Ann Arbor City Council to vote on closing Main Street for football games
This map shows the University of Michigan's plan for creating a vehicle-free zone around Michigan Stadium during football games. The red lines represent hard closures with police barricades, the blue lines represent soft closures with police allowing controlled local traffic, the yellow lines represent soft closures, and the pink areas represent street closures.
University Planner's Office
The University of Michigan wants to close the section of Main Street near Michigan Stadium during home football games.
Daniel Brenner | AnnArbor.com
For all seven home football games this season, Main Street would shut down in front of the stadium, starting three hours before each game until the game ends.
The first game is Aug. 31.
The plan met fierce resistance from residents at a recent public meeting, but it's being supported by Ann Arbor Police Chief John Seto and multiple council members.
Council Member Mike Anglin, D-5th Ward, said he thinks it will both enhance security and provide a better game day experience for fans and pedestrians around the stadium.
"I'm in agreement with it. I think it's going to help," Anglin said, adding it'll help with the large crowds that want to cross Main Street.
U-M has been working in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Ann Arbor Police Department and other local law enforcements officials on the plan.
"If this is something recommended by the Department of Homeland Security, it seems like a thing we should do," said Council Member Sally Hart Petersen, D-2nd Ward. "I'm a little surprised this hasn't been done sooner. I think it's common sense."
Having been a season ticket holder for several years, Petersen said she enjoys walking around the stadium area and thinks the plan would make it safer for pedestrians.
"In light of what we've seen happen in Boston, we've come to expect the unexpected now," she added. "And it's such a small area between Pauline and Stadium — it's not a long stretch."
Seto said last week he was still evaluating all of the comments and concerns raised by residents, including concerns about potential loss of revenue from lawn parking.
Access to all lawn parking would remain open, Seto said, but it's not a matter of simply waiving people through the blocked-off area.
Seto said people would have to access the residential lawn parking from streets other than Main Street during the closure period, except for a few locations that only have access from Main. He said provisions have been made to allow vehicles in off of Main for those few lots.
Vehicle access from neighborhood streets onto the closed area of Main would be either prohibited or restricted at police-controlled access points, depending on the street, to accommodate people coming and going from properties fronting Main that have no side-street access.
Robert Welsh, who owns a home on Seventh Street where detoured traffic from Main Street would be rerouted, told AnnArbor.com on Wednesday he doesn't think the proposal has taken into consideration the city residents who live on Seventh Street and Pauline Boulevard.
"The traffic load on those streets is already burdensome on game days and this proposal will, at a minimum, likely triple the traffic load," he said.
He said the proposal wouldn't necessarily thwart a potential terrorist attack because any terrorist would know of the street closure and plan accordingly.
The vehicle-free zone would be created by also closing Keech Street between Main and Greene streets and limiting access to parking permit holders on Greene from Hoover to Keech.
The closed portions of the streets would remain available for pedestrian use and emergency vehicle response to the area.
Michigan has home football games this year on Aug. 31, Sept. 7, Sept. 14, Oct. 5, Oct. 19, Nov. 9 and Nov. 30.
The City Council's agenda for Thursday night also includes a resolution to approve an agreement with the Clean Energy Coalition for implementation and operation of a bike share system in Ann Arbor.
The nonprofit group secured a $600,000 federal grant and is asking the city to provide $150,000 in matching funds. U-M has pledged $600,000 over the next three years for the program.
The council meets at 7 p.m. on the second floor inside city hall, 301 E. Huron St. View the full meeting agenda.
Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. You also can follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's email newsletters.
Comments
Somargie
Fri, Aug 9, 2013 : 3:17 a.m.
Just a quick update: The council voted 7-4 tonight in favor of closing Main Street for Michigan football games this fall. Reasons my comment was deleted by AA.com: A. Stated that this vote by the council vote was proof once again that residents are insignificant and lose all the time against the demands of UM? b. Each of these 7 council members should be recalled for disregarding residents and supporting UM once again? 3. or maybe because I wrote that residents should step up and pursue a lawsuit in conjunction with the ACLU to challenge nonprofit status (taxes) and willful disregard for city ordinances by universities when their elected officials don't. Doesn't matter, because its removal just proves that residents of Ann Arbor don't even have an impartial news source for dissenting views against UM.
