Ann English

Tue, Aug 13, 2013 : 12:24 a.m.

KMHall, When Whole Foods opened a location at Ann Arbor-Saline and Eisenhower, they moved into what used to be a Mervyn's store. I never have trouble getting into or out of that parking lot, nor do I have trouble finding parking spaces there. But like Plum Market, it does have exit driveways where you can turn in only one direction.

KMHall

Mon, Aug 12, 2013 : 7:05 p.m.

Yes, underground parking would be amazingly sensible and in line with density desires. It must be very expensive. I'm not sure the city should regulate such but some incentive might be made. I'm not crazy about the Whole Foods lot but I can go to Plum if I need that level of groceries as I live on the west side.The Whole Foods lot would have benefitted from some underground parking. There are attractive features in that mall. I'm glad they are all doing well in any case.

lucky

Mon, Aug 12, 2013 : 6:56 p.m.

YES!!! I would LOVE a Pei Wei in Ann Arbor! It's owned by PF Changs and offers many of the same menu items (like the popular lettuce wraps) at half the price, and has faster service. I would much rather have a Pei Wei than a PF Changs!

Kyle Mattson

Mon, Aug 12, 2013 : 4:02 p.m.

Interesting suggestion Jennie, the center is similar to some of the other Pei Wei locations in the Detroit area. We see regular comments on the site calling for a PF Chang's here in A2, maybe Pei Wei could be at least a halfway point to satisfy those cravings.

NSider

Mon, Aug 12, 2013 : 3:28 p.m.

Don't worry, all the plastic signs and neon will bright it up for you, so you can still have light after sunset!

KateT

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 3:46 a.m.

Ironically, the former indoor skating rink is just a few doors over from this shopping mall. The rink has been converted to the Vineyard.

talker

Mon, Aug 12, 2013 : 8:39 p.m.

I have a bookcase/cabinet from a furniture store that was there about 30 years ago. We once had an Oldsmobile from Lee Oldsmobile that was there. There were other businesses there between 1 and 2 decades ago. These included an Enterprise car rental site and a dog grooming business. I think Stucci's was there also.

Veracity

Mon, Aug 12, 2013 : 2:05 a.m.

Probably one to two decades. So pchbob believes that Arbor Hills can not fail and produce a modern blight. Let's hope so or we will otherwise have another Georgetown Mall.

mady

Mon, Aug 12, 2013 : 3:33 p.m.

Yeah, I agree. Oh yippie.

Brad

Mon, Aug 12, 2013 : 7:59 p.m.

And Superior Twp sounds like a name for a ... township.

Superior Twp voter

Mon, Aug 12, 2013 : 3:24 a.m.

http://www.northvillemich.com/index.aspx?page=218&recordid=191

Craig Lounsbury

Sun, Aug 11, 2013 : 10:46 p.m.

maybe they should rename it Saulk Trail Hills...errr.....wait thats taken too. As an old fart I go back to the days when Ann Arbor's landfill was active. I spent a few hours in that place unloading truckloads of shingles by hand.

ThinkingOne

Sun, Aug 11, 2013 : 7:04 p.m.

Through the years, I lived in various apartment complexes. When shopping for apartments, there were several that had the word 'Hills' in them. Never entered my head that, had I rented in one of them, people would think I was living in a landfill.

PhillyCheeseSteak

Mon, Aug 12, 2013 : 2:05 p.m.

There are hundreds of houses just south of this retail area that live east and west of Platt Road, that are within walking distance. However, there are portions of Platt Road (between Washtenaw and where it connects with Huron Parkway to the south) with NO sidewalks!

Veracity

Mon, Aug 12, 2013 : 1:54 a.m.

Ann English - Yes, local residents can walk to these stores but only if they are physically capable, have enough time and the weather is conducive. Oh, and if you plan on lots of purchases you better push a cart.

Ann English

Sun, Aug 11, 2013 : 10:29 p.m.

I've seen pedestrians on the sidewalk built recently on the north side of Washtenaw as I get onto it from Arlington. I still say that residents living on Glenwood, Exmoor, Warwick, Kenilworth and Arlington can walk to these stores. I know, you can't see most of their houses from Washtenaw Avenue, but they're there.

talker

Sun, Aug 11, 2013 : 5:58 p.m.

