Easy does it: Zingerman's moves Annex building as part of Ann Arbor deli's expansion
Plans for the Zingerman’s Deli expansion in Ann Arbor moved forward Monday when the Annex building also moved — about 12 feet to the east.
The distinctive orange Annex building now temporarily rests on nearby "cribbing," a temporary foundation, after it was lifted off its original foundation Friday and then moved Monday afternoon over about four hours.
“The biggest reason to move the Annex now is so we can start the demolition on the patio,” said Pete Sickman-Garner, spokesman for the Zingerman’s family of businesses.
That demolition is part of the site preparation work for a multimillion dollar expansion of the iconic deli, located at 422 Detroit St. on the edge of Kerrytown.
The Zingerman's Annex building rests off its foundation as workers move the structure to a new location Monday afternoon.Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
Work so far has included demolishing a fire-damaged house on East Kingsley Street, in addition to the Annex move. Eventually, a 10,340-square-foot building will be added to the reconfigured campus. And as part of that plan, the Annex will be relocated to a position near its original foundation.
But in the meantime, the land where the Annex stood will be regraded to reduce the slope and make a planned courtyard area more accessible.
Working on that courtyard before the major construction starts is an important step in the process, Sickman-Garner said.
“Getting the courtyard to where we need it to be will help us this coming year even with all of the disruption of the construction,” he said.
Chris Love of Phoenix Contractors of Ypsilanti Township is the project manager for the construction effort. He described the Annex moving as seamless, thanks to the expertise of Deitz House Movers of Muskegon.
The job started March 1, when workers lifted the house onto jacks, took siding off and shored up the interior for the move, Love said.
A crew of two prepped the house, and brought on one more person for the move, Love said.
The effort attracted some attention, Love added: “People walking by were asking, ‘Why are you saving it?’”
Next steps for the project also include building an underground retention system beneath the new courtyard, Love said.
“This will be the most visible change that you’ll see there for a while,” he said.
At the same time, deli operations continue — including use of the nearby Kerrytown building that formerly housed eve the restaurant.
Paula Gardner is Business News Director of AnnArbor.com. Contact her at 734-623-2586 or by e-mail. Sign up for the weekly Business Review newsletter, distributed every Thursday, here.
Comments
David Hunsche
Wed, Mar 9, 2011 : 12:37 a.m.
Small correction, Paula. It's Phoenix Contractors (<a href="http://www.phoenixco.biz)" rel='nofollow'>www.phoenixco.biz)</a>.
Paula Gardner
Wed, Mar 9, 2011 : 12:55 a.m.
Correction made. Thank you!
sigdiamond
Tue, Mar 8, 2011 : 6:53 p.m.
You people are aware that most restaurants generally have menus with prices printed on them, correct? Once you arm yourself with this apparently little-known information, you'll never have to overpay for anything again.
Raggety Andy
Wed, Mar 9, 2011 : 7:54 p.m.
There are no $18 sandwiches at Zingerman's Deli. Please do your homework...
KathrynHahn
Wed, Mar 9, 2011 : 5:18 a.m.
I agree with Atticus, I like their food, but for $18 I can but enough proteins, veggies and grains to make at least two or three good meals with leftovers and eat well for the better part of a week. I don't know about the rest of the city, but my budget is still in a "recession".
Atticus F.
Tue, Mar 8, 2011 : 7:41 p.m.
The old "if you dont like it then go somewhere else" cop-out... The truth is I love zingermans food, but can not afford to eat there often due to the exorbitant cost. You seem to think that people have an endless supply of money, and are simply being cheap. which is not the case.
John B.
Tue, Mar 8, 2011 : 7:09 p.m.
I am shocked, SHOCKED, I say, to hear that, sir.
Soothslayer
Tue, Mar 8, 2011 : 12:37 p.m.
Ahh what a great story for Fat Tuesday! Also parking was quite challenging and sparse before so how will expanding more retail capacity address this problem? Are there going to be at leat 4 designated 15 min order pickup spots? There needs to be.
John B.
Tue, Mar 8, 2011 : 6:37 p.m.
They're building an 84-space underground lot below the complex, I've heard. But the spaces are scooter-sized.
GoblueBeatOSU
Tue, Mar 8, 2011 : 10:07 a.m.
"The effort attracted some attention, Love added: "People walking by were asking, 'Why are you saving it?'" You need to look no further than the Historical Commission and the City Council. I'm sure the Historical Commission and City Council feel good about themselves for the added expense added to Zingerman's and the delays they created for Zingerman's related to this project. The added costs that the Historical Commission created for Zingerman's is reason enough to give Zingerman's the Brownfield tax credits.
Soothslayer
Tue, Mar 8, 2011 : 12:39 p.m.
Why did the Historical Division delay anything? They don't have the means or staff to oversee any current or new designated districts as it is.