D
Fri, Aug 9, 2013 : 3:02 p.m.
Or perhaps you are out of touch with the majority of the community. I am an ann arbor resident that resides on South Main Street and I am in favor of the Main Street closure for UM football games.
seldon
Fri, Aug 9, 2013 : 2:26 a.m.
And, all the sheep line up to support this, because Homeland Security says so.
JRW
Fri, Aug 9, 2013 : 2:20 a.m.
You mean this article isn't on MLive and not available for commenting on aa dot com? By the way, why is it taking over a year to allow the commenting for sports articles on MLive to be done by AA dot com commenters? The pop up message said last August that the commenting would be restored on aa dot com "soon." What is going on? Why is it taking so long to get back to sports commenting on aa dot com?
Ryan J. Stanton
Fri, Aug 9, 2013 : 1:42 a.m.
Just a quick update: The council voted 7-4 tonight in favor of closing Main Street for Michigan football games this fall. The four against the closure were Sabra Briere, Marcia Higgins, Sumi Kailasapathy, and Margie Teall. I'll have a full story in the morning.
Borisgoodenough
Fri, Aug 9, 2013 : 2:46 a.m.
Ryan, when you write that article, would you please correlate the votes on Council with the members who are employed or otherwise draw a check from the University.
Brad
Fri, Aug 9, 2013 : 1:54 a.m.
Now I would say the big change is that Main St. will have lane closures around the game. That is the part that's new - not the 1 hr vs. 3 hr part. The football tourists are more important than the residents - again.
Ryan J. Stanton
Fri, Aug 9, 2013 : 1:43 a.m.
The big change was the southbound lanes of Main Street will remain open until one hour before the games begin (instead of closing three hours before the games begin).
Brad
Fri, Aug 9, 2013 : 1:10 a.m.
I'm watching the council meeting - they're folding like a card table.
JimB
Fri, Aug 9, 2013 : 1:03 a.m.
How about an ordinance that outlaws huge score boards that distract drivers? Or one that caps the amount of money a school can charge for football parking?
LXIX
Fri, Aug 9, 2013 : 12:36 a.m.
So, the University and City Council are obediently following U.S. Homeland Security recommendations. The DHS is currently challenging Obama's amnesty dream in its own push to successfully deport all illegal immigrants..
stihl1
Fri, Aug 9, 2013 : 12:02 a.m.
I'm all for it.
DeeDee
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 11:46 p.m.
Ryan, Why isn't there a poll with this article? AA.com runs dozens of silly polls, but on something where it might be good for the City Council to get a view of how people feel, nothing. What's with that?
julieswhimsies
Sat, Aug 10, 2013 : 10:05 p.m.
The posts on this blog are not representative of average A2 citizens. Polls on A2.com usually completely conflict with the views of the posters, who are REALLY not reflective of the majority of Ann Arborites. What's the point of a poll? I think the voting thing on A2.com is completely ridiculous. I can post something like "I love Ann Arbor"...and would get voted down by MANY posters.
Arboriginal
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 11:26 p.m.
Why in the world would anybody want to drive down Main Street during a football game? Close it! Have a ball!
julieswhimsies
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 10:54 p.m.
Why don't they let Ann Arbor citizens vote on this issue?!
a2cents
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 10:35 p.m.
The addition of elite boxes in the end zone will put Stadium Blvd at risk of similar closing. Oh well. Who needs it?
antikvetch
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 10:24 p.m.
Will there be provisions for a bike path?
realdmt
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 10:06 p.m.
Ah yes...My favorite past-time! The ole' "Residents of Ann Arbor Hate Michigan" story yet again! Stop it. Ann Arbor IS the University of Michigan. Deep down, we all know it. All the great festivals / restaurants / fun don't come if someone didn't decide to build a school here 200 years ago. Deal with it.
Somargie
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 9:39 p.m.
