Proposals for riverfront MichCon site in Ann Arbor include restaurant, offices, housing and more
The MichCon site along the Huron River in Ann Arbor as viewed from the Broadway bridges last May. It's now being eyed by developers for a potential redevelopment project.
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
"We've received several responses to our request for information regarding development of the site," said Randi Berris, a DTE spokeswoman.
"It's an interesting mix of proposals. They all include some sort of mixed use, as well as green space," she said. "Restaurants and office space and retail are in some of them."
A proposal from Ann Arbor developer Peter Allen is among those under consideration. Allen said he's reserving comment on the specifics of his team's proposal at this point, but he called it a "very ambitious plan" that is both environmentally sensitive and market sensitive.
The MichCon site encompasses about 14.2 acres along the Huron River at 841 Broadway St., just south of the Argo Dam and Argo Cascades. The site is located in a mixed-use area and is zoned for light industrial use.
Courtesy of city of Ann Arbor
DTE recently completed an environmental cleanup on the site along the Huron River, and it has indicated a willingness to set aside a portion of the land for public open space.
A city task force is starting to form a conceptual plan for a new riverside park there, possibly including a new canoe livery.
DTE also has asked interested developers to submit ideas for developing part of the site, so it's possible a mix of uses could share the property — some public, some private.
DTE isn't giving details at this point on the exact number of responses it received or specifics about what's being proposed. However, it has expressed interest in a development that could include restaurant, retail, residential, commercial office space and medical office uses.
Its stated goal is to bring about a first-class, mixed-use development capitalizing on the unique features of the riverside property, and incorporating significant green space open to the public.
If his vision comes to fruition, Allen said, it would connect the city and neighborhoods to the riverfront in a "glorious fashion." He said he doesn't see the additional environmental cleanup work that's still needed as any kind of financial or logistical hurdle, but rather an opportunity.
"We want to create a wonderful riverfront front door that's as significant as the Diag is to campus," he said of the site, which is a stone's throw from properties he owns on North Main.
"I've been in love with the property for 25 years, passionate about seeing something grand happen on it," Allen added.
Berris said DTE still is reviewing the responses that came in from developers. She said she expects to have more information to share in the coming months.
At this point, they're not formal proposals — only initial responses from developers regarding what they could do with the site if given the opportunity, Berris said.
Ronald Mucha, a senior vice president and principal of Morningside Equities Group, which has offices in Ann Arbor, said his firm submitted a proposal, but it's too early to comment.
Another firm rumored to have submitted a proposal to DTE is Farmington Hills-based Grand Sakwa Properties LLC, though company officials couldn't be reached for comment.
A subcommittee of the city's citizen-led North Main-Huron River Corridor Vision Task Force came up with this working draft plan for a riverfront park on the MichCon site along the Huron River near the Broadway bridges. It's only a rough sketch of the amenities some would like to see — those could be rearranged or changed to fit with whatever private development might happen on the site.
City of Ann Arbor
Drain didn't give specific details, but he said their proposal envisions the kind of mixed-use development DTE asked for in its request.
"We hope DTE takes it into consideration and we can keep talking," he said. "We really tried to consider the context and do something the market will support, so we tried to be realistic and be considerate of the ecology of the site and the amenity value of it."
Allen's team includes several local names, including landscape architecture firm Johnson Hill, engineering firm Nederveld Associates Inc., and ASTI Environmental.
He also is partnering with Fred Kent of Project for Public Spaces, and restaurateurs Jon Carlson and Greg Lobdell.
Carlson and Lobdell are the faces behind a half dozen restaurant and bar establishments in downtown Ann Arbor, including Blue Tractor, Cafe Habana, Lena, Jolly Pumpkin, Grizzly Peak and Mash. They also own a handful of restaurants in Royal Oak and Traverse City.
Allen said Peter Pollack, an accomplished landscape architect from Ann Arbor who passed away in 2010, was instrumental in helping him understand the site's potential. Some have suggested naming a future riverfront park on the MichCon site in Pollack's honor.
Drain, who went to the University of Michigan and lived in the Kerrytown neighborhood, said he's walked by the MichCon site many times and also sees its potential.
