Ann Arbor welcomed part of its wave of downtown condominium projects this decade, but while some that didn't meet with support fell off the radar, one survives.

That one took years - and many incarnations - before it reached a stage where all entities could support the effort.

But that's what happened this fall for Near North.

The affordable housing development planned for North Main Street brought together neighbors, developers and city officials.

And along the way, an Ann Arbor nonprofit joined the mix.

With the addition of Avalon Housing to the development team, Three Oaks Group found an encouraging solution for property it had sought to develop for over five years.

The result was a unique collaboration that shows the power of development vision and community input.

The property originally had been considered for a 30-home condominium project called "Terraces on Main." That project - proposed in 2004 - called for the demolition of five houses that Three Oaks Group had purchased.

Initial reaction to that project was not welcoming from the city or neighbors.

But by late 2008, Three Oaks Group emerged as a partner with Avalon Housing, after acquiring three more adjoining properties.

And the new plans called for 60 affordable units on the site instead of condos in the $300,000 to $400,000 range.

Reaction to that proposal also drew fire from neighbors who voiced concerns over the building's height and density.

But the conversion to affordable housing caught the city's attention. Near North will include both 14 units of supportive housing and apartments for people with 30-50 percent of the area’s median income.

Neighborhood meetings resulted in many revisions to the plans.

So did appearances before Planning Commission and City Council.

By the end of the process, the size of the building had been scaled back and the configurations were switched to fill a need for one-bedroom units. The building will be LEED-certified, among the public benefits.

"The building is better," said Bill Godfrey of Three Oaks after the plans were approved this fall. "The design is better, its profile is much lower, it's no taller than four stories, and it'll be a great addition to that neighborhood."

Paula Gardner is Business Director at AnnArbor.com. She can be reached at paulagardner@annarbor.com or (734) 623-2586.

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