Early customers at Ann Arbor's new underground parking garage: 'Beautiful' and smells 'brand-new'
Previous story: Library Lane parking garage set for partial opening for first day of Ann Arbor Art Fair
On its first actual day in operation, impressions of Ann Arbor's new underground parking garage range from "it's beautiful" to "it's hot and smells like paint."
Most are just happy for the additional parking downtown, which has made getting to Art Fair easier this year. But some patrons said the garage could use a few more fans, and some are finding out the hard way the elevators aren't yet functional.
"It looks awesome and it's pretty easy to go around. The only thing was the elevator," Canton resident Divya Ragunathan said while walking up two flights of stairs with luggage in tow to go work a booth in the nonprofit section at Art Fair.
Republic Parking has golf carts available to chauffeur anyone interested in avoiding the stairs, but only some are using the service.
A vehicle searches for a place to park inside the new Library Lane underground parking garage on Wednesday afternoon.
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
As of early Wednesday afternoon, the top two floors of the garage were filled up with cars, and more were starting to park on the third level. The lowest level was still blocked off.
Vehicles from more than a dozen different states were parked inside the garage, including some from Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, New York, Maryland, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Pennsylvania.
Bob and Sheryl Lewandowski drove in from the Windsor area with their son Derek. They said it was relatively simple to pull into the garage and find a place to park.
"It's beautiful," Sheryl Lewandowski said. "I was surprised when we first came here. I didn't even know that was there. It just had a little bit of an odor. That's the only thing. A brand-new kind of odor. It probably needs a bit more air circulating, maybe a fan down there."
Derek Lewandowski called it nice and spacious.
"You have a nice amount of room," he said. "Actually the stairs are really nice, too, because it allows the sunlight to come down so you don't feel so underground."
Republic Parking and the Downtown Development Authority received a temporary certificate of occupancy from the city to operate the garage for Art Fair, which runs through Saturday.
A final certificate of occupancy is still pending for the garage, which has 711 parking spaces on four levels below ground, plus 52 surface-level spaces. It's accessible off southbound Fifth Avenue and northbound Division Street, between Liberty and William streets.
Joe Morehouse, the DDA's deputy director, said the garage was working out well. He said the surface parking spaces were being used as handicapped parking.
Republic Parking's Teresa Ricker worked as a greeter at the Fifth Avenue entrance ramp on Wednesday, waving motorists into the new structure.
"Some of them had a lot of questions. Some of them have never seen an underground parking structure," she said. "So it's great. Most people are very excited."
Karen Faletti and her daughter Jenna drove in from South Lyon for Art Fair on Wednesday and were relieved to find available parking in the new garage.
"We just got here and we were driving around town for like a half hour, then they waved us in here," Faletti said. "It's great for today because we could not find a place to park. It's nice and clean and brand-new obviously. Other than that, it's a parking garage."
Karen Faletti and her daughter, Jenna, drove in from South Lyon for Art Fair on Wednesday and were relieved to find available parking in the new garage.
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
"It's self-explanatory for a first-time user," she said of the machine.
Her only critique was she thought it could be easy for some to miss the ticket that motorists are supposed to pull as they go into the garage.
"You have to pay attention," she said. "The thing says to be sure to take your ticket with you. Maybe as an improvement they could have something more eye level."
Stephen Smith, Republic Parking's information technology and operations manager, was on the scene making sure all of the high-tech equipment inside the garage was working smoothly.
"From an IT nerd's point of view, there's a lot of toys to play with and get working here, and a lot of unique, fun challenges to make happen," he said.
The Library Lane garage is the first parking structure to tie into the city's fiber optic system. That allows Republic Parking to reliably transmit a wide range of information back to a central database at the Ann and Ashley parking structure.
"It's pretty neat," Smith said. "It's our most sophisticated network that we've ever done. It was our first fiber-optic installation, so every level is connected by fiber optics.
