}
UPDATE
350 S. Fifth Avenue is in the Pre-Entitlement Phase.
The Ann Arbor Housing Commission is proposing to rezone 350 S. Fifth Avenue as part of a pre-entitlement process, directed by City Council, to allow for the development of a minimum of 120 affordable housing units as part of a two phase mixed-income project. The downtown location and adjacency to the Blake Transit Center and William Street Bikeway also provide unique opportunities to emphasize alternative transportation and mobility. The anticipated submission of the rezoning application is summer 2021.
An Online Resident Participation meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 10, 2021, 5:30-7:30 PM via WWW.Zoom.COM. Meeting ID: 969 9665 7994 Passcode: 782575 | audio only call toll free: (877) 853-5247
Click to view: Online Resident Participation Meeting flier
The project will be discussed at the June 14, 2021 City Council Work Session.
Click to view: City Council presentation
DESCRIPTION
The City of Ann Arbor recently re-acquired 350 S. Fifth Avenue, commonly referred to as the former Y Lot. The site was home to the Ann Arbor YMCA from 1960-2005 until the current YMCA opened at the current West Washington site. The former YMCA building was demolished in 2008, including 100 affordable units associated with the former building. The site has served as a surface parking lot and has been at the forefront of several redevelopment considerations over the last decade. The City Council recently adopted Resolution R-18-173 outlining the priorities and criteria for redevelopment of the lot. The site is currently zoned D1, allowing 400% Floor Area Ratio (a percentage of building area to ground area) and approximately 900% Floor Area Ratio and approximately 18 story building heights with affordable housing bonuses. Key adjacent uses include the Blake Transit Center to the north, Downtown Library to the east, significant parking structures to the west and northeast, the new William Street bikeway to the south, and lower density uses south of William Street.
The City is considering the following objectives for redeveloping the former Y Lot:
Preferred Option Summary
-The size of the site is large and can support a significant number of affordable housing units
-The site scores competitively for potential 9% LIHTC financing
-The preferred option utilizes D1 zoning with density bonuses by right
-The preferred option does not develop over Blake Transit Center but does provide an additional transit bay for Blake expansion of off-street services
-The preferred option includes an east and west building with the taller east building stepped back from William Street
-The preferred option provides 418 housing units with a minimum of 130 affordable units (31%)
-The preferred option provides an approximate floor area ratio (FAR) of 800%, below the 900% allowable by right
-The preferred option includes two building towers that are 13 stories (west) and 18 stories (east) tall
Summary Comments from Engagement
-Overall willingness to maximize the building density on this site in order to optimize affordable housing
-Orient building(s) in a way that does not have a large building mass at the corner of William St. and 5th Ave.
-Re-building and/or building over Blake Transit Center may add too much complexity to the project
-Consider additional options to add even more affordability to the project
Next Steps
-On April 20, 2020, City Council approved resolution R-20-139 directing the City Administrator, AAHC, and Planning Commission to create proposed application materials, review and recommend development entitlements to the City Council.
Comments?