If UM was truly concern about security they would do the following: 1. Stop the airplanes flying overhead that stadium immediately; 2. Divert all football traffic to the parking lots available on their massive property off Plymouth rd. and charge for bus rides to that stadium shrine; 3. Demolish that section of that behemoth shrine on main street and rebuild it past 100 ft from the street..maybe 150 to 200 ft from the street. 4. Stop buying property in this area for stadiums and build stadium on that massive property they bought off Plymouth. They definitely have the space on that property off Plymouth and more if they sever their profit-making contract with DTE for those solar panels that they placed near that street that provides a lovely eyesore and a hubris poke to that neighborhood. It's amazing that multiple planes flying in a circle is not considered dangerous..but then again this non-profit university is probably not making a profit off this...right???
a2cents
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 10:37 p.m.
Aged, very loud planes at that.
jcj
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 9:24 p.m.
I could care! I turned in my tickets after 35 years.
Nicholas Urfe
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 9:24 p.m.
What sort of business does the University have planned for the space on Main st if it becomes available? It would be a real shame if they claimed security concerns, but then started doing business in that space. But surely they have thought about that. Is there a plan? If they use the street to make more money, will the public of Ann Arbor get a cut?
JimB
Fri, Aug 9, 2013 : 1:06 a.m.
Probably going to put seats out in front of the huge video scoreboards and charge to watch. Or just charge to walk bye.
Ricardo Queso
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 9:11 p.m.
With the street closure will come an impromptu tailgate of epic proportions, empty beer cans on the street and an increase in open intoxicant violations.
a2cents
Fri, Aug 9, 2013 : 1:12 a.m.
uom doesn't care
BlueNeighbor
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 8:44 p.m.
Ann Arbor City Council Members: I live two doors off Main Street in the middle of the proposed Main Street closure on Michigan Football Saturdays. I regret that the most public City Council support for the closures come from city wards unaffected by the proposal. Having grown up in the military, I am well aware of the need for sensible measures against terrorist threats. I also understand the desire to protect the pedestrian traffic surrounding a massive public event. I don't believe street closures are failsafes against threats, global or...well, pedestrian. Threats at a Homeland Security level won't be thwarted by published street closures. Destructive forces will be routed through family neighborhoods on their way to the stadium. As for foot traffic, widening the sidewalks around the Big House should have allayed fears of Main Street pedestrian dangers. I can speak to the affect on pedestrian traffic if Main St closes. Side streets turn into defacto block parties with eating, drinking and play pouring into the only remaining residential thoroughfares. Pedestrian concern shifts from a single, well-maintaned, POLICED route to the dozens of congested neighborhood streets overrun by kids and 40-year-old weekend athletes who won't be paying attention to the frustrated drivers trying to navigate detours. Where will accidents occur then? I bought a home in the shadow of the Big House knowing I couldn't run errands on certain Saturdays in the fall. I covered my ears when stadium renovations woke me each morning of the off-season. I saw a long-term benefit to the short-term inconvenience. I don't see that here. It appears that the closure does little to address the big issues of security. Instead, it shoves those insecurities firmly into the residential neighborhoods. Closing Main Street seems to benefit a single large entity while ignoring hundreds of others in the process. I support the idea of community security, but urge you to find a better way to achieve it.
Gworty
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 8:36 p.m.
So City Council now represents college football fans rather than the residents that elect them!! Typical
bluemax79
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 8:13 p.m.
they are closing that street since a vehicle filled with explosives could get very close to the stadium on Main and blow the west wall out that holds up the west suites, you cannot get a vehicle close to the stadium at any other place that could cause a catastrophic failure of the building with it full of people. it makes sense and should be done.
Timber
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 8:32 p.m.
UM should have put some thought into that BEFORE deciding to build seating with the west-side suites that tower up so close to a long existing CITY OF ANN ARBOR roadway (Main Street). I imagine their only thought was - build however close to the public roadway we want (more $$ for UM) - and then we'll come back later and ram yet another un-neighborly road closure thru the City council. As for potential catastrophes, more worrisome is the open air space that is allowed over both the stadium and surrounding neighborhoods.
Sunshine26
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 8:03 p.m.
Looking at the provided plan closure map: It appears Edgewood Ave and Hutchins will not be barricaded. Is this correct? As I recall, one can park their car on Hutchins during the football games. Currently there is no parking allowed on Edgewood Ave during football games. Question, how will the city control traffic in the Allmendinger Park neighborhood? Edgewood and Hutchins run north/south, as does 7th Street. There is a great possibility that with the closure of Main Street, this will result in a huge traffic gridlock problem on the narrow neighborhood streets. Not enough stop signs. What about the buses that use Potter to transport football fans? Just saying: the residents who live and pay taxes in the Allmendinger Park neighborhood are bearing the burden of the Main Street closure. Not enough planning, preparation has gone into this proposal! City Council: Vote: NO
Nicholas Urfe
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 8:03 p.m.