The use of the word "culture" is a controversial choice, IMHO. Meanwhile, I'm considering some suggestions about how the rec center can protect its membership. One would be to install a mechanical "arm" at the entrance to its parking lot near Washtenaw and have the arm activated by rec center membership cards. I haven't yet come up with a potential solution that serves users who buy daily passes. Besides needing the solution for rec center members, the potential loss of some Rec Center members would hurt the county financially and possibly lead to higher gym fees or curtailing other county services if some regulars choose to switch to another "gym."

Lizzy Alfs

Sun, Aug 11, 2013 : 3:59 p.m.

I agree about the photos. It's also a hard site to capture, but she did a great job. It was really active at the site last week, there were dozens of people working to finish the buildings, and then inventory was being brought into the individual stores.

talker

Sun, Aug 11, 2013 : 11:26 p.m.

I agree that the "smart cars" have safety issues and I wouldn't drive one and wouldn't want a relative to drive one. I consider my mid-size car small enough since we can easily get 2 vehicles into a barely 2 car garage. I always check the safety test results before even considering a car. For me a smaller vehicle is easier to maneuver. As I wrote, I respect those who choose larger vehicles. Some choose larger vehicles for the space to hold wheelchairs, walkers, and more passengers, etc..

Mike

Sun, Aug 11, 2013 : 9:49 p.m.

@TALKER "Though I drive a small (but not mini) car, I realize there are people who need to drive people around in minivans and other larger vehicles. Some people may drive larger cars because they needed to buy used cars of different sizes due to their budgets." Ever think that people drive larger vehicles for the comfort that they give? Maybe the added safety that is offered in a larger vehicle? I for one am very grateful for the added safety of larger vehicles, as my then 17 year old son may have been maimed or killed in a smaller vehicle. But, no matter, if the parking spaces are small I can choose to use 2, or choose not to use any. That is the nice thing about living here in this country.

talker

Sun, Aug 11, 2013 : 5:26 p.m.

Though I drive a small (but not mini) car, I realize there are people who need to drive people around in minivans and other larger vehicles. Some people may drive larger cars because they needed to buy used cars of different sizes due to their budgets.

arborani

Sun, Aug 11, 2013 : 4:44 p.m.

@ Dweller: Excellent point.

VillageDweller

Sun, Aug 11, 2013 : 3:28 p.m.

Weeeell. And I mean to say this gently ... The other side of this coin is the size of the vehicle that needs to be parked. There's a nice range of choices for vehicles nowadays. For instance, it looks like the Subaru Foresters & Outbacks fit into the WF lot pretty easily. As do the Priuses, Smartcars, old beat up Escorts, new Camaros, etc. The full size SUVs & mini-vans have a problem with fitting - yep. It's a choice you make for yourself.

Tina

Sat, Aug 17, 2013 : 2:35 p.m.

@blackstarwhitelight, One thing to consider: if more of the people who ARE capable walked, biked, or took public transportation more, there would be less traffic congestion and more parking for those who aren't. No one expects people with mobility issues to walk or bike everywhere, but the people who don't have mobility issues far outnumber those who do.

JRW

Mon, Aug 12, 2013 : 7:53 p.m.

Great idea, Criag, unless you plan to make some purchases. How do you expect to carry home multiple bags on a bike? What if it's raining?

blackstarwhitelight

Sun, Aug 11, 2013 : 7:53 p.m.

That's great if you're someone who has the physical capabilities to deal with such an exertion. Ann Arbor is one of the most ableist cities I have ever encountered. Their attitude towards the driving/parking problems by simply suggesting bike/bus usage is so "let them eat cake" that it's unreal. I hope you never find yourself unable to transport yourself easily like some of us do.

Craig Lounsbury

Sun, Aug 11, 2013 : 4:37 p.m.

excellent recommendation. ;)

a2citizen

Sun, Aug 11, 2013 : 2:52 p.m.

And then you can mount the bike on the rack on the #4 bus and take that to Arbor Hills.

Ann English

Sun, Aug 11, 2013 : 10:38 p.m.

Veracity, You say that left turns are now allowed from Platt to Washtenaw. What about going straight through the intersection, to Glenwood. Does the new traffic light allow through traffic THAT way, and vice versa (Glenwood to Platt)?