"I like the Argo Pond and the trails down there," he said. "It's a really nice area. Whoever builds something at the site needs to be sensitive to the character of the place."
The MichCon site encompasses about 14.2 acres along the Huron River at 841 Broadway St. The site is located in a mixed-use area and is zoned for light industrial use.
The site includes a western parcel that is generally grassy and undeveloped, while a large portion of the eastern parcel is paved. The eastern parcel was used until 2009 as a service dispatching center for DTE Gas and was historically used as a manufactured gas plant.
Peter Allen giving a presentation at a Downtown Development Authority meeting in 2011.
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
Berris said DTE remains committed to having "significant green space" on the site, and all of the initial submittals did include "a good amount of green space."
Whether that space is created through a private development effort or some other means is still being discussed. DTE has asked for creative financing strategies using public and private funding.
The remediation work recently done along the river's edge didn't address contamination elsewhere on the property. For instance, there are cyanide-contaminated soils on the western portion of the property. That might require additional cleanup depending on the future use of that area.
DTE officials have said the additional remediation work likely would be performed as part of the redevelopment phase during site preparation activities.
Allen said DTE did a great job of tapping the private sector to spend time and money analyzing the site to understand the problems and opportunities associated with it.
As for what happens next, "It's up to them. They own the land. They're in control."
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
KateT
Fri, Apr 19, 2013 : 2:57 a.m.
I got off the train in Italy and had a short walk to a nearby boarding house. I really appreciated no wheels needed. How about a boutique hotel or B and B near the train station? I don't know what the occupancy rates are on nearby properties.
Vince Caruso
Tue, Apr 9, 2013 : 4:13 p.m.
I'm really surprised there isn't much discussion about the fact that the DTE site is about 70% in the floodway. This is a major feature of the site and should have been shown in these maps. "No way" can residential be built in the floodway, would be illegal. That's what scrapped the first Homeless Shelter plan. Additionally the maps for this area are very "loosely calibrated" on the 1968 flood and are not very reliable. It would be nice if our city leaders would move to change this lapse in planning BMPs. Is anyone going to tell the occupants that they have cars parked or offices in a flood hazard zone? The overwhelming BMP for floodways is park space. When it floods on one or building is endangered, and no structures obstruct the flow that causes more flooding upstream. Buildings in flood zones generally become dilapidated over time not because of who uses or lives in them but because they are in harms way. Most enlighten communities have long since abandoned building in floodways and floodplains. We're taking federal funds to remove structures in the floodway and proposing new buildings in the floodway, go figure.
timjbd
Tue, Apr 9, 2013 : 6:46 p.m.
Engineers have allowed a great proportion of the Netherlands to exist below sea level.
snapshot
Tue, Apr 9, 2013 : 3:16 p.m.
This is the most exciting development proposal that's surfaced in Ann Arbor in a long time. River front developments have resulted in increased revenues in many cities. I'd like to see a waterfront dock with kayak/canoe rentals and a footbridge crossing the river. 10-12 stories hosting a top floor restaurant with a view, built on stilts to avoid flooding. And in case that cyanide contamination starts leaching into the river and needs to be addressed. Lower level could host a true beer garden with plenty of out door seating that could accomodate outdoor concerts/plays on the river. Hoping the city council and planning department don't screw it up with their nit picky, and favoritism of special interest groups.
DJBudSonic
Wed, Apr 10, 2013 : 12:55 a.m.
10 to 12 stories? Get serious. These tall buildings have no place in Ann Arbor. They are out of scale, they block the view, they ruin the roads when they are built, and they provide housing affordable only by the wealthy or transient wealthy. Is that what we really want Ann Arbor to become? Because we are well on the way to that.
ocho
Tue, Apr 9, 2013 : 1:24 p.m.
The Woodshed is a restaurant/bar/outdoor patio/music venue on the river and is a great stopping point for people biking/walking/hiking or just looking to get out. I'd love to see a relaxing place or beer garden/patio by the river.
Frustrated in A2
Tue, Apr 9, 2013 : 4:59 a.m.
