Archived News Release: November 12, 2019 - What is affordable housing? Where should it be located? Why is it needed? How should it be developed? Because affordable housing is a complex topic, answers to these questions can vary depending on who is asked.
The city is beginning a public engagement process to assist in developing a shared understanding and language about affordable housing, and its relationship to jobs, development, growth and planning, by creating a framework for discussing or evaluating these issues. Specifically, issues will be discussed in the context of redevelopment of two key publicly owned sites in downtown Ann Arbor, as part of a larger context of housing and affordability in our city: vacant city-owned lots at 350 S. Fifth Ave. and 415 W. Washington St.
From Thursday, Dec. 5-Monday, Dec. 9, the city will host five, four-hour community discussions regarding the redevelopment of vacant lots at 350 S. Fifth Ave. and 415 W. Washington St. These honest and interactive conversations will be part of a larger context of housing and affordability discussions in Ann Arbor.
All people who live, work and/or spend significant time in Ann Arbor are invited to attend one of the below open-house style sessions. Weekend, day and evening options have been included to expand feedback opportunities from all.
Housing + Affordability: Community Discussion Dates
Thursday, Dec. 5 at the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority, 150 S. 5th Ave., Suite 301, 5-9 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 6 at the Ann Arbor District Library Downtown Branch, third floor freespace, noon-4 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 7 at the Ann Arbor YMCA, Michigan Room, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 8 at Cirq, 210 S. 1st St., noon-4 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 9 at the Ann Arbor District Library Downtown Branch, third floor freespace, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
“These community discussions are intended to encourage candid and open conversations," said Derek Delacourt, City of Ann Arbor community services administrator. “Our goal is the co-creation of solutions and development concepts for these two properties in order to assist City Council in understanding community sentiment regarding reuse of these sites."
Those unable to attend a discussion can share feedback via the project webpage or email questions to Delacourt at [email protected]. Staff will be working to provide more feedback opportunities, including an online survey, in the near future.
# # # # #