NSider

Mon, Aug 12, 2013 : 3:26 p.m.

Put a Big Lots or Dollar store in the shopping center, just to even out the attitudes a little.

Ann English

Sun, Aug 11, 2013 : 10:44 p.m.

Other businesses put up signs in their parking lots, saying they're for _________customers only, church business only, etc. If Meri Lou Murray does this, they may as well add, "Violators will be towed," and find a way to carry out the warning. Just saw a sign in front of private residence today near a canoe livery, saying something like, "Do not block driveway. Will be towed."

talker

Sun, Aug 11, 2013 : 6:13 p.m.

I agree about not giving people "ideas" about the lot, but other posters (and likely non-posters) did, too. Once that's become a public thought, we need to consider solutions. Under another topic I suggested a mechanical way to restrict the rec center to rec center users and that means being in the rec center. I also thought about the rec center handing out boards or cards to place on their dashboards and have police drive through the lot hourly to check dashboards. That would not be allowed if it was private property, but is a county building considered private and off limits to Ann Arbor policy. Would the fees collected from parking tickets pay the cost of patrolling the parking lot? Rec center users might want to think about ways to prevent fraudulent use of the center's parking lot.

arborani

Sun, Aug 11, 2013 : 4:41 p.m.

Shhhh . . . please don't give people ideas about the Murray lot . . .

Lizzy Alfs

Sun, Aug 11, 2013 : 2:14 p.m.

@Brad: V2V is a boutique that sells -stylish women's clothing, accessories, gift items and home products. There is a location in Kerrytown. You can see a photo gallery of the Kerrytown store here: http://www.annarbor.com/business-review/kerrytowns-v2v-to-open-new-store-in-arbor-hills-on-washtenaw-avenue/

Brad

Sun, Aug 11, 2013 : 1:53 p.m.

I clicked on the V2V link in the article which took me to their home page featuring an anorexic woman. What exactly do they sell?

jns131

Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 5:27 p.m.

Welcome to Ann Arbor. Where the council members don't think and the planning commissioner takes their cues from people who are from New York. Ann Arbor was never meant to handle this much traffic ever. This includes Washtenaw Ave. Glad I moved out.

talker

Sun, Aug 11, 2013 : 11:14 p.m.

a2citizen, it's not a matter of driving around the block. It's partly about getting stuck in traffic jams caused by overcrowding. In cities with dense populations and crowded malls, there are multi-level parking lots to accommodate shoppers and diners. Those shopping centers have multiple outlets onto designated streets that lead to multiple roads. Even a large mall in Salem, New Hampshire, just north of the Massachusetts border and with many more Massachusetts than New Hampshire license plates in the parking areas allows a flow of traffic that isn't possible in the new shopping center here. A main point is whether a new development is a nuisance to an already besieged driving and parking area.

johnnya2

Sun, Aug 11, 2013 : 2:50 p.m.

The Rec center has had a STUPID entrance and exit situation since it was built. The address is on Washtenaw, but you can not even enter the parking lot from Washtenaw. If car entrance/exit had been built on the west side of the center, there would be no issue. People coming from the east had to take a left on Huran Parkway and circle north up Platt to enter. That was BEFORE the shopping mall.

a2citizen

Sun, Aug 11, 2013 : 2:46 p.m.

A2 put pedestrian crossings all over town because people were too lazy to walk to a nearby intersection to cross at a light. As I interpret your complaint, you are too lazy to "drive" around the block.

Veracity

Sun, Aug 11, 2013 : 1:10 p.m.

I agree that drivers will quickly find it difficult to get out of Arbor Hills shopping center and the recreation center and onto Platt Road due to the backup of cars along Platt Road. The Meri Lou Murray Recreation Center will be wise to allow only right turns from its parking facility onto Platt Road. Patrons can drive South to Huron Parkway and circle back to use Washtenaw Avenue. Exiting Arbor Hills onto Washtenaw Avenue will be difficult when high traffic volumes occur such as after Michigan football games and rush hours.

LindaJ

Mon, Aug 12, 2013 : 1:10 a.m.

I noticed the same thing. Those trees need to be trimmed. Let's not wait until there's another accident in that area.

mermaid72

Sun, Aug 11, 2013 : 12:15 p.m.