Some restaurants and bars overlooking the river would be awesome!!!
hmsp
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 10:38 p.m.
@ Russ Miller, re: "your assertion that REP wasn't involved is totally incorrect." Hey, Russ, My bad, I guess. I'm pretty sure that it has been said here on aa.com that the engineers who designed the "Cascades" had no experience designing whitewater (not that you can call the "Cascades" whitewater!). Since REP has extensive experience designing whitewater courses, I assumed that they were not involved. Did they, too, sub it out, perhaps? That's the only way that they could be involved, and still have it designed by an inexperienced engineer. I guess another possibility is that I read that assertion in the comments section, not in an aa.com article. And, hey, that link didn't work for me –– I think it got cut off. Could you post it again? I'd like to read it. ******** Another reason I thought REP was not involved was because the end product of large expanses of exposed concrete do not jibe with REP's description of "grouted rock" in their proposal. When we talk of grouted bricks, tiles, cobblestones, or whatever, the assumption is that the "grout" part will be visually minimal. But maybe the City told them to cheapen up, and they revised their plan. Whatever, the end result of the Argo "Cascades" project was very disappointing, having more in common with a cupcake with some M&Ms stuck in the frosting than any sort of "grouted" construction. The lame design, coupled with the lame execution, only served to confirm for me that some low-ball, not REP, was responsible for the disappointing final product. But I am well aware that you have had your finger on the pulse of this from the very beginning, and have been much more involved than I, so I trust what you have to say. Thanks! (And post that link again.)
newsboy
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 8:01 p.m.
Ann Arbor needs a seedy water front area with real warehouses, docks, shanties and working fog horn. We need the kind of place where the public doesn't dare venture. Real water front film locations are lacking in a city that strives to be Michigan's biggest tourist destination.
timjbd
Tue, Apr 9, 2013 : 6:43 p.m.
Cannery Row.
Top Cat
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 6:18 p.m.
A great location for a minor league ballpark!
timjbd
Tue, Apr 9, 2013 : 5:51 p.m.
I like the idea of a minor league team in Ann Arbor but the stadium would get relatively infrequent use (45 home games) and the whole site would have to be taken up with parking. It's only 14 acres.
Vivienne Armentrout
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 6:17 p.m.
I have great respect for Peter Pollack. He should not be included by posthumous reference in a plan unless he actually contributed to it and signed off on it. Wish he were still here.
gbob
Tue, Apr 9, 2013 : 12:12 p.m.
I like the idea of naming a park for Peter Pollack how about renaming one of the existing river parks like Bandemer or Fustenberg both named for the people the City bought the land from and both designs that Peter was involved with.
andralisa
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 5:17 p.m.
Jolly Pumpkin - terrible food and terrible beer - the other restaurants they run are ok ...that's all I have to say on this whole subject - oh yeah - I love the development ideas!
Ryan J. Stanton
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 5:49 p.m.
Different people have different tastes, I suppose. I personally love the food and beer at Jolly Pumpkin. The red chile tofu sandwich (sans butter on the bread) is one of the best meals in town, in my opinion. I also like the Asian layered salad with tofu. Toss in some truffle fries and a Belipago IPA and I'm good to go.
Lizzy Alfs
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 5:14 p.m.
I've been running the Argo Dam trail a lot lately since it's been warmer outside, and I fell in love with the river all over again. It's such an amazing and underutilized part of our city. The idea of a riverfront restaurant is really exciting.
Bob Needham
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 4:19 p.m.
There is so much potential for this site. So exciting to think something really great might happen here -- and in our lifetimes.
sigdiamond
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 4:18 p.m.
Please, please people. Not to worry. Whatever becomes of it, rest assured it will be something you'll all be able to complain about.
Rita Mitchell
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 4:04 p.m.
Keep the train station in the existing location, and the whole area has a built-in component of transit oriented development, a short walk to downtown and other areas of the city. Solve the problem of getting over the tracks, as Dearborn and Troy are doing, as described by Jack Eaton. With respect to the actual station, the city should still decide whether to use our local tax dollars for improvements in the station, which is currently owned and operated by Amtrak.
