Downtown Ann Arbor

Last year a high volume of rainfall made the Huron River a fantastic and adventurous place to kayak. This summer the City of Ann Arbor has a few planned changes to make the experience even more desirable.

The Huron River is a great place for summer and spring. Photo credit: A. Cosme

The Argo Cascade is a new series of drop pools along the Huron River that bypass the Argo Dam for kayaking. The addition, just north of downtown Ann Arbor, will be composed of nine individual drop pools for kayakers and other river goers. In addition to the drop pools the city has also added a series of new walking trails and plans on rebuilding the bridge leading into the Argo Cascades.

An additional eight weeks of construction will remain before the entire development is completed and Ann Arbor city officials anticipate closure until mid-April. Plans are also in place to open two whitewater features along the river later this summer.

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Here’s a list that could be helpful to anyone looking for real estate in the Ann Arbor area or even in downtown Ann Arbor.

The Ann Arbor District Library:  Locations and information.

Hours of Operation

Monday: 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Tuesday – Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Sunday: 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

For a list of holiday closings visit their website here.

Branches and their location

• Traverwood Branch
  3333 Traverwood Drive (at Huron Parkway), Ann Arbor, MI 48105

• Downtown Library
  343 South Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor, MI 48104

• Pittsfield Branch
  2359 Oak Valley Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48103

• Malletts Creek Branch
  3090 East Eisenhower Parkway, Ann Arbor, MI 48108

• West Branch
  2503 Jackson Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48103(734)327-4200

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In conjunction with the recent coverage of the Ann Arbor District Library, PiperPartners would like to present list of upcoming events hosted by the AADL .

A particularly interesting and exciting event coming this weekend is a series of video game tournaments on the Nintendo Game Cube platform.

And here is a list of other, more serious events coming to the library sometime soon.

• Curriculum of Color: Rudolf Steiner School of Ann Arbor Annual Student Art Exhibit
  Now through February 28, 2012 — Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room Exhibit and 3rd Floor Exhibit
• From the Painter’s Eye: Watercolors from A2H2O
  Now through March 13, 2012 — Malletts Creek Branch: Exhibits
• Saturday For Art – UM Community Art Group
  March 2, 2012 through April 15, 2012 — Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room Exhibit
• 2011 AIA Huron Valley Honor Awards: The Huron Valley Chapter of the American Institute of Architects
  March 2, 2012 through April 15, 2012 — Downtown Library: 3rd Floor Exhibit
• Ann Arbor District Library Staff Art Exhibit
  March 2, 2012 through April 15, 2012 — Downtown Library: Lower Level Display Cases
• Intersections & From Trunk to Wall: Paintings by Chrisa Craig & Suzanne Beutler
  March 17, 2012 through April 29, 2012 — Malletts Creek Branch: Exhibits

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This week Ann Arbor will close its Traverwood Branch of the Ann Arbor Public Library for the refinishing of the wooden floor there.

Traverwood Library, Ann Arbor.

Earlier in the week the library was closed and will remain so until the 23 of February. The relatively new library building, constructed in 2008, had it’s lobby constructed from dead ash trees that were removed during the construction of the building. This approach to sustainability is the driving force behind the unusual close-down.

Library Director Josie Parker indicated some of the reasons for the shut down and pointed out how the library intends always use the most sustainable means to keep the library in shape. Due to high traffic in the lobby area the wood here has come to need repair and refinishing sooner than expected. Finishes used in the initial construction are not holding up to all of the wear and tear, but Ms. Parker remains faithful.

“We could simply throw all caution to the wind and finish the floor like a basketball court, but that seems shortsighted and unjustified.” Parker reiterated Ann Arbor’s desire to continue repairing the library in the most responsible fashion. She added that the whole project would include sanding, repairs and refinishing.

The repairs are estimated to cost between 10,000 and 12,000 dollars. This is the second time that repairs have been made to this part of the library since it opened. Δ John Fenton

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The University of Michigan Hospital. Downtown Ann Arbor, MI.

There are the obvious reasons: Money and access to resources. PiperParnters brought us updates on the money in an earlier post during our focus on hospitals, but how about the sheer numbers of people. One of the biggest ways the U of M Health Systems affects the Ann Arbor area is in the number of people who, year after year, find themselves looking for a location to live due to the nature of their employment.  Doctors, residents, students, support staff, how many of thousands of them are there and what exactly is their role in Ann Arbor living outside of the hospital system?

On an average the University has 800 – 900 total intern doctors, surgeons and faculty members.  That’s permanent, regular hospital staff who are working at U of M professionally. These are the people who will be looking for a starter home, some place to begin their family or even a home to grow old in. They want to be by the job and also near schools for their kids and easy access to work and life for their spouses.

The hospital also picks up quite few helping hands each year. Due to the extensive school and research programs associated with the hospital hundreds flock for the chance to join the full time staff. Every year on an average the University Hospital brings in over 200 – 300 new staff members.  Roughly 100 of those new faces will be hired as faculty. Over 200 residents doctors will be graduating from their three years of residency, many will be hired on as new staff  while many will also be replaced by new residencies.

It works like this: When you graduate from medical school, you are either a doctor of medicine or a surgeon, but either way you must complete time as a resident doctor.  Your fist year is spent in this capacity at a hospital and can last as long as three years or be as short as one. Once this residency is completed, most doctors will then find themselves a post residency for specialty or a fellowship. Again people looking to establish residence in Ann Arbor.