Cut down the trees & build another parking lot!

KMHall

Mon, Aug 12, 2013 : 1:41 a.m.

Several of the stores going in there are not in any other shopping center in AA. Zola and V2V are only downtown and Anthropology is not here at all. Zola is popular and of high quality. V2V has decreased its profile in Kerrytown over the years but carries some very popular brands. They are a bit "upscale." Some people have strong political opposition to the owner of Anthropology (and Urban Outfitters) but many stylish young people love the clothes and will, thereby, frequent the new mall. I predict that it will be a success.

Jay Thomas

Mon, Aug 12, 2013 : 12:55 a.m.

The car dealership that was there ain't coming back. Needs something.

roadsidedinerlover

Sun, Aug 11, 2013 : 6:35 p.m.

Because the whiny Ann Arborites with their noses in the air demand a new one...LOL!

Arboriginal

Sun, Aug 11, 2013 : 3:08 p.m.

The money, it burns a hole in my pocket.

Brad

Sun, Aug 11, 2013 : 1:51 p.m.

And see-thru yoga pants. Where else are you going to get them?

Homeland Conspiracy

Sun, Aug 11, 2013 : 1:44 p.m.

Circus & Bread

a2cents

Sun, Aug 11, 2013 : 3:46 p.m.

or the uom athletic campus

GoNavy

Mon, Aug 12, 2013 : 1:43 a.m.

@KMHall- *Regularly* sized cars, and driving at the posted speeds, might make all of our lives better. Have a nice day, and good luck with you downvote-induced panic attacks.

KMHall

Mon, Aug 12, 2013 : 1:37 a.m.

GoNavy Thank you for your comment. I'm such a liberal I suffer too many down votes and don't always say what's on my mind. Smaller cars and slower traffic will allow us to enjoy all the shopping we want.

Arieswoman

Sun, Aug 11, 2013 : 5:38 p.m.

@Go Navy I have a small car. Still hate that parking lot! And yes, those great big cars park next to me making it impossible to see backing out.

GoNavy

Sun, Aug 11, 2013 : 4:40 p.m.

Stop buying "cars" that resemble land barges and you'll have less of a problem living in suburbia.

Brad

Mon, Aug 12, 2013 : 12:59 p.m.

Well I think the safety of the old crosswalk has been pretty well established, and it wasn't good.

Mike

Sun, Aug 11, 2013 : 9:57 p.m.

Hmmm even before they could verify the crosswalk was "safe" they whited out a warning sign... That is real smart. Who gave the order for that I wonder.

Ann English

Sun, Aug 11, 2013 : 9:55 p.m.

If the westbound lanes of I-94 had not been closed today, I would have found myself caught in a traffic jam on Washtenaw this afternoon, or forced to go west on Washtenaw from Arlington, from what you're all saying. The parking for the Eisenhower Parkway Whole Foods is much better than the WF on Washtenaw.

Lizzy Alfs

Sun, Aug 11, 2013 : 12:19 p.m.

Thank you!

Carrie Rheingans

Mon, Aug 12, 2013 : 8 p.m.

For folks who avoid Whole Foods and Barnes & Noble, there are many other locally owned alternatives (Literati and the People's Food Co-op downtown, where meters are free after 6pm M-Sa and all day Sunday, or Nicola's Books and Arbor Farms, both on the west side and have parking lots). Buy local or bye bye local!

rm1

Mon, Aug 12, 2013 : 3:13 a.m.

"Quite the opposite. Whole Foods received a variance so that they did not need to provide the requisite number of parking spots that a retailer of that size must normally provide." Do you have a source for that? What I posted I was told, not long after Whole Foods opened, by someone involved in the project. That's no guarantee it was accurate. But I'm pretty sure I've quoted correctly. A link to planning commission minutes or something like that would resolve this.

blackstarwhitelight

Sun, Aug 11, 2013 : 7:50 p.m.