G. Orwell
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 3:18 p.m.
So far what has been proposed for the park on this site lacks any form sense of imagination. Can't they do better than a picnic area, some trees and a canoe livery. I think my 9 year old son can do better with paper and crayons. How about a small outdoor concert venue, farmer's market, small water/fountain park, tennis courts, etc. Something more than your typical cookie cutter park. The Amtrak station must be be expanded on this site. It would make the park and businesses on the DTE site far more vibrant and help develop the entire river front. It just makes sense. You can have one centralized parking lot (a two story parking structure would save space for green area and development) for Amtrak, park, and businesses rather than two or three separate concrete parking areas.
Steve Bean
Tue, Apr 9, 2013 : 6:20 p.m.
The image caption explains the basic nature of the sketch.
Tom Joad
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 2:57 p.m.
Should be strictly a park with no retail and no restaurants. That part of the river is narrow. I don't see what the attraction would be sitting on a restaurant patio deck watching the water roll by. I go running along that trail all the time and there is no place to sit on the grass and enjoy the river, except for a tiny park next to Argo Dam and the livery. Throwing retail into that space would totally out of character and detract from realizing fully the natural landscape possible.
Jack Eaton
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 2:57 p.m.
The current Amtrak station's location in a flood area should not be an obstacle to building a new station on that same site. If the State provides the expected improvements in Detroit to Chicago rail beds, we will end up with two sets of tracks - one fro traffic in each direction. Federal regulations prohibit passengers from crossing rails to board a train. So the configuration of the new train station will require an overhead walkway for passengers to use to get from one side of the tracks to the other. For an example of that design, look at the illustration of the planned Dearborn station in this article: http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2012/04/10/construction-begins-on-new-dearborn-intermodal-rail-station/ If the design requires some elevated elements, then the whole station design could place the station above potential flood levels. For an example, see what the YMCA building did to address its placement in a flood area. Once the design includes the overhead walkway, the problem of having parking on the DTE side of the tracks is eliminated. Expanding the area available for parking from its current area into the leased and available but unused areas adjacent to the current area is a minor problem. The DTE land intended for park space and for this private development would still be available for those purposes. There would be no need to put the Amtrak station in Fuller Road Park.
brian123
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 2:13 p.m.
Would love to see a mini riverside boardwalk, connected to the B2B trail, with a few restaurants with outdoor patios overlooking the huron river...maybe a bike rental place, etc.
Usual Suspect
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 1:25 p.m.
It's so obvious - this is the ideal location for the train station because it has access to both railroads.
Jim Osborn
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 2:12 p.m.
No, if you keep it as a parking lot, it might just get flooded. We can't have that, can we? Uncover all of MichCons pollution so it can flow into the river. Then, we need to build a new parking lot on nice park land near the hospital, and raise our taxes to do all of this.
Nicholas Urfe
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 1:17 p.m.
Trains are noisy, filthy, sooty, and noisy. Move the train station away from downtown.
Vivienne Armentrout
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 6:12 p.m.
So do you prefer the UM Hospital as a location, as the mayor wants?
Nicholas Urfe
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 3:54 p.m.
"They don't use steam anymore, you know." Guess you haven't been to chicago station and breathed the choking diesel soot.
Usual Suspect
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 1:58 p.m.
... which are many, many times cleaner than shipping the same stuff by truck. It's never enough for the greenies, is it?
Brad
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 1:33 p.m.
No, but they do use sooty diesel engines which they already recognize as an air quality issue. Do you think they're solar powered or something?
Usual Suspect
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 1:26 p.m.
" filthy, sooty, " They don't use steam anymore, you know.
Larry Baird
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 12:53 p.m.