Have they done any traffic studies on the impact of the detour on those residential streets? Both counts, projected backups, and safety impact. If not, why not?
andreaz
Fri, Aug 9, 2013 : 6:56 p.m.
I don't think they even noticed that Pauline has street parking on both sides before they decided to send 4 lanes of traffic off of Main down it.
Bertha Venation
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 7:57 p.m.
What's the use in fighting it? The city is run by the University anyway. The Mayor is in the University's pocket, and City Coucil is in the Mayor's pocket. I guess it truly is the "Republic of Ann Arbor." Too bad the townspeople don't count anymore.
KMHall
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 7:57 p.m.
PillowRock and Sawchuk Thank you for a bit of sanity. This is not a big deal and it doesn't seem hard to imagine the safety benefits. Plan your driving and be reminded that the fans are spending $$ at our gas stations and in our restaurants.
DAN
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 7:57 p.m.
My personal view is that the University build a pedestrian and vehicle bypass on the University property on the EAST side of the stadium and route all game traffic on that route. The U of M administrators seemed to have overlooked the potential traffic problem before enlarging the stadium and instead, inconveniencing and/or impairing the safety of persons who use the Main Street and Stadium Blvd. thoroughfares. If they are concerned about game safety, I'd also recommend they stop all ad overflights before the games when the stadium is filling up.
a2citizen
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 8:17 p.m.
kmhall, "IF" the ad overflights were terrorists, how would you stop them?
KMHall
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 7:59 p.m.
The ad overflights are not terrorists. They have to be able to see that no one drops off a few mysterious backpacks etc. Remember Boston. The safety benefits seem obvious to me.
a2citizen
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 7:48 p.m.
I'm actually indifferent to whatever the junta decides because I understood the ramifications of football Saturdays when I moved here. But if I were to advise the city council I would tell them this is the moment to turn a (very healthy) profit.
Sawchuk
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 7:38 p.m.
Ann Arborites - get a life, please ! You're talking about closing a quarter mile stretch of Main and a half mile stretch of Stadium for seven days of the whole year. Whats that - you don't travel through there anyway, you just like to complain ? Hello, Ann Arbor !
Brad
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 10:59 p.m.
No, that's you talking about closing Stadium. That isn't being discussed at this point.
PillowRock
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 7:36 p.m.
It seems like most of the complaints against this proposal center on one of two things: either the stadium renovation constricting the sidewalk space (thereby having created the problem in the first place) or the inconvenience to locals who want to drive downtown during the game. When I think back to what that stretch of sidewalk looked like before the stadium renovation, I don't remember the fence around the stadium being much further from the road than the wall is now. That seems like a wash to me. There were always pedestrians spilling off the curb around the stadium on game days. With that part of Main closed to cars, the game day pedestrian traffic would move more easily than it has at any time since I enrolled at UofM in 1979. When I look at the access to downtown during the game, I see that Main being closed from Stadium to Pauline means that residents of that neighborhood need to exit the subdivision on the Pauline side instead, which would be easier than turning left onto Main from a side street anyway (and the left from Pauline onto Main should be much easier when there is no through traffic on Main). People coming from further out will just take 7th up to one of the cross streets. I don't see all *that* big of a problem. I end up wondering whether some people may be reacting more to the idea of the university asking the city to make a change than they are to the actual level of impact / inconvenience that would be caused by what they're asking in this particular case.
nicedoggy
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 7:18 p.m.
Boycott Ann Arbor on foot ball Saturdays. You used to be able to get through town when the game was being played. Forget that now!
a2dancelady
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 6:53 p.m.
The University was here long before any of us were born. So I wish that some of the constant complainers about anything and everything related to the U of M would explain why they chose to live in Ann Arbor in the first place, why they're still here, and why they don't move someplace more to their liking.
RUKiddingMe
Fri, Aug 9, 2013 : 2:11 p.m.