There are a number of nearby condos in Ann Arbor that fit a variety of those needs. Click on the links for more detailed descriptions of the condos.

Northside Ridge Condos

Cambridge Condos

Northside Glenn Condos

Geddes Lake Condos

Berkshire Creek Condos

Brentwood Square Condos

All of these condos are near enough to the hospital for a walking commute to work or at the very least a short bus ride. Later in the coming week we will cover more of the potential residences for hospital employees and the variety of living arrangements that suit their particular needs. Δ John Fenton

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Ann Arbor has an impressive history with education and public learning. It is important here. It remains the cornerstone to a solid community foundation. Not least of the tools in Ann Arbor, public libraries, good, healthy, robust libraries, are essential to this building and forward vision.

Interior of Ann Arbor's Traverwood Public Library. by A. Piper

What’s the deal with the library article though?

What do libraries have to do with real estate?

Surely little and less. Whatever public or personal perception of these institutions may be in modern America, one thing remains certain: the library is a central tool in forming and sustaining a community.

More than most things building a library or leaving the funding available to keep one open says that this community is serious about it’s growth and development. That, here in this city, people will be able to learn and share ideas under a common roof provided for the by the institution of government. For free.

This is not so radical an idea today. We browse the internet for literally endless amounts of information that become available instantly. What a tremendous agent of democracy; a global forum, uncensored and for the time being protected from the forces of evil by the citizenry itself. A perfect replacement for the dusty old way. For the library.

Where you live, what you do and how you do it, all are affected by the internet in someway in today’s America. It is an entity, while a library in contrast is a symbol as much as it is a tool. Having one signifies that the government is not only willing to share information with us, but that they are willing to give it to us, that knowledge and information are deemed important and relevant to a society, and that people ought to have the best possible means of access to the information for free in order to participate.

Until cities, municipalities, towns and villages begin providing uncensored, free internet. When it becomes a trend, and not just a splashy headline. When every citizen has access to the internet for free, like walking into a public building. Please don’t stop building or caring for our nations libraries.

Ann Arbor has fantastic public libraries and because of their often over looked roll in community building Ann Arbor Real Estate Watch will be focusing on them briefly over the next week. Stay tuned and don’t forget to like us on Facebook for more updates and interesting Ann Arbor real estate news and info. Δ John Fenton

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Whether you are a health nut or not, successfully employed or a student , everyone love a little variety, especially when it comes to the stomach. Luckily Ann Arbor is full of food shopping variety. From the very freshest to the strangest or most expensive foods these Ann Arbor area grocers are the perfect place to stock up.

Ann Arbor Whole Foods on Washtenaw

Whole Foods
3135 Washtenaw Avenue
990 West Eisenhower Parkway
The organic food superstore Whole Foods is the Thrifty Acres of the healthy food world. It is huge, it really is and ours is small. But inside you will find virtually anything you need from ready made lunch to a variety of wines. The meat, poultry and fish are absolutely among the best in town and not unfairly priced (try the salmon). Besides carrying consumable products Whole Foods also carries supplements and holistic goods for all those aches, pains or health kicks. Arguably the best part of anyone’s Whole Food experience is samples. Free Samples.

The Plum Market
375 North Maple Road
Another great store to consider is The Plum Market, the number one competition to Whole Foods. With a smaller store to manage the staff at Plum Market are often very helpful and always friendly. They carry many organic, natural and specialty items, the deserts are fabulous, the wine selection is abundant and the deli with the specialty cheese is great. Everyone there is very knowledgeable and willing to give you a sample and explain what goes well with items that you may be looking to serve.

The Produce Station
1629 S State St
They offer the best to go salad bar, sandwiches and dinners that are prepared by their chef. They also offer a catering service for dinners and you can order whatever you want for a party. Their wine selection is improving and you can always find a wine connoisseur there to help. Their produce is unlike anywhere else, hands down. During the summer months they offer a wide variety of plants for your gardens.

According to PiperPartners real estate specialist Karolynn Schofield, “owner Craig Schmidt personally drives out at 3:30am to the west side of Michigan to get the best tasting fruits and vegetables.” She adds, “believe it or not, the prices are not that much more, but the flavor and quality cannot be compared to anywhere else. He is all about supporting the local and Michigan.”

The Great Harvest Bread Company
2220 South Main Street
Fresh breads every day, get a slice to taste one or all of them. So healthy and it tastes and smells unbelievable. If you can add the stop, this may be the place to get all your bread needs.

Trader Joe’s
2398 East Stadium Boulevard
Like the rest of the places on this list you’ll find all the health food items and good you could want. What else will you find at Trader Joe’s? Beer, wine, coffee. Not that the others do not have these things, it is merely that Trader Joe’s has among its selection a large variety of cheap ones. Not cheap in the sense that it cost little produce, little to sell and tastes like awful. Cheap in the sense that you may just bought the nest three dollar bottle of wine ever. Their own brand of beers offers something other than the yellowed water downed pilsner of popularity and for regular six pack prices. 

So whether you’re new to Ann Arbor or a long time resident, get out there and check out ALL of the places to buy your food at, one day you might surprise yourself. Δ John Fenton

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