Here are two big unanswered questions in this article: 1.) How are these development proposals addressing the "elephant in the room"? - the Amtrak station and Amtrak's driveway easement for shared use of the driveway off Broadway? 2.) Do any of these proposals embrace the State of Michigan's creative financial incentives found within the State of MIchigan's official "Rail Plan"? According to page 38, 55 & 56 of Final Report Sept. 2011): "..13. Station area economic development strategies. The state should continue to encourage multi-use development around intercity passenger rail stations....Local municipalities and regional and local economic development agencies should work with developers to encourage the use of the new legislation on Transit Oriented Development to focus appropriate development around the state's passenger rail stations. . .. 3.1.1 Recent State Legislation Supporting Passenger Rail Projects.. Brownfield Transit Oriented Development (TOD). P.A. 241 of 2010 makes TOD (infrastructure with one-half mile of a transit station, or any public or private project housing a transit station) eligible for brownfield redevelopment tax incentives... (PLUS) • Corridor TOD. P.A. 242 of 2010.... • Building Authorities and TOD. .. • Commercial Redevelopment Districts. .. • Tax Increment Financing Authorities.. • Transit and Site Plans... • Transit Coordination.. • Private Infrastructure Investment Enable PIIF. .. • Transit Planning. ... • TIFIAs for TOD... • TEDF and TOD.... • TIFAs for TOD.... • TOD Incentives.... http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdot/MDOT_MI_SRP_public_review_draft_2011-05-23_600dpi_353776_7.pdf
Usual Suspect
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 1:28 p.m.
Didn't you used to play for the Boston Celtics?
Ryan J. Stanton
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 12:39 p.m.
As I was doing the reporting legwork for this story, one of the things that was encouraging to me was that none of the developers I spoke with said the challenges with the site (remaining contaminated soils, flooding issues, pedestrian/vehicle accessibility, and parking, etc.) were hurdles too big to overcome and make this site work in a way that delivers both a new riverfront park amenity for us and a financially feasible mixed-use development. So, there may be real hope for this eyesore of a site.
KateT
Fri, Apr 19, 2013 : 3:12 a.m.
Ryan, has there ever been much talk about a spray scape, such as the one in McClumpha Park in Plymouth Township? Last weekend, the new fountain in front of 15th District Court was demonstrated to a group of people including myself. as part of an art tour. Childen are actually encouraged to walk on a slanted, concrete surface with water running over it. I'm sure some will say I'm overprotective, but I cringed at the idea. A flat surface with some resilience seems better to me.
Larry Baird
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 7:10 p.m.
@Ryan J. Stanton - Thanks for elaborating. As you stated it's really a choice of building a true "gateway" station for the city of Ann Arbor that is centrally located and extremely walkable, such as the current site. Or build a "hypothetical" commuter station (no commuter service exists today) on city parkland for University employees. As for the alternatives analysis, have you considered reporting on why the original work plan approved last June by city council has not been executed upon and the plan consultant JJR is apparently no longer on the project? FYI, among the many biases, the original work plan for the alternatives analysis refused to consider the availability of part of the Michcon site. It also insisted upon placing the original Fuller Parking Garage construction footprint onto each of the alternative sites under review, effectively stacking the deck in favor of the Fuller site.
Ryan J. Stanton
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 2:40 p.m.
@Larry Baird — I personally like the location of the current Amtrak train station on Depot Street (a very short and convenient walk from downtown) and selfishly would be very happy to see the alternatives analysis for Ann Arbor Station come back and identify a feasible way to make a train station in that location work for the next several decades without proving to be the kind of logistical nightmare some city officials argue it would be from a traffic and accessibility standpoint. It's a fact there are real challenges surrounding the current site, but there also may be real opportunities for synergy with whatever happens on the adjacent MichCon property. An alternative transportation gateway to Ann Arbor that is a short walk to downtown and links up with riverfront trails and open space and maybe even a riverfront restaurant where people could grab a bite after getting off the train? Very cool. I also hear the arguments for putting it next to a place where an estimated 30,000-plus people go each day (knowing that we as a community would get to decide whether to repurpose a parking lot in parkland to make that happen). Like you, I'm hoping there's a thorough analysis of both these options so the community can make the best long-term choice.
Ryan J. Stanton
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 2:30 p.m.