DonBee - I do the same. I work right down the road, and I avoid that WF like the plague. Not only is there no parking, but the "professionals" that live/work around the immediate area are the worst kind of people. They fly through the parking lot with no concept of yielding to pedestrians, and they are the meanest lot. Around Christmas they were so packed up that some suit-n-tie yuppie jerk was coveting my parking space but wouldn't give me enough room to back up, and in the process of trying desperately to crank my wheel & creep out of my space so I didn't come within any distance of his precious car, my power steering pump blew. $300 out of my pocket that was supposed to go to family's gifts; merry Christmas! The only time that store is palatable is within an hour or two before they close, and even then it's fairly awful. I wish someone would realize that, by developing this new nonsense shopping complex, they're basically trying to put out a fire with kerosene.

CLX

Sun, Aug 11, 2013 : 5:59 p.m.

@rm1: Quite the opposite. Whole Foods received a variance so that they did not need to provide the requisite number of parking spots that a retailer of that size must normally provide. If I remember correctly, I believe they claimed that people would walk and ride their bikes there, allowing for the variance. There is no doubt that it is a very poorly designed lot with inadequate parking. It's an example of everything a parking lot should not be, and I've seen countless near misses of people going both in and out of that lot.

yaah

Sun, Aug 11, 2013 : 4:41 p.m.

OK - 310 parking spots. Take away at least 20-30 for the employees, right? Just doesn't seem like enough. Maybe I will be wrong and some places will be busier at different times than others so it will even out. But you have at most 300 spots for at least 17 places of business. Does that really seem adequate to anyone?

Brad

Sun, Aug 11, 2013 : 2:17 p.m.

No problem - use those nice, wide sidewalks on both sides of Washtenaw.

rm1

Sun, Aug 11, 2013 : 1:57 p.m.

The overcrowded parking a Whole Foods was not a surprise. I recall, I believe correctly, that the developers wanted more parking spaces, but that the AA Planning Commission and CC vetoed that.

DonBee

Sun, Aug 11, 2013 : 1:28 p.m.

Basic Bob - Whole foods and B&N in that combined lot means that at sometimes it is impossible to find a spot to park, so I do when I do when I can't find reasonable parking. I go elsewhere. I do not frequent that Whole Foods at all, nor the B&N. I have learned there are a few times during a week when parking is reasonable, and if I want a book, then I make the trip. But instead of that being a place to shop, it is a place to avoid for me.

Craig Lounsbury

Sun, Aug 11, 2013 : 1:18 p.m.

I "know people who know people" and that Whole Foods would die for more parking. The numbers in that store would be better with more parking.

Basic Bob

Sun, Aug 11, 2013 : 1:08 p.m.

The Whole Foods parking works well with smaller cars. Your Suburban or Grand Marquis will be a bit more of a problem.

Lizzy Alfs

Sun, Aug 11, 2013 : 12:30 p.m.

@yaah: The approved plans include 310 parking spaces, but Reiswerg said there could be slightly more than that.

yaah

Sun, Aug 11, 2013 : 12:16 p.m.

I'm not kidding at all. It looks inadequate. The Whole Foods lot is terrible. I and a lot of people I know actually avoid that store and that complex because of the parking problems. They may be doing a good business but it would be better if they had adequate parking. I go there maybe once every couple of months, would definitely be more if parking was better. You can dismiss this all you want but I am not alone in this.

DDOT1962

Sun, Aug 11, 2013 : 11:16 a.m.

Are you kidding? This development is going to be overrun with shoppers. It has a 'can't miss' mix of trendy, status conscious and iconic stores that Ann Arborites will flock to. It will draw from surrounding metro Detroit communities also, as some of these stores' Michigan presence will be unique to this mall. And if ease of parking were a condition for success, then the Whole Foods development across from this one on Washtenaw wouldn't still be open and thriving, would it?

Ann English

Tue, Aug 13, 2013 : 12:04 a.m.

I am glad that Glenwood isn't a cul-de-sac, right there across Washtenaw Avenue from Platt.

Mike

Sun, Aug 11, 2013 : 9:34 p.m.

Well, to be totally honest. I thought that Platt Road should have been a cul-de-sac ever since Huron Parkway was put in. That intersection has been terrible for decades. I am just hoping that the light helps more than the shopping center hurts. But still wish the businesses good luck.

blackstarwhitelight

Sun, Aug 11, 2013 : 7:45 p.m.

It isn't. They've started doing test runs of the "stop-and-go", and you can't even get through the Washtenaw-Huron intersection because everyone's stopped up ahead of you at the new light. This is going to be an unmitigated nightmare for those of us who work around there.