"It's a pretty IT-intensive installation," he added. "As you see, we even have electric vehicle charging stations. Those talk to the cloud through a company called PowerDash. And we have more pay stations than we've ever had in any installation downtown."
Smith said the security has never been more advanced when it comes to the pay stations, which meet the latest payment card industry data security standards.
"It's just measures I need to take as an IT manager to comply with the credit card security, so it is a really exciting project," he said. "I really enjoyed working on it."
Ali Ramlawi, owner of the nearby Jerusalem Garden restaurant, said his business increased from the steady stream of people coming and going along Fifth Avenue. The street and sidewalks were closed for nearly two years up until recently while the garage was built.
"You definitely get people walking north on Fifth now. It's not just a desert oasis here," Ramlawi said from an outdoor patio packed with customers.
"We've got increased visibility. Business has picked up 15 to 20 percent since the road reopened, so it's good. Is it worth all the hell we went through to get here? Probably not."
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
Robert Hughes
Fri, Jul 20, 2012 : 2:44 a.m.
The shameful monstrosity is complete. We will be the laughing stock of future generations (if there are any).
annarbor28
Thu, Jul 19, 2012 : 7:57 p.m.
Bringing more cars downtown goes against safe walking and bike riding. But they don't care. Go Green!
15crown00
Thu, Jul 19, 2012 : 5:29 p.m.
going ga-ga over concrete.only in Ann Arbor.
motorcycleminer
Thu, Jul 19, 2012 : 10:35 a.m.
Welcome to Pollaywood......
Brad
Thu, Jul 19, 2012 : 1:56 p.m.
I like it. I've been saying that they're trying to turn the town into some kind of theme park anyway.
annarbor28
Thu, Jul 19, 2012 : 3:14 a.m.
I guess they figured that a title of "Garage is ugly and will soon smell bad" would alienate some readers?
Transplant312
Thu, Jul 19, 2012 : 1:50 a.m.
I just need to take a brief moment of your time to point out that an article about the smell of a parking deck is on the front page of your "newspaper". Is this the part where Ann Arbor offers us "all of the amenities of the big city?". Sorry, I guess I'm just not in on the joke yet. Maybe if I attend the townie party for a few more years I'll get it.
John Hritz
Thu, Jul 19, 2012 : 1:15 a.m.
Considering the obsession commenters have with public urination, perhaps its time for public toilets...
whatsupwithMI
Thu, Jul 19, 2012 : 1:20 a.m.
Have you VISITED the DDA's masterpiece: the parking garages? Or do you just use the helipad on top of the best places to visit? This isn't obsession, it's reality.
whatsupwithMI
Thu, Jul 19, 2012 : 1:11 a.m.
No one has yet said: "Smells like teen spirit...." Where are my fellow, relocated, PNWesterners?
whatsupwithMI
Thu, Jul 19, 2012 : 1:09 a.m.
Its really funny that the guy saying "wtheck, fiber totally not needed" has so many negative votes. The data involved here could be send at 300 baud just fine. Think that means 1980 modem speeds? Try... 1962. This means, for those of you wondering what a baud is: no need for fiber, although fiber is uber-geeky and definitely proves AA's superiority.
belboz
Thu, Jul 19, 2012 : 12:58 a.m.
711 garage + 52 surface 200 old lot = 563 new spaces. $50 million / 563 = $88,800 per spot. Hey city, I would be willing to tear down my house and sell the land to you for $50k per spot. It can hold 16, so that would be $800k. Tell you what, I'll settle for $500k, and I'll throw in a yearly AATA pass to help with ridership. I feel like I should now run for mayor, thinking like this.
Dog Guy
Thu, Jul 19, 2012 : 12:12 a.m.
How many parking places did the previous surface lot have? More or fewer?
DJBudSonic
Thu, Jul 19, 2012 : 12:28 a.m.
Good question wish I knew the answer... It was a big lot. Knowing that would give those folks doing a per car calculation a better figure, as we have only gained the difference for $50 million.
Goober
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 11:11 p.m.
