Getting around Ann Arbor will be tricky as thousands of University of Michigan students move in
The University of Michigan and the city of Ann Arbor are cooperating to make sure things go smoothly this week as thousands of students move in to campus residence halls.
That means there'll be several changes to normal traffic patterns and parking restrictions on certain city streets from 6 a.m. Wednesday through 10 p.m. Friday.
U-M spokesman Rick Fitzgerald said walking will be a good strategy for anyone trying to get around campus during the three-day move-in event.
University of Michigan students carry items into a residence hall in this file photo.
City officials said the following changes are intended to minimize the anticipated congestion caused by the returning student population (download a map).
- Thompson — one way southbound from East Jefferson to Packard
- Madison — one way eastbound from South Division to South State
- Observatory — one way southbound from East Ann to Geddes
- East Washington — one way westbound from Fletcher to South State - meters bagged
- Maynard — meters bagged from Jefferson to East William
- East University — meters bagged from Hill to Willard
- Church — meters bagged from Hill to Willard
- North University Court — meters bagged
- Monroe — from State to the end of the cul-de-sac - meters bagged
- Oxford — parking reserved for move-in from Hill to Geddes
- Washington Heights — from Observatory to E. Medical Center Drive
- East Ann — one-way eastbound from Zina Pitcher Place to Observatory (Couzens Hall is opening this fall after being closed for a year of renovation)
Peter Logan, a spokesman for university housing, estimated about 7,000 undergraduate students will move in between Wednesday and Friday, while another 3,000 will move in other days. He said another 1,300 graduate students will be moving into university housing.
Classes at U-M start Sept. 6.
Fitzgerald said official fall enrollment numbers won't be known until October, but he can say for certain that the on-campus residence halls are "absolutely filled to capacity" this year.
U-M officials said last October fall enrollment was at an all-time high. A total of 41,924 students had enrolled, including 14,897 graduate students and 27,027 undergraduates.
For more information, including move-in maps and a full move-in schedule, check out the university's fall move-in webpage at http://housing.umich.edu/fall-movein.
A temporary prohibition on all peddling and soliciting activities within a one-block radius of the move-in areas has been approved by the City Council. Additionally, the council has directed city staff to refrain from issuing permits for the use of sidewalks within a one-block radius of university residence halls during the three-day move-in event.
U-M has agreed to pay the city $10,450 for occupancy of the public right-of-way, as well as the costs for any other city services specifically related to the move-in. City officials said the university also has agreed to maintain required emergency traffic lanes and staff barricades to ensure the safety and security of individuals moving in.
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
15crown00
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 4:19 a.m.
if u don't have to be in the area stay out of it.relax BLUE BRAINS it will be over soon. many of these kids will be really on their own for the very first time.they'll need to grow up and grow up fast. new ones don't get out in the car to explore.all you'll do is add to the confusion.if u must drive don't take ANY electronic devices with u because u don't need any additional distractions. good luck residents and new kids.you'll both need it.
A2 is a Utopia
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 5:31 p.m.
Time to build that gosh darn wall to keep the out of towners out
Forever27
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 2:36 p.m.
Welcome back, students. I'm glad you're here. However, I have a word of advice for all of you. Your mommy is no longer around to pick up after your so put your solo cups and paper plates in the trash.
Thomas
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 4:22 p.m.
i so agree with you on this one. i can't count how many red solo cups i see on state street coming in from 94.
WalkingJoe
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 2:25 p.m.
I have live in the area all my life and I know there are 2 weeks to avoid downtown Ann Arbor if you don't like traffic or crowds, Art Fair time and student move in week. I know somebody is going to mention football Saturdays but since I am going to several this fall I didn't think that would count. :)
Mr Blue
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 1:38 p.m.
This is not news.
Enso
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 4:56 p.m.
Your comment about this not being news is not really comment-worthy.
MjC
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 4:22 p.m.
This is news to me... good news, and I need all the good news I can get these days. I love the energy that the students bring into the city this time of year. It's a time for renewal and new beginnings. I want to take it all in each and every year and I enjoy reading all about it.
Thomas
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 4:20 p.m.
I love reading replies, people complain about everything. I would consider this news for anyone new to the area.
Mr Blue
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 3:49 p.m.
That's why it's not news. It's happened many times before and it will happen again, you already know what to do and so does everyone else whose lived here for a couple of years. So this is nothing "new". It would be news if there was no student move in. Like the the sun not rising or the ocean tides stopped.
djm12652
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 2:33 p.m.
agreed....it happens every year, I am now officially in mourning for the loss of my favorite 6 weeks in A2...after Art Fair up to move in...I am surprised at the level of standards now required to enter UM...don't even have to know how to read! Now begins the towing season for my private parking space that is usually taken up by students [and/or their entitled parents]when I have to go somewhere...but that's okay kids, God takes care of the ignorant...me...I just have them towed.
Jake C
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 2:05 p.m.
And why is this not news? Move-in happens every year, but it's still something people need to be aware of. Student move-in directly impacts my life more than 99% of the stories that get reported by AnnArbor.com, or any other news organization for that matter.
Lonnie
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 1:23 p.m.
I wish the City would enforce the cleanup of the trash that students create. Supposedly the City charges $100 to clean up a yard, but I see trash sitting out for weeks with no clean-up. There is so much mess already. Mattresses, garbage by street at corner of William and Division, and piles of garbage strewn about on sidewalk by corner of William and Hamilton. Doesn't the Mayor and other City officials commute (walk, bike, drive) around town and see these garbage eyesores? I don't understand why garbage is allowed to linger strewn on sidewalks for days and weeks.
WalkingJoe
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 2:27 p.m.
I think that is more of a problem when the school year is done and everybody leaves, but that may just be me.
a2grateful
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 1:13 p.m.
"Children have to be educated, but they have also to be left to educate themselves." Abbé Dimnet, Art of Thinking, 1928. Welcome to all the students and families coming to the city of a2, and the world via The University of Michigan. We appreciate all of you, first semester or last, and those in between. Be safe, be smart, be true . . . Go Blue!
Mr Blue
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 1:39 p.m.
PLease use the trash and recycle containers.
gofigure
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 11:54 a.m.
Bet City Council wishes they passed the "idling law". Ca-ching!
golfer
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 11:11 a.m.
need to watch out for kmart, mijers, sams and target. they will be getting everything in the store. restaurants you need to get to early. watch the driving. kids, will not know the way around ann arbor. cell phones while driving will be major. best advice is to buy a book and stay home for one week. it was nice while it latested only 8 months until they go home. nice having them back might help the idle ticket rate go up.
Forever27
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 6:54 p.m.
I was at Meijer last night. Granted, every time I go there they always have at least one item on my list that hasn't been stocked. However last night was especially bad. You'd think that they didn't realize move-in week was upon us.
xmo
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 11:08 a.m.
Hooray the $tudents are coming!
Steve Pepple
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 10:59 a.m.
A comment written in all capital letters, which is the online equivalent of shouting, has been removed.
goosenews
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 6:18 p.m.
At least there is an explanation on why the post was removed, BUT come on now, all capital letters gets a comment removed. Doesn't seem to be in line with a free press. Another reason to stop home delivery of the paper and not responding to ads online. At first I kept home delivery in order to contribute money to the cause of a local paper, but annarbor.com has turned into a joke of a news organization. It's really too bad as I was a faithful follower for the last 20 years.
kraiford12
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 2:49 p.m.
LOL, El oh El... Really!?!one!?
golfer
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 11:09 a.m.
sorry did not know that. thanks