You know, DOW and lots of other chemicla companies have been around for longer than a lot of folks also, but when they pollute water people still complain. And I can understand that.
LXIX
Fri, Aug 9, 2013 : 12:22 a.m.
There are standing buildings in Ann Arbor that were here long before the University moved in from Detroit. Should we invite their current owners to dictate how both the city and Unversity should be run? Same argument. And for the gownies who wouldn't like that idea of being told what to do would they stay here ? People came here because it was a cozy university town. Intelligent, spacious, clean, safe, entertaining, and economically stable. Ann Arbor was also a bedroom community for Detroit area business executives. That all is changing for the worse today by actions just like this one.. It is becoming too expensive, congested, mired in outdated global-think. Stay that trend and people will go. The poor late comers left behind will get a broom shaft and the tax bill - and a closed road on Saturday.
KMHall
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 7:55 p.m.
a2dance Amen. There are lots of places to live and AA is, above all else, a university town with associated cultural benefits. My Dad has lived here for 99 years and I love the town as well. UM people spend money in AA and so do the football fans. I care not at all for sports (or listening to the fight song from my back yard) and the traffic is a pain but I can plan a different route during those hours and I remind myself how much they are spending in our restaurants. Do these UM haters not perceive the big picture?
Somargie
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 7:22 p.m.
Just because UM have been here before some doesn't give them or the regents to have "carte blanche" oven the city of Ann Arbor. There massive land grab (parking lots/bldg. within neighborhoods), control over city streets, noise ordinances and public rules/regulations and a very deliberate movement from an academic university to a sports university has gotten out of hand. Don't forget UM purchased a massive land area off Plymouth which could have accomodated many of their dorms, parking lots and stadiums without intruding on street closures or noise issues.
RUKiddingMe
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 6:49 p.m.
Has the university been paying for having Church closed for months? Do they pay the same rate any company/resident would pay for having an entire street closed thr this amount of time?
Arieswoman
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 6:49 p.m.
I stay away from that side of town during football season but I do feel sorry for the residents on South Seventh and Pauline!
Tag
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 8:03 p.m.
Yes, those poor poor people making their mortgage payments with lawn parking revenue.
a2citizen
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 6:46 p.m.
Will Marcia Higgins be present? Any word how she will vote? Let's see if she is vindictive...
Brad
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 11:55 p.m.
Actually I emailed both of my 4th ward CMs as well as the mayor urging them to vote against the street closures. Ms. Higgins responded and said that she would be voting 'no'. No word yet from the other two.
M.Haney
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 6:44 p.m.
City councilperson Mike Anglin thinks it will "Enhance the game day experience". Councilperson Sally Peterson thinks it will make her trip to the game more enjoyable. I'm glad they have their priorities to their constituents straight. How about enhancing the city resident's game day experience? If the need to close Main St. was such a high priority, why did it take 3 years after the stadium remodeling to request it? Will they now request road closure for all events in the stadium, such as graduation? Or, for events at Crisler and Yost Arena? Both of these facilities are close to the road as well. Or, at dorm residences? And don't even get me started on the airplanes overhead on game day.
KMHall
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 7:48 p.m.
Gretchen They are referring to Boston.
Gretchen Ridenour
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 7:25 p.m.
If this was truly about safety it should have happened in 2001. I doubt that DHS has nothing more pressing than UM football 12 years after our nation was attacked. The University should pay for the city's cost to close the streets to provide extra "security" since this is really about them expanding the stadium too close to the street.
Brad
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 6:55 p.m.
Closing it is more likely to detract from my game day experience. It's a great way to get downtown during the games.
a2grateful
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 6:43 p.m.
T Wall: " . . . Foundation has operated a Hot Dog Stand with volunteers who have disabilities at 1011 South Main and Pauline. The revenue we make goes directly back to help children with disabilities and their families in need." Mr. Wall: Are you saying that your hotdog stand customers drive to your location, park on your site, buy a hotdog, and then drive away from your site? Of course not. Your customers are on foot on their way to or from a game. Your business will benefit from increased pedestrian presence and mobility. Think about it some more before continuing to play your weeping violin. . .
Jack Eaton
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 7:31 p.m.
