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photo gallery: Library Lane underground parking garage opens to public in downtown Ann Arbor

By Ryan J. Stanton Political Reporter

Posted on Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 7:48 p.m.

Dozens of people filtered through the new Library Lane underground parking garage in downtown Ann Arbor Thursday evening as the Downtown Development Authority ceremonially celebrated the structure's grand opening.

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Dozens of people filtered through the new Library Lane underground parking garage in downtown Ann Arbor Thursday evening as the Downtown Development Authority ceremonially celebrated the structure's grand opening. by Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com

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Dozens of people filtered through the new Library Lane underground parking garage in downtown Ann Arbor Thursday evening as the Downtown Development Authority ceremonially celebrated the structure's grand opening. by Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/underground parking opens/cache/underground_parking_071212_RJS_001_fullsize.jpg
The garage extends four stories below ground and includes 711 spaces. Here's a view of the first floor below ground level. by Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/underground parking opens/cache/underground_parking_071212_RJS_002_fullsize.jpg
Four stories below ground level, daylight splashes onto the pedestrian staircase leading up to Fifth Avenue. by Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/underground parking opens/cache/underground_parking_071212_RJS_003_fullsize.jpg
Each level of the parking structure is coded with a different color and its own unique classic car theme. Level 1 is green and features the 1939 Continental. Level 2 is blue and features the 1953 Corvette. Level 3 is orange and features the 1959 Eldorado. Level 4 is red and features the 1969 Daytona. by Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/underground parking opens/cache/underground_parking_071212_RJS_004_fullsize.jpg
Ray Detter, chairman of the Downtown Area Citizens Advisory Council, described the new structure as "beautiful." Here he walks from the third level below ground up to the second level. by Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/underground parking opens/cache/underground_parking_071212_RJS_005_fullsize.jpg
Rob Aldrich, who served on the DDA board from 1999 until 2007, including as chair in 2001-02, is credited with coming up with the idea for a "big ass parking structure" on the Library Lot. A plaque inside the new structure acknowledges his vision. by Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/underground parking opens/cache/underground_parking_071212_RJS_006_fullsize.jpg
The new structure features six electric vehicle charging stations. Instead of the usual ribbon cutting, a blue Nissan Leaf electric car, not pictured, drove through a checkered ribbon and into the new garage to ceremonial mark its opening Thursday night. by Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/underground parking opens/cache/underground_parking_071212_RJS_007_fullsize.jpg
Help boxes with blue lights are located throughout the structure, along with fire alarms. Many who checked it out commented on how surprisingly well-lit it was for an underground garage. by Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/underground parking opens/cache/underground_parking_071212_RJS_008_fullsize.jpg
An automated pay station allows motorists to pay the $1.10-an-hour fee and then exit quickly without waiting in line to pay an attendant. by Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/underground parking opens/cache/underground_parking_071212_RJS_009_fullsize.jpg
Alex Feighner, an employee of Republic Parking who will be working the afternoon/evening shift inside the new structure, chats on the phone Thursday night. He'll be working inside his own personal air-conditioned booth. by Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/underground parking opens/cache/underground_parking_071212_RJS_010_fullsize.jpg
A number of classic cars were on display during the grand opening ceremony to promote the Rolling Sculpture Car Show, which runs from 2-10 p.m. Friday, July 13. by Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/underground parking opens/cache/underground_parking_071212_RJS_011_fullsize.jpg
Even a unicyclist passed through to check out the new parking structure, which will have 711 parking spaces on four levels below ground, with 52 spaces above grade. by Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/underground parking opens/cache/underground_parking_071212_RJS_012_fullsize.jpg
A ground level view of the pedestrian staircase off Fifth Avenue that winds four stories down, stopping at each level. There also are elevators. by Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/underground parking opens/cache/underground_parking_071212_RJS_013_fullsize.jpg
Fun plaques like this one line the new Library Lane, which cuts through the block from Division Street to Fifth Avenue past the Ann Arbor District Library next to the garage. by Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/underground parking opens/cache/underground_parking_071212_RJS_014_fullsize.jpg
The entrance to the parking structure from Library Lane, which is accessible off Division Street between William and Liberty streets. by Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/underground parking opens/cache/underground_parking_071212_RJS_015_fullsize.jpg
DDA Chair Leah Gunn gives a speech to the crowd on the top of the parking structure. Gunn believes more parking downtown will help bring businesses to Ann Arbor. by Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/underground parking opens/cache/underground_parking_071212_RJS_018_fullsize.jpg
DDA Director Susan Pollay, left, shares a laugh with Debbie Dingell, wife of U.S. Rep. John Dingell. by Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/underground parking opens/cache/underground_parking_071212_RJS_019_fullsize.jpg
Pat Podges, vice president for the Christman Co., left, and DDA board member John Splitt, at Thursday's celebration. Both men were heavily involved in overseeing the project. by Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/underground parking opens/cache/underground_parking_071212_RJS_020_fullsize.jpg
Mayor John Hieftje speaks during the celebration. He said Barracuda Networks, which is expanding downtown and bringing hundreds of employees to the former Borders location, wouldn't have done so without more parking. by Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/underground parking opens/cache/underground_parking_071212_RJS_021_fullsize.jpg
Another one of the plaques that line the sidewalks along Library Lane. by Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/underground parking opens/cache/underground_parking_071212_RJS_022_fullsize.jpg
Wooden pieces of the structural retaining wall used during the project were given out as souvenirs at the event. by Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/underground parking opens/cache/underground_parking_071212_RJS_023_fullsize.jpg
Council Member Margie Teall, D-4th Ward, contributed photos from the 2009 groundbreaking of the parking structure to a time capsule that's being buried in the lower level of the garage. by Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/underground parking opens/cache/underground_parking_071212_RJS_024_fullsize.jpg
Leah Gunn donated a Nov. 5, 2003 copy of The Ann Arbor News, which carried the headline "Greenbelt proposal wins landslide voter approval," to the time capsule. The picture on the front page shows her and Mayor John Hieftje celebrating. by Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/underground parking opens/cache/underground_parking_071212_RJS_025_fullsize.jpg
Ann Arbor resident Alan Haber, who wants to see the surface of the parking structure turned into a public green space, looks over items Gunn, in pink, contributed to the time capsule. by Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/underground parking opens/cache/underground_parking_071212_RJS_026_fullsize.jpg
The new structure is highlighted in the July 2012 issue of CAM Magazine, the Construction Association of Michigan's trade publication. The article describes the process of design and construction, which began with the goal of providing a structure that feels safe and inviting and is environmentally friendly. by Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/underground parking opens/cache/underground_parking_071212_RJS_028_fullsize.jpg
The welcome sign at the vehicle entrance ramp off Fifth Avenue notes that rates are $1.10 an hour. The rate is printed on an interchangeable tag that can easily be replaced when rates go up. The sign also says motorcycles, scooters, mopeds and bicycles are prohibited, as are snowplows. Vehicles left over 72 hours will be towed or immobilized. by Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/underground parking opens/cache/underground_parking_071212_RJS_029_fullsize.jpg

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Ann Arbor's new Library Lane underground parking structure ceremonially opened to the public Thursday night, bringing 711 parking spaces on four levels below ground, plus another 52 spaces above grade. Dozens of people came out to join the Downtown Development Authority and city officials in celebrating the $50 million project's completion.

Tags: DDA, Library Lane, underground parking structure,

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