ShadowManager
Tue, Mar 8, 2011 : 4:47 a.m.
Where will all the hausfraus park their strollers when they go for their lattes?
John B.
Tue, Mar 8, 2011 : 6:29 p.m.
Those are the nannies of the hausfraus (as opposed to the au-pairs). Get with the program. ;-)
smokeblwr
Tue, Mar 8, 2011 : 3:32 a.m.
I don't see anywhere in the article where it says the move was taxpayer funded. Can you cite a reference? If so that would be pretty outrageous. I like Zingerman's food, but it I will agree it is overpriced. $18 for a sandwich that I could get for half that cost at Maize n Blue or Amer's means I only go there if somebody forces me to. It's good, but not $18 good....
Atticus F.
Tue, Mar 8, 2011 : 7:35 p.m.
I was just there 3 days ago...And yes the portion sizes do apear to be getting smaller. I was still hungry after eating a $16 sandwich. That should not happen.
John B.
Tue, Mar 8, 2011 : 6:50 p.m.
Uh, we were just there a couple weeks ago. No changes in portion size.
Atticus F.
Tue, Mar 8, 2011 : 6:48 p.m.
John B, their sandwiches have gotten smaller and smaller over the past couple years. Last time I went, I oredered the large sandwich, and I swear they accidently gave me the small sandwich.
John B.
Tue, Mar 8, 2011 : 6:35 p.m.
I don't know about the rest of y'all, but my wife and I split the 'large' sandwiches so it's really about $8 per person. My college-student-athlete sons can (usually) finish a 'small' sandwich each, but then they are pretty stuffed. A 'large' sandwich just has twice the meat of a 'small.'
belboz
Tue, Mar 8, 2011 : 5:47 p.m.
<a href="http://www.annarbor.com/business-review/zingermans-lands-brownfield-tax-credit-to-support-67-million-expansion/">http://www.annarbor.com/business-review/zingermans-lands-brownfield-tax-credit-to-support-67-million-expansion/</a> It is in a previous article - over $1 million. Outrageous is right.
Soothslayer
Tue, Mar 8, 2011 : 12:42 p.m.
Lots of folks apparently feel its $15-$18 good. Of course you use only the best ingredients and an over the top customer experience, it's what the customer is paying for. Open up a $20-30 sandwich store and you'll be amazed how well you'll do. Of course you'll have to convince people the experience and sandwiches are better than Zingermans so do your homework.
Jimmy McNulty
Tue, Mar 8, 2011 : 11:39 a.m.
It is pricey, but you can't beat their chopped chicken liver!
belboz
Tue, Mar 8, 2011 : 3:17 a.m.
So, a kinder, more gentler tone is needed to state the dismay at this development receiving taxpayer money, when the state can't even afford to pay teachers, fix the roads, maintain basic services like police and fire. Fine. But still, the fact that Zingermans' has taken advantage of this ridiculous loophole is almost as bad as The State of Michigan having one. That sure seems to violate some sort of guidelines. And, no, I'm sorry, the sandwiches are NOT over priced, and the development is NOT a boon-doggle. Poor choice of words on my part. Also, any previous comparison to Jimmy Johns by me was purely misplaced venom, so my mistake. I re-read the guidelines and have corrected my errors. Too bad the State can't correct theirs and kill the brownfield money. I think they need it worse than Zingermans.
John B.
Tue, Mar 8, 2011 : 6:42 p.m.
Let's see: It's the seventh-best Deli in the World, and they are spending $6.7 Million in the local economy to expand operations and then provide more jobs. The Brownfield credits appear to be evaporating, so that's becoming a non-issue, quite frankly. You no like it there? Then you no have to go there.
belboz
Tue, Mar 8, 2011 : 6:03 p.m.
Brownfield projects have typically been for industrial locations that need to be cleaned because, in the past, America had little understanding of the long term affects of pollution from manufacturing complexes - or little care. If companies that wanted to develop an area were also forced to pay for cleanup from whomever was there before, they would most likely find another spot for operations. However, Zingermans and other companies have started to push the envelope to help with their own projects. A fire damaged house seems incredibly week. Are we now going to allow homeowners to apply for brownfield credits when there is a fire anywhere in the sate of Michigan? Last time I had damage in my house, I had to file an insurance claim and repair it - or live with it. Loophole, bogus, wasteful - call it what you will. It is not the true intent of a brownfield project, and I'm UNHAPPY about it. Not that anyone cares - clearly! What happend to the insurance on the house? Didn't they ever file a claim? If not, why not? It seems an incredible coincidence that some type of damage occured, next to Zingermans, and it was never fixed. Oh, but its Zingermans! Unreal priorities.
limmy
Tue, Mar 8, 2011 : 2:47 p.m.
What loophole? Not sure what this is all about.
that's a tuffy
Tue, Mar 8, 2011 : 12:43 p.m.
I know I would have enjoyed your original post even more.