@a2grateful - I think that what T Wall was saying is that based on what he has observed "the past 10 years", he believes that it is unnecessary to close the road for three hours. He mentions his experience operating that hotdog stand so that you might understand that he has been out in front of the football stadium during the hours before the game. Based on his observation, he believes that closing the street just two hours before the game would be sufficient. His mention of the hotdog stand has nothing to do with the impact closing the street might have on customers of that hotdog stand.
CalmDown
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 7:30 p.m.
He didn't say one word about how the change will affect his hot dog stand. He was simply describing how much time he spent on Main Street before and after football games to back up his suggestion that the closure be limited to +-2 hours.
Brad
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 6:54 p.m.
I'm guessing there will be pretty much the same number of pedestrians as usual. Right now they walk on the sidewalk which is probably where the hot dog stand is.
T Wall
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 6:33 p.m.
Sorry that I mentioned by accident State Street instead of South Main Street. I am sure everyone involved knows that I am referring to South Main Street.
Jaime Magiera
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 7:16 p.m.
(Why anyone would down-vote you for correcting yourself for clarity is beyond me)
Jaime Magiera
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 7:15 p.m.
Yeah, it was clearly a slip. You said "South Main" in the next sentence. No worries.
AA Neighbor
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 6:28 p.m.
We were told by the mayor in a spring 2013 town hall meeting that this project would not cost the City a penny. What gives? This is a soppy boondoggle. If the City wants to do something worthwhile with the money, spend it on programs for the public schools in Ann Arbor not on UM students who can afford to buy their own bikes.
SonnyDog09
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 6:27 p.m.
The University wants this. Hizzoner will deliver. If he fails to do so, it would negatively impact his performance review for his day job at the UofM.
SonnyDog09
Fri, Aug 9, 2013 : 12:42 p.m.
Please list two issues where hizzoner has ever said NO to the UofM.
T Wall
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 6:24 p.m.
Dear Mayor Hieftje and Council Members, For the past 10 years our T. Wall Foundation has operated a Hot Dog Stand with volunteers who have disabilities at 1011 South Main and Pauline. The revenue we make goes directly back to help children with disabilities and their families in need. I don't object to closing State Street for U of M Football games but 3 hours is somewhat excessive. From my observation of observing the traffic on South Main for the past 10 years I feel strongly that 2 hours before the game would work for everyone involved. U of M will say they need 3 hours but they don't. With the proper organization the street could be closed in less then 5 minutes providing everyone works as a team. For the home owners and taxpayers of Ann Arbor please consider closing Main Street 2 hours before the game. Thank you for considering this. Tom Wall
antikvetch
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 6:24 p.m.
If I remember correctly, the mayor's first response to the U's request was "thank you sir, may I have another?"
Somargie
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 6:18 p.m.
This benefits no one but the UM and is just another poke into the eye of Ann Arbor with zero benefits to the residents. The city council leadership is a total joke and the election yesterday proves that resident should vote out the people who have consistently allowed the UM to close city streets. If this passes, don't fool yourself that will be the end of these street closures. The UM will also make these demands for other events at that behemoth stadium, such as that hockey game. Don't forget at least one of these games is at night. How do you think that will go for the residents? For all those supporters of sports instead of academics and those who make money off lawn parking who chose to criticize the residents who want to preserve the integrity of Ann Arbor, the UM just proved their community spirit....zero. We are also further at the mercy of UM, when they take over that large property off State and make even more demands for street closures. The saddest part of this is that the city of Ann Arbor is not controlled by the city council or the police. We don't even have an adequate news outlet that represent the residents of Ann Arbor, because dissenting comments are not printed and articles disappear. It's controlled by the UM and it's Athletic Director...who also holds the power of unlimited stadium noise levels. In other words, you can complain about the street closures and the noises but only they decide. The Regents we elected to represent the people in controlling the University is for them only and not us. Get real folks, and challenge this control like the city of Princeton before we truly become the city of University of Michigan, MI.
Tag
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 8:01 p.m.
cloud!
UghAnnArbor
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 7:17 p.m.
tl;dr.
George Gaston
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 6:11 p.m.
Does this mean that the University will be closing its parking lots next to the stadium and within the closed street zone to tailgaters?
Somargie
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 6:42 p.m.
No. Not only will their parking lots be open but also a huge party, news and multiple souvenir and concession tents open in the middle of every city street the city of Ann Arbor will shut down in the guise of protecting this behemoth from bomb threats.