Here are the flood maps. As you can see, a good portion of the MichCon site, except for the easternmost part closest to the Broadway bridges, is in the "red zone." http://www.annarbor.com/MichCon_flood_map.pdf http://www.annarbor.com/Allen_Creek_Depot_flood_map.pdf
Brad
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 1:25 p.m.
There are few engineering problems that can't be overcome with enough money. But who wants to throw that at a train station?
Larry Baird
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 1:13 p.m.
So if the flooding issues are not "too big to overcome" on the Michcon site, then the same could be said for the Amtrak site as well.
Brad
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 12:42 p.m.
That just tells us that they think it will be a very profitable development. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
Dug Song
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 12:21 p.m.
Ann Arbor River Walk - our second, pedestrian-only downtown, with a farmers market on the water! The draft plan so far looks like just another giant lawn / soccer field with a giant parking lot. We can do better!
sellers
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 5:28 p.m.
Brad - first, let me apologize for the horrible typos in my previous comment. Second, cars can visit the area, just not drive through. Parking would be accommodated in the perimeter. Look at these examples http://static.attractionsmagazine.com/wp-uploads/2011/06/citywalk.jpg http://d1vmp8zzttzftq.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/the-san-antonio-river-walk-in-san-antonio-texas-along-the-San-Antonio-River-1600x1066.jpg
Brad
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 1:29 p.m.
So for those of us who do not live within reasonable walking/biking/mopeding distance of that area (95% of the residents), if you aren't going to allow cars how do we take advantage of that area?
sellers
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 12:54 p.m.
Dug - much agree. A river walk ala San Antonio and what they did in Orlando at Universal. Trow in a mass transit station and some office building to great the full mixed use and you are talking. No cars, just places for mopeds, bikes, people, and a place where you could do outdoor concerts.
Tim Hornton
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 12:18 p.m.
This land used to belong to the Indians so it should be given back to them with a new reparations tax on white people in Ann Arbor to give monthly monetary paychecks to them. White people in Ann Arbor have no claim to this land!
ArthGuinness
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 5:41 p.m.
I've got to assume this is a joke.
Tim Hornton
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 4:34 p.m.
I forgot to add that if you are half white then your reparations tax should only be half of the rest of the white mans reparations to indians. The white mans greed for money and land have no end, the "Huron" river was thus named from its native people and should be given back to them not to the european ann arbor people. If it wasn't for white people then we would still have the dodo bird, sabor teeth tiger, woolly elephants, and bald eagles which have all gone extinct because of our selfishness. Also since EMU had to change their names to the eagles instead of the Hurons then we should change the name of the huron river out of respect so no more native people are offended
UpperDecker
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 3:43 p.m.
Back off our land Tim.
Jay Thomas
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 2:24 p.m.
Would the two people who voted Tim up please identify themselves if they are not directly related to any of the original tribes who roamed across what is today the state of Michigan. That way we can redistribute your possessions to these poor people immediately and start making a difference! (Anything you brought with you from outside the U.S. will not be counted, don't worry).
Usual Suspect
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 1:27 p.m.
Tim, the land where your home is used to belong to the animals, so it should be given back to the animals.
Brad
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 12:23 p.m.
What part of India are we talking?
DJBudSonic
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 12:22 p.m.
I can't tell if you are kidding or not. Because there is some truth to your remarks, but the same could be said for much of Ann Arbor. Especially the areas around the river.
hmsp
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 12:07 p.m.
The original proposal from Recreational Engineering & Planning, back in 2008, protected paddlers using the proposed whitewater course from Allen Creek's toxic effluent. That plan kept Allen Creek in a separate channel until well downriver. The upside of the current proposal is that it does give the City more real estate to play with, but at the price of subjecting paddlers to some pretty nasty water. Many commenters here at aa.com have flatly stated that they will not play in that course if they have to be in the toxic Allen Creek flow. Unlike the firm that ended up building the "Cascades," REP has actually built this type of thing before, and could thus be better trusted to think things through, and foresee possible pitfalls. For example, they were proposing a flow of about 120 CFS through the "Cascades," but (although I don't know this as a fact) I have read here at aa.com that the flow as constructed is only half that, 60 CFS. So, in order to have enough water to float a canoe over the drops, the chutes have to be narrower than most renters (who don't know how to paddle) can handle –– at least according to the City. Thus the bypass around Argo Dam that was specifically designed to accomodate inexperienced canoers is now off-limits to them. Perhaps the City could call an experienced company like REP back in now, to avoid further boondoggles, and design the rest of the Huron River/Allen Creek work right.
