomes suggestions for other links and relevant information.
Use the links below to find more information about the Library Lot, Ann Arbor’s planning process and the success of central parks and public spaces in generating positive outcomes for downtowns.
- Satellite view of the library lot circa spring 2010
- Ann Arbor developers, officials eyeing downtown properties, September 2012
- Advocates for Library Green speak to Board, Ann Arbor Chronicle, August 2011
- Library Lot – Bottom to Top, Ann Arbor Chronicle, August 2011
- New York’s Highline Project Should Inspire Ann Arbor, March 2012
- Library Green advocates speak at Parks Advisory Commission, February 2013
- The South Fifth Ave. Underground Parking Structure, Local in Ann Arbor
- The Library Lot, the DDA and the RFP Process, Local in Ann Arbor
- Parking Deck Construction Continues, July 18, 2011
- Ann Arbor Public Library Director Josie Parker, Concentrate, July 2010
- Parks Plan and Downtown Open Space, Ann Arbor Chronicle, June 2010
- Parks Plan and the Greenway, Ann Arbor Chronicle, July 2011
- Library Lot Discussion at DDA meeting, June 2012
- Luckenbach Study of the Library Block, June 1991 (pdf)
- Public Land — Public Process
- Arbor Update — Let’s Talk Conference Center
- Allen Creek Greenway Conservancy
Public Parks: A key to successful downtowns
- Key Quality of Place Characteristics, July 2011.
- New Plaza for Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Parking Lots as Public Spaces
Boston’s Post Office Square is an example of a hugely successful downtown public park created atop an underground parking structure:
Falls Park in downtown Greenville, South Carolina is an engine for economic development.
Paley Park in New York City is a very popular gathering place with a cascading water feature and moveable chairs.
Campus Martius – with its popular ice rink – has helped to transform the center of Detroit.