As a AA tax payer, I am ashamed and bothered by the mayor, city council and city leadership refusal to control urination in our parking structures. This new underground garage will end up the same as others in a short period of time. I guess I am in the minority, as many of the commenters to this article seem to either tolerate this situation or support it accordingly. As an AA citizen, who handles many outside visitors, I am ashamed of our facilities.
a2xarob
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 10:14 p.m.
I don't understand the gleeful comments concerning the elevators (that will be in use as soon as they are inspected) and the new smell (that will be less so in time.) What is it about so many people commenting here that they love to find fault and belittle? Is this your usual approach? Do you treat your kids this way too?
Goober
Thu, Jul 19, 2012 : 12:13 a.m.
To a2xarob Huh?
a2xarob
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 11:51 p.m.
I know it's redundant to copy from the article above, but since the commenters seem not to have even read the article. I quote: "Republic Parking has golf carts available to chauffeur anyone interested in avoiding the stairs, but only some are using the service." "Republic Parking and the Downtown Development Authority received a temporary certificate of occupancy from the city to operate the garage for Art Fair, which runs through Saturday. A final certificate of occupancy is still pending for the garage, which has 711 parking spaces on four levels below ground, plus 52 surface-level spaces. It's accessible off southbound Fifth Avenue and northbound Division Street, between Liberty and William streets. Joe Morehouse, the DDA's deputy director, said the garage was working out well. He said the surface parking spaces were being used as handicapped parking."
nickcarraweigh
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 11:11 p.m.
You bet I treat my kids this way. Every darn time they needlessly commit $50 million of the taxpayers full faith and credit to an unneeded underground garage that will be operated privately, why, I send them to bed with tofu for supper.
Goober
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 10:54 p.m.
The real problem is with AA leadership and their willingness to tolerate the problem. I guess I have to admit that many AA voters support this problem as it has not been resolved. Many AA.com commenters all know the issue - in a short period f time, this structure will smell like pee. I do not know how a structure can open without working elevators. Maybe other sources exist to help the handicap. I personally am not aware of this. In fact, opening without the ability to aid the andicap might be illegal.
julieswhimsies
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 10:08 p.m.
"Beautiful, and smells brand new" ROFL! Thank you once again for the laugh of the day, A2.com. I owe you dinner...or maybe some bagels.
Goober
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 9:05 p.m.
Just wait until the local homeless, vagrants and panhandlers get involved. It won't smell new anymore.
Randy Dieter
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 8:55 p.m.
$12 Art Fair rate? What is the normal rate going to be??
Brad
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 9:44 p.m.
Speaking of which, what is the discount monthy rate extended to Barracuda, and how many slots are they going to take initially? Do they get to keep adding more subsidized slots as their number of employees grows? Is there any ceiling to the number they are allowed to purchase, or could they theoretically rentthe entire thing?
Ryan J. Stanton
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 8:58 p.m.
$1.10 an hour, or $95 a month for a permit.
nickcarraweigh
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 8:53 p.m.
Come to think of it, the deal doesn't smell good now.
nickcarraweigh
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 8:51 p.m.
Walking down Fifth St. today I noticed the new parking dungeon was open and charging $12 for Art Fair. Let's say the lot sells out twice daily, since most people won't spend more than 12 hours at Art Fair. That'll generate $17,000 daily. Art Fair lasts four days. So, at the end of only 732 Art Fairs the $50 million garage will pay for itself! Of course, it probably won't still smell good by then.
Madeleine Borthwick
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 8:43 p.m.
Hoo-wee, just wait till it smells like P**. then we'll see.
Goober
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 11:04 p.m.
Interesting that commenters disagree. I find it embarrassing for AA visitors and am ashamed. Do we find the pee offenders as some of the article commenters who vote these comments down? How could any civil AA citizen support someone peeing in our public structures? Our mayor, most of city council and other city leaders really do not care as they have tolerated this for far too many years.
Carole
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 8:33 p.m.
No elevators -- too funny.
StopCrying
Thu, Jul 19, 2012 : 5:06 a.m.
