353 S. Main Street

UPDATE

• November 18, 2019, R-19-521 City Council added 353 S. Main to the financial feasibility analysis
• April 20, 2020, R-20-131 AAHC directed to conduct community engagement around potential development options to determine optimal development plan in support of affordable housing
• April 19, 2021 AAHC shares results of community engagement process with City Council
• April 19, 2021, City Council agenda item 21-0647 to designate the AAHC to develop the property as affordable housing
• Next Steps: AAHC hires development team, starts site plan approval process and secures financing

The project will be discussed at the June 14, 2021 City Council Work Session.

Click to view: City Council presentation

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DESCRIPTION

353 S. Main is located on the northeast corner of Main and William in Ann Arbor. The site is an important gateway to the downtown MainStreet district. The site is 7,000 SF and is currently a surface parking lot managed by the DDA as a paid parking lot. The lot contains 24 parking spaces. Additional public parking is provided on-street and in the 4th and Washington Structure immediately adjacent to the site. There are 2,781 off-street and 473 on-street parking spaces within a 1/4 mile of the site. The site is seasonally used for public events. Key adjacent uses include the Main St and Liberty St businesses and the William St bike lane. As of September 2020, demolition started on the DTE Edison building immediately south of the site. The proposed development for that site includes a 10-story mixed use building.

The site is currently zoned D1, Downtown Core District.D1 zoning allows for a maximum of 180 feet and a Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of 900%with affordable housing premiums. Due to the size of the parcel, the maximum FAR is reached before the building approaches 180 feet. The development is subject to secondary street frontage requirements and Main Street Character Overlay District. All concepts include an active ground floor and off-site parking strategy. From a financial perspective, the site would be eligible for a Lower Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) development.  

The city is subsequently working on a downtown parking analysis and downtown housing market study. The results of those studies will be integrated with community feedback in December 2020 report out.

The City is considering the following objectives for redeveloping 353 S. Main

- Maximize affordable housing units below 60% AMI

- Maximize market rate housing units

- Develop a mix of housing unit types and prices

- Activate the ground floor for public benefit

- Provide parking on site

- Maintain some City ownership/control

- Contribute to Main Street character

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