AA Neighbor
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 5:52 p.m.
Will the BIG U pay for this courtesy to its BIG HOUSE (a pseudonym for a federal or state prison), or is it just another bill to be handed to Ann Arbor taxpayers? In Rochester, Minnesota, the Mayo Clinic and Medical School actually make annual payments to the city in lieu of taxes. We get federal bike grants in a town where people don't even use the current bike paths. Most of the undergrads seem to be driving super-sized SUVs anyway.
Ryan J. Stanton
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 5:45 p.m.
Also on tonight's council agenda: Resolution calling for repeal of Michigan's "stand your ground" law and for strengthening of firearm regulations. Resolution to approve changes to traffic patterns and parking on certain city streets for the 2013 University of Michigan student move-in program from Aug. 28-30. Resolutions to give final approval of plans to redevelop the former Greek church property on Main Street with new condos and a separate duplex building facing Fourth Avenue. Resolution to approve a $32,977 contract with CTI and Associates Inc. for construction materials testing for the upcoming resurfacing of a large portion of Packard Street between Stadium Boulevard and Eisenhower Parkway. Construction is scheduled for August through October.
Jaime Magiera
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 7:10 p.m.
Thanks Ryan.
PhillyCheeseSteak
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 5:44 p.m.
Perhaps the U of M, considering the disruption this will cause residents, will make a donation to the city or the Ann Arbor educational foundation? Something significant, such as $1,000,000 per home game day?
justcurious
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 5:42 p.m.
Hey if they can close Main St. for an Electrician's Convention, why not for the home games? It won't effect us in the least...we've avoided Ann Arbor for years, especially on football Saturdays and during the Art Fair.
Nicholas Urfe
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 8:05 p.m.
It isn't the same. They are closing a different (and much shorter) part of main street. And they are not doing it before and during a football game.
bereasonable
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 5:54 p.m.
Its fine to close Main St downtown during weekday rush hour for 1800 electricians, but not for 100,000 football fans on a Saturday afternoon.
Timber
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 5:40 p.m.
The powerful OZ (UofM) has spoken. We all know City Council will say "sure whatever you want". Zero attention will be paid to the "fierce resistance from residents at recent public meeting". UM runs this town - we just get to live here ( and pay the taxes).
motorcycleminer
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 8:58 p.m.
People that buy near a dump have no business complaining about the smell...
Brad
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 6:14 p.m.
I was wondering about that public meeting thing myself. From all reports it sounded like those in attendance were against the street closure.
Nicholas Urfe
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 5:36 p.m.
Rent Main street to the University for $500K a game. That will help fund the wear and tear on the roads from the construction trucks during the stadium expansion.
Brad
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 10:51 p.m.
$5 per ticket "Homeland Security surcharge" that goes to the city. Seems reasonable doesn't it?
Nicholas Urfe
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 5:34 p.m.
The University should have thought of this before they *expanded* the stadium right up to the edge of their property and main street. Oh wait - they did think of it. And they chose to go ahead knowing that they could simply force the street closure on city residents under the guise of "safety".
Stuart Brown
Fri, Aug 9, 2013 : 2:49 a.m.
Agreed, the city should say no and ask, "what is in it for the city?". What do city residents get?
Gretchen Ridenour
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 7:15 p.m.
I agree with you 100%.
leezee
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 5:30 p.m.
Why even bother with a vote - we already know what the result will be. When are we just going to give in and call the city University of Michiganville? The council isn't voting for this because they think it will be safer. They are voting for it because it's something UM wants and UM always gets what they want. Yeah, let's make it even harder to get around the city on game days. In the past, we would go to dinner/lunch downtown during games because it was quiet and easy to get around. Now I'd rather just head to Plymouth for a nice evening instead. Are we using additional police officers for this effort. It looks like it from the map. If so, that really makes my blood boil. Games day traffic enforcement is more important than overall protection of the city? I have to add a forehead slap knowing that I cast a vote for a council rep who is putting her own interests ahead of her constituents - hope all those home games are enjoyable for you! Oh...and Boston was caused by pedestrians, so why even allow the pedestrians. Let's just put a huge plastic bubble over that part of the city.