Russ Miller
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 3:16 p.m.
TSP was awarded the contract from the city but subcontracted the hydraulic design and modeling of the cascades to REP. Gary Lacy, Chief Engineer of REP gave the presentations to PAC before the resolution was passed along with folks from the construction firm TSP and landscape architecture firm Beckett and Raeder. I personally talked to Mr Lacy and another REP engineer during two rounds of testing of the cascades. I don't know why the project doesn't perform as expected, but your assertion that REP wasn't involved is totally incorrect. http://www.a2gov.org/government/communityservices/ParksandRecreation/Documents/argo_dam_improvements.JPG
RUKiddingMe
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 11:57 a.m.
Ryan, does this property include in its boundaries the entire chunk of what could potentially be used to expand the current train station/parking? It seems from the heavy line in the pic that there is still grass/unused space butting up against CURRENT station property/parking, but it's difficult to clearly tell. IS that grass I see next to current train station parking? WHat is that parking currently for in that sharp-angle boomerange shape that's partly up against Broadway?
Larry Baird
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 1:07 p.m.
"There is some concern with building a new train station in the floodway there." So "there is some concern" for building a new train station, but not these other developments? Last time I looked at the floodmap, most of the Michcon site was in the flood way as well as the flood plain.
Ryan J. Stanton
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 12:30 p.m.
The boomerang-shaped lot you're referencing is Amtrak passenger parking. And I haven't seen any conceptual plans that show expanding the station onto MichCon property, so I don't know what to tell you about what its theoretical footprint might look like. There is some concern with building a new train station in the floodway there.
Larry Baird
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 12:21 p.m.
The north west edge of Amtrak's boomerang property area is totally "unused" as well as the space under the bridge. In their push for moving the train station to Fuller Park, neither Amtrak nor the city have taken a serious look at the unused potential for expanded parking, etc. at the current location.
DJBudSonic
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 11:55 a.m.
When you think of sensitive riverfront use, Grand Sakwa IS NOT a name that comes to mind. Why isn't there more serious consideration of the property as an extension of the riverside parkland/train station expansion? Would that be considered public/private?
KateT
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 11:49 a.m.
While you mention "first class", I hope there will be some "affordable" options to make it as inclusive to everybody as possible. The plans sound like they will be sensitive to the natural surroundings which sounds great.
timjbd
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 11:20 a.m.
With an integrated classical train station this could really be a nice addition while cleaning up a wasteland. Could be great!
sellers
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 12:51 p.m.
Yes - adding a train station to this for a true mixed use development. Park, retail, office space, and mass transit would make that a real hub. Use the space wisely - don't create 1 story buildings when it could benefit from 5-10 story, but don't make a 25 story building that would be awkward in the existing skyline. This skyline will be visible from M14/BUS23 as well.
Arboriginal
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 11:27 a.m.
It must have towers!
Arboriginal
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 11:10 a.m.
C'mon! Let's see the Peter Allen proposal already!
Ryan J. Stanton
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 4:26 p.m.
He's trying to be respectful of DTE's review process and let that play out first. I'm just as anxious to see some of the details as you are.
Dan Ezekiel
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 10:43 a.m.
Exciting to hear that this former wasteland, located right across the river from the new Argo Cascade, will soon come to life.
Dan Ezekiel
Tue, Apr 9, 2013 : 2:27 p.m.
Are you familiar with the site? It was contaminated with toxic underground sludge for decades, is largely paved over, and has been the site of intense work by heavy equipment for nearly a year. Not a wildlife paradise, I'd say...
UpperDecker
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 3:41 p.m.
Good thing animals aren't as strong or smart as us.
Nicholas Urfe
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 1:20 p.m.
The animals who have been living in the "wasteland" probably think it already has life.