Images from City Place houses as developer prepares for demolition

Posted on Thu, Nov 3, 2011 : 5:58 a.m.

Images from City Place houses as developer prepares for demolition

By Ryan J. Stanton

Construction equipment, including at least two excavators, a bulldozer, and a backhoe, has appeared on the proposed site of the controversial City Place apartments project. This photo was taken behind the houses on Thursday.

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Construction equipment, including at least two excavators, a bulldozer, and a backhoe, has appeared on the proposed site of the controversial City Place apartments project. This photo was taken behind the houses on Thursday. by Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com

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Construction equipment, including at least two excavators, a bulldozer, and a backhoe, has appeared on the proposed site of the controversial City Place apartments project. This photo was taken behind the houses on Thursday. by Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/City Place 2/cache/110211_NEWS_City_Place_1_____fullsize.jpg
The house at 433 S. Fifth Ave. where Herbert M. Slauson (1853-1936), the namesake of Slauson Middle School and Ann Arbor's former superintendent of schools, lived for many years and died. It's one of seven houses slated to be demolished, possibly this month, as part of the City Place project. by Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/City Place 2/cache/110211_NEWS_City_Place_2__fullsize.jpg
A view of the front yard of one of the seven houses on Fifth Avenue that face the wrecking ball. Developer Jeff Helminski is leading the project and is awaiting approval of a demolition permit. by Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/City Place 2/cache/110211_NEWS_City_Place_3__fullsize.jpg
Underground water and sanitary sewer pipes are on site now. The utility work is expected to begin as soon as this weekend. by Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/City Place 2/cache/110211_NEWS_City_Place_4__fullsize.jpg
Another of the seven century-old old houses slated for demolition. The Ann Arbor City Council rejected a proposal to form a historic district for the Germantown neighborhood, which would have saved the houses. by Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/City Place 2/cache/110211_NEWS_City_Place_5__fullsize.jpg
A truck from D.N. Higgins Inc., an underground utilities contractor from Ann Arbor, is onsite. The company is doing the underground utility work, which is expected to be visible at the corner of William and Fifth this weekend. by Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/City Place 2/cache/110211_NEWS_City_Place_6__fullsize.jpg
Wolverine Building Group of Grand Rapids is the main contractor on the City Place project, which includes constructing two student apartment buildings containing 24 units with 144 beds and a 36-space surface parking lot. by Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/City Place 2/cache/110211_NEWS_City_Place_7__fullsize.jpg
More underground water and sewer pipes sit onsite in front of the houses. An alternate proposal, known as Heritage Row, would have included restoring the seven houses, but it fell one vote short of approval. by Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/City Place 2/cache/110211_NEWS_City_Place_8__fullsize.jpg
Beyond the pipes in this photo, orange construction fencing surrounds trees that are in the right-of-way along Fifth Avenue. Those trees will not be touched as part of the project, though many other trees on the property have been cut down. by Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/City Place 2/cache/110211_NEWS_City_Place_9__fullsize.jpg

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Last week, trees were cut down on the City Place property in downtown Ann Arbor.

Now, the developers are closer to demolishing seven houses that will make way for the City Place apartments.

Here are images from the property on South Fifth Avenue between East Liberty and East William.

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 e-mail newsletters.

Comments

discgolfgeek

Fri, Nov 4, 2011 : 12:35 p.m.

Ann Arbor voters, I hope you vote the people responsible for this out of office.

Marilyn Wilkie

Thu, Nov 3, 2011 : 3:35 p.m.

A person who was born and raised in Ann Arbor all I can say is this is a disgrace. Do the Ann Arbor officials have any sense of the history of this town or are they all from other places and don't care? Do they want everything to be brick squares? Did anyone at least make arrangements to have someone come and save any of the architectural beauty of these houses? Did anyone think to have Habitat for Humanity come and claim things? That is what they did with 2 houses in Dexter. I'm glad my German immigrant ancestors aren't around to witness this.

PersonX

Thu, Nov 3, 2011 : 3:20 p.m.

This is pure barbarism chasing a dollar, and there is no other way of describing it. There is enough blame on all sides of this sorry tale, but as I see it, the main burden lies on the Mayor and his buddies on council, who cynically played with the idea of a historic district, but never intended to let it pass. Marcia Higgins co-sponsored the resolution to appoint a committee when it was politically expedient and then voted against he district without a word of comment. Others may have different opinions, but this is one interpretation. But ultimately the real blame lies with the new development team led by Jeff Helminski. They do not have to destroy the houses, and they certainly do not have to build a monstrosity that will bring shame on them professionally and hurt the whole city. It is their choice. All we can do is remember them when we walk or drive by this horror, Helminski's Folly, designed by Brad Moore. Those who like it can honor them …

ordmad

Thu, Nov 3, 2011 : 1:43 p.m.

For those who value history, this is a sad, sad sight. For those who mock that sentiment, please return to the indistinguishable home in the indistinguishable subdivision whence you came. And please, when traveling there, stop for pedestrians in the crosswalks.

Ryan Munson

Thu, Nov 3, 2011 : 1:23 p.m.

Advertisements in the pictures? Interesting.

hut hut

Thu, Nov 3, 2011 : 2:50 p.m.

@Jen When the day comes when aadotcom isn't "free" (I pay for internet) for access to their blog is the day I stop reading. aadotcom is not the NYT.

Jen Eyer

Thu, Nov 3, 2011 : 2:16 p.m.

Yes, we now serve ads in our photo galleries — one for every set number of photos. It contributes to keeping our content free for readers. Thanks for commenting!

beuwolf

Thu, Nov 3, 2011 : 12:43 p.m.

The real blame lies with the city council persons who did not approve the historic district, Rapundolo, Derezinski and Smith being the ringleaders. I hope that Rapandulo hears a message on voting day next Tuesday which is "Good Bye and Good Riddance".

Brad

Thu, Nov 3, 2011 : 12:15 p.m.

Oh, the humanity! OK, can we move on now?

rusty shackelford

Thu, Nov 3, 2011 : 11:44 a.m.

Thanks Anglin! Thanks Hohnke! You succeeded! Too bad this is your definition of success.

a2grateful

Thu, Nov 3, 2011 : 10:46 a.m.

For anyone concerned with demolition: Contact the developer to see if they will let you remove a house, or multiple houses. Then, relocate the improvements to the site of your choice. However, it is likely that no party will save any of these houses, even if they are free for the taking. This is a typical scenario.

DonBee

Thu, Nov 3, 2011 : 12:40 p.m.

a2grateful - Three weeks ago, someone might have had a chance. I suspect these houses will be gone by Saturday.