Stuart Brown
Fri, Aug 9, 2013 : 2:47 a.m.
This story has all the elements of a bad horror show: DHS, UofM Football and City Government.
Gretchen Ridenour
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 7:14 p.m.
I'm with you!
Brad
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 5:25 p.m.
Surely they'd want to close the airspace first. Why isn't that a larger threat?
Brad
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 11:26 p.m.
As far as I know planes can still take off during the game, right? They just aren't "supposed" to fly near the stadium. Not really much meaningful security there.
a2citizen
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 5:51 p.m.
I believe Mohamed Atta was aware of the airspace restrictions over Manhattan.
Nicholas Urfe
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 5:37 p.m.
Because pilots are the 1%.
Ryan J. Stanton
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 5:32 p.m.
Here's the story: http://annarbor.com/news/planes-towing-advertisement-banners-above-michigan-stadium-in-ann-arbor/
Ryan J. Stanton
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 5:32 p.m.
I had a story on planes flying above Michigan Stadium last year. I was told there are tighter restrictions these days since 9/11 and there's significantly less advertisement in the sky above the Big House on football Saturdays. The FAA regulates the airspace. Planes can fly up until an hour before and then an hour after the event, and they must fly at least 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle.
Tag
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 5:23 p.m.
Seems a bit excessive to close Stadium Blvd. in front of the stadium 3 hours before kickoff. 1-2 hours prior would seem sufficient to protect pedestrians. "If this is something recommended by the Department of Homeland Security, it seems like a thing we should do," said Council Member Sally Hart Petersen, D-2nd Ward. "I'm a little surprised this hasn't been done sooner. I think it's common sense." Wow, just wow. Sheep.
Tag
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 8:23 p.m.
Tesla. It means blindly going along with whatever the DHS (or government) decries is a horrible idea. Like leading sheep to slaughter mindlessly.
Tesla
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 7:57 p.m.
Wow. Just Wow??? What the hell does that even mean?
Tag
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 7:56 p.m.
My bad Ryan. Had to look at the map closer the east / west pink line is actually part of U M property around Crisler Arena and not Stadium blvd.
Ryan J. Stanton
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 5:33 p.m.
They're closing Main Street, not Stadium Boulevard.
Brad
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 5:26 p.m.
Homeland Security (as TSA) thinks my 89 year old WWII vet father should get patted down every time he flies, too.
TryingToBeObjective
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 5:18 p.m.
Gosh, did you notice that big ole stadium when you bought a house in the vicinity? It's a handful of days a year. Suck it up and deal with it- this is a college town. Go Blue!!
jcj
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 9:23 p.m.
objective and motor We are waiting for either of you to "use logic and objectivity"
motorcycleminer
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 8:57 p.m.
Objective..trying to use logic and objectivity in Oz where most people can't find their bottoms ( I'l be polite for the word police ) with both hands is a waste of taps on your keyboard...
Bertha Venation
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 7:59 p.m.
So much for the handle "Objective!" ;)
dugster
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 7:44 p.m.
U of M, didn't you notice the big ole sidewalk right there when you planned the expansion. It's only a handfull of days a year. Suck it up and deal with it Blue, you shouldn't have built the extension so close to the sidewalk if you were going to cry like a baby later saying the car traffic is too close to the stadium.
PhillyCheeseSteak
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 5:40 p.m.
It was also U-M's decision to expand the stadium right to the (narrow) sidewalk, on Main Street.
Brad
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 5:24 p.m.
Didn't they notice that main street of Ann Arbor when they built that stadium?
Bob Zuruncol
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 5:17 p.m.
As usual, Michigan football tail wags the Ann Arbor dog.
E Claire
Fri, Aug 9, 2013 : 2:57 p.m.
Yes, because we never close the streets for Art Fair, marathons, convention dinners...oh, wait...
DadooS
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 5:15 p.m.
Passing an ordinance requiring pedestrians to wear a yellow flashing light while yelling, "Watch out, here I come, and I may or may not stop", should be a sufficient measure to protect all concerned.
Ray Walker
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 11:55 p.m.
So True
Julius
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 5:53 p.m.
Because "just walk out in the road. You have right of way. Nothing bad will happen. If it does, we'll make sure we ruin that poor motorist's life for you".