City Place developer unveiling new 'Heritage Row' plan
Developer Alex de Parry said today he intends to unveil new plans for City Place at a neighborhood meeting at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 14 at the Ann Arbor District Library.
Preservation architect John Dziurman is expected to present the developer's new “Heritage Row” plan for City Place, which de Parry says incorporates community input and comments received at previous neighborhood meetings.
The seven houses the developer plans to incorporate into his new 'Heritage Row' project.
According to de Parry, the project will meet the Secretary of Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation - the developer's attempt to put forth a project that will fit historic renovation guidelines if the area is designated a historic district.Â
City officials and neighbors have opposed de Parry's previous plans for a new apartment complex along South Fifth Avenue, and they've pushed for the creation of a historic district to force de Parry to develop a project that fits the neighborhood.
De Parry said all seven of the existing houses along South Fifth Avenue - which were slated for demolition under a previous controversial plan - will be rehabilitated, and the existing streetscape will be preserved.
De Parry said the design for the rear of the site consists of three separate, free-standing, 3.5-story buildings similar in scale to the “Washtenaw” apartment building one block east on East William Street. Underground parking will be located on the rear of the site under the three new buildings, de Parry said.
A plaza area also will be located behind the existing houses in the center of the site, according to de Parry.
Ryan J. Stanton covers government for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529.
Comments
Cendra Lynn
Tue, Dec 1, 2009 : 11:12 p.m.
Why is De Parry still at it? What is in it for him? How can this be making him money? Is he going to collect all the rent or is he going to sell the project? What keeps developers racing here to ruin our city? What am I missing?
russellr
Tue, Dec 1, 2009 : 12:08 p.m.
Once again all you negative commenters need to put your money where your mouth is. I get so tired of you that didn't pay one penney for the property or any taxes on it, and want to tell the builder what to do with it. YOU should be thanking your lucky stars that any builder in this economy would try to build anything. As the other reader stated look at Ypsilanti it will be a ghost town. If you want to input your voice on what to do buy the property and build what you want.
JoAnn Barrett
Tue, Dec 1, 2009 : 11:35 a.m.
This is potentially a very exciting development. By working with a historic preservation architect, Alex DuParry may be delivering to the Ann Arbor Real Estate market a very desirable commodity. We can't know until we see the plans, but this is a move in the right direction for Mr. DeParry, the city, and the many people who want a downtown property with history and modern amenities. There is a strong precedent for increasing property values with renovations that command a market value routinely over $200 a square foot downtown and on the Old West Side. 303 S. Main was extrordinarily successful in the over $250's/sq ft range. Liberty Lofts commands over $250 at re-sale. Depending on the size and finishes, properties can achieve in excess of $300 per sq. ft. It is the cookie-cutter properties that are having more difficulty in the current real estate market. By incorporating the legacy of these beautiful homes, Mr. DuParry may be creating a unique property which will be in great demand. I look forward to seeing the plans. This may be an instance where the process really pays off.
Woman in Ypsilanti
Tue, Dec 1, 2009 : 11:03 a.m.
Someone should tell this guy that there is a nice vacant lot for sale, close to downtown Ypsilanti, where he would probably not encounter much resistance. Just have him call City Hall and ask about Water Street. har har. Seriously Ann Arbor folks...you are lucky that this guy still wants to do this and is willing to conform to local preferences regarding how the project looks. It could me much much worse.
Do not taunt Happy Fun Ball
Tue, Dec 1, 2009 : 8:23 a.m.
And likely all the "units" will end up on the Short Sale list as some bank is forced to dump their toxic assets in a few years. Houses all over the county are selling at cost-to-build pricing and below. Downtown may keep some of it's allure but it is tough to compete against $100/sf for a used McMansion.
annarbor28
Mon, Nov 30, 2009 : 6:20 p.m.
Why can't Ann Arbor just control these developers? What's in it for the City? Will they really get so much more tax money to justifying changing the landscape of A2 in so many ways? Anyhow, City Council and the mayor aren't so smart about how they spend tax money. More sculptures from overseas, maybe? More parking lots? It's really important to keep Ann Arbor from being unnecessarily overdeveloped. Who needs these developers?
townie
Mon, Nov 30, 2009 : 2:46 p.m.
As usual, a2grateful distorts the facts to present a one-sided, pro-development point-of-view. Mr. de Parry has NEVER proposed ANY use that was "less intense than existing zoning allows." His "by right" proposal maxed out every conceivable dimension of existing zoning (and exceeded it in several ways, although the City chose to approve it rather than properly enforce the zoning due to the City Attorney's paralyzing fear of litigation). His other proposals were PUDs (planned unit developments), which far exceeded the R4C zoning limits for density, height, width, length, setbacks, etc. This new one, which no one has seen, is expected to be presented as a PUD, as well.
a2grateful
Mon, Nov 30, 2009 : 2:06 p.m.
Interesting development in this chess match. Recap the moves:. Owner purchases properties within existing zoning district.. Owner petitions for renewed property use in manner that is less intense than existing zoning allows.. Owner receives fierce opposition to plans from neighboring property owners and from City.. Owner withdraws plan, incorporating comments in revised plan.. Above scenario repeats several times, resulting in several denials.. Owner submits development plan that meets current existing zoning ordinance.. City establishes historic district study area, effectively blocking demolition of houses to allow approved by-right and legal development.. Owner dances to the tunes played by the meddling pipers once again, hiries historic preservation architect, and revises plan to save existing houses, readying an expanded project to fit historic renovation guidelines if area is designated a historic district.. Mr. de Parry has the stamina of a triathlete.. Neighbors and municipal naysayers may be "running out of gas." As the developer presents yet another plan, his court case grows stronger, as he once again makes effort to meet legal criteria presented and fabricated to block his development path.. Next moves by neighbors and City will be predictable.. Enjoy the match.. Your tax dollars pay for it!