Goober, if you read the article it explained that the rooftop was being used for handicap parking, as well as the golf carts..that is until the elevators are finished.
lefty48197
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 10:42 p.m.
There are elevators. They just haven't passed the state elevator inspection yet. They should be operational this week.
Goober
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 10:24 p.m.
To ordmad: I did not know you cared. I did not know you might have secret counting methods. I have commented on this project as the AA Big Dig, which will go down in history as one of the largest wastes of hard earned tax payers money. Many agree with me. Some do not. Thank you for noticing me and paying special attention to what I say. I am flattered.
ordmad
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 9:50 p.m.
@Goober: there are elevators. they are just not "done" yet. i know, a shocker that that's the case. equally as shocking is that you've commented on this project numerous times and somehow failed to miss that there are elevators in the structure.
Goober
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 9:08 p.m.
Oh? How are handicap drivers supposed to use this new extravaganza?
rusty shackelford
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 8:22 p.m.
And thus (please?) ends the saga of the new parking garage. Can you let Ryan focus on something else now?
Madeleine Borthwick
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 8:40 p.m.
Aw rusty, it's sooooo much fun to criticize this 50 million abomination. let's hear it for Pollay's Folly! Hats off to the Basement Boondoggle!
PoliSci
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 8:10 p.m.
Major oversight; cars exiting Post Office temporary lot cannot see and cannot be seen by oncoming traffic on Fifth, due to entrance obstruction. Entry and exit to PO lot need to be reversed asap.
Roncanada
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 8:09 p.m.
What's the "$12 premium Art Fair rate" - parking for dy or the 4 day fair?
StopCrying
Thu, Jul 19, 2012 : 5:05 a.m.
ANOTHER $12???? OMG
Madeleine Borthwick
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 8:38 p.m.
Roncanada, that's Per Drive In. if you leave and want to come back later, it's ANOTHER $12.
M
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 8:06 p.m.
There is absolutely no way that a parking garage requires a fiber optic data line installation. More money down the drain for literally nothing.
GoBlue1984
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 7:52 p.m.
Nicely done Ann Arbor ... finally you look out for the motorists!
JRW
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 7:48 p.m.
So, with all this technology need to make this thing work properly, what happens in a power outage? What security measures are in place?
StopCrying
Thu, Jul 19, 2012 : 5:04 a.m.
There is a generator that looks big enough to power the city sitting in the alley right next to the garage. I imagine that will be what handles any power outages.
whatsupwithMI
Thu, Jul 19, 2012 : 1:16 a.m.
And yes, this means... I tithed.
whatsupwithMI
Thu, Jul 19, 2012 : 1:15 a.m.
the major corporation I work for has 2 sets of diesel generators to power their parking structure in case of troubles. I drive by them each morning, as they are placed... in the structure. I don't see such backups in this structure. Maybe its the deepest dungeon level (furthest from air) that they placed the fuel-powered generators.....
lefty48197
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 10:04 p.m.
In a parking structure, as in any structure built today, there are mandated safety features. When the power goes out, back-up emergency lighting kicks on, lighting the egress path for anybody who happens to be in the structure at that time.
Madeleine Borthwick
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 8:36 p.m.
Big Box o' Candles. yuk!
mr_annarbor
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 7:34 p.m.
Stanton was undoubtedly trolling for comments like the last two by publishing the "smells 'brand new'" quote.
julieswhimsies
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 10:13 p.m.
Now that's just mean, mr_.
djm12652
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 7:20 p.m.
haha..."it smells like paint"? Wait a few months until it is used on a regular basis as a commode...
Ghost of Tom Joad
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 7:20 p.m.
glad to see it's actually getting use. Although, I'm sure that "new garage smell" will soon be replaced with something a little less customer-friendly.
ordmad
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 7:12 p.m.
Sounds like the people using it actually like it. Time will tell if the design is sound. No question that its execution took way too long. Let the non-constructive hating begin (and be sure to ding public art in the process).