Games

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Cities, Games, Urban Planning

Daniel Hertz, a senior fellow at City Observatory, wrote an article for The Atlantic describing what he learned about urban planning by playing computer games. He cites two specific games about building: SimCity and Cities:Skyline. Zoning, traffic, parking, public transportation, and growth are all challenges to be had in the games. Seemingly, left out are the human aspects: politics, diversity, income driven neighborhoods. These factors contribute to the richness of urban dwelling that the games don’t appear to incorporate.

If you don’t want to plan a city, you may want to try being President. Gene Billingsley, founder of GMT Games, has a board game in development called Mr. President, which will hopefully be available by late fall 2016. “Mr. President is a solitaire game that puts you in the shoes of the President of the United States, attempting to govern, with limited resources, in a complex and ever-changing world.”, according to Billingsley.

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Work-Life Integration

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Business, Commercial Real Estate, Labor force, Startups

Work-life balance is now about work-life integration.

Startups are currently looking for spaces and  buildings where their workers can live and work.  Co-living, or group living, with a small personal space and large communal spaces for living and working.

It’s not a 9 to 5 workday, it’s 24 hour accessibility for hours that work best for work, rest or play.

Both shared and independent office space are in high demand. Freelance workers, independent contractors, and the self-employed are estimated to be 33% of the work force and may grow to 50% by the end of this decade, certainly an opportunity for landlords to be creative.

Source: Buzzfeed

Source: Bizshift-Trends

Photo: Death to the Stock Photo

Ann Arbor Parking Structure Upgrade

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Ann Arbor, Downtown Development Authority, Parking Structures

Ann Arbor’s parking structure at Fourth and William will be upgraded. The Downtown Development Authority approved approximately a $3.7 million contract with Spence Brothers who will be the main contractor. The DDA had approved $5 million for the project in 2014. The planned improvements are to replace stair and elevator tower along William, ground floor lobby area, new parking equipment, improved electrical system and new exterior signage. An additional 200 square feet is planned for each level.

A possible future project that would create a retail incubator space on the structure’s first floor has a projected cost of $2 million.

Source: The Ann Arbor News

Photo: Google Maps

Detroit from Above and Before

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Cities, Detroit, Investment, Planning

In the New York Times Sunday Review, aerial photographer and pilot, Alex S. MacLean, showcases Detroit. Not every photo is flattering but all are interesting. Detroit is rebounding and as with all cities that have rebounded, it takes time.

A fantastic place to see photos from Detroit’s great past is at HistoricDetroit.org, on their website they have photos of “Buildings, Places and Landmarks”.

Looking at what Detroit once was it’s easy to be optimistic that the city can reflect that spirit once again.

Upswing in Apartment and Condo Construction

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Apartment & Condo Construction, Downtown Ann Arbor, Energy Efficientcy, Rental Properties

Real estate sales slow while home values surge reducing affordability for some would-be home buyers. Housing starts rose 6.3 percent with almost all gains coming from apartment construction.

High-end apartment and condo construction is going on in and near downtown Ann Arbor with several projects also in the planning process. The price of land, cost of construction and cost of municipal requirements are driving developers to build and market high-end luxury units.

Up to 50% of housing in Washtenaw County’s urban core is rental property. Landlords of small rentals of one to four unit properties may be able to get special financing for energy efficient retrofit projects. A2energy Loan Fund provides loans of up to $8,000 per property. Funds for the program are limited.

 

Source: New York Times

Source: Detroit Free Press

Source: Ann Arbor City Government

 

Women’s Small Business Month

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Business, Washtenaw County, Women-Owned

The National Women’s Business Council celebrates Women’s Small Business Month in October. As stated on their website “… the NWBC advises the White House, Congress and the Small Business Association on issues relevant to women business owners – with a critical focus on how to alleviate the obstacles faced by both women business owners and women trying to start their own businesses.”

Locally women business owners will be recognized at a networking breakfast on October 24th, 8:00 am at Ypsilanti Sam’s Club. RSVP by Oct 17th.

According to the 2007 Census, women-owned firms in Washtenaw County represented 33.1%.

Crains Detroit Business lists the largest 5 women-owned businesses by revenue in 2013.

Acknowledge and support Women-Owned Businesses this month!

 

 

Plum Market going in Cleary College Building – NE Ann Arbor

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Ann Arbor, Citizen Participation, Northeast Ann Arbor, Traffic Ann Arbor

Plum Market, a natural foods grocery store, purchased the Cleary College Building on Plymouth Road planning to retrofit the building for their second location in Ann Arbor. No other “natural foods” grocery exists in this part of town although there is a Busch’s across the street and Kroger’s a mile away.

There was a citizen participation meeting on September 17th for nearby residences or businesses to ask questions regarding the development. Reinhart Commercial is located in a building adjacent to the proposed Plum Market and commercial agent, Amy Freundl attended the meeting. She asked about traffic patterns and parking.

Plum Market doesn’t anticipate a traffic problem. Adjacent businesses and rush hour commuters may have a different opinion.

Source: Ann Arbor News

Planning Elevation:  Saroki Architecture via Plum Market Meeting Notification

Seeing City Spaces as Opportunities

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Ann Arbor, City Planning, Public Spaces, Washtenaw Ave

ReImagine Washtenaw wants to transform the Washtenaw Avenue Corridor and has a vision and plan to make it possible. They are concentrating on three areas that most need transformation:  Place-Making, Economics and Safety.  Nathan Voght, project manager for ReImagine Washtenaw, describes Places “are where you enjoy being, whether you have to be there or not.” Economics along the Avenue are about creating more jobs as a result of being a place where people want to be. Safety will involve being able to safely cross and walk along the corridor as well as room for bicyclists.

Urban Planner, Amanda Burden, was chief city planner under New York City’s Bloomberg Administration, in her TED talk: How public spaces make cities work, she sees open spaces in cities as opportunities. Good public spaces can enhance commercial investment.

Source: Concentrate Media

Source: TED Talks

 

Rents Rise

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Ann Arbor, Investment Property, rentals, Rents

Due to high demand for rentals in Ann Arbor, tenants are paying more this year and can’t dally in making a decision or the property will be taken.

Reinhart Property Manager, Cathy Petchell says, “There has been high demand for single family rental homes and condos this past Spring/Summer.  This high demand has boosted rental rates higher this year than in the past years. Properties in the best condition, priced competitively haven’t stayed on the open market long and usually had multiple applications. Spring and Summer tend to be the busiest months for rentals with the market slowing down over fall and winter.”

Ann Arbor’s median and average rent for 2013 will be released this month from the Department of Numbers. Vacancy is at an all-time low.

Rents are also rising in other mid-sized cities. Nashville, Tennessee has rentals increases up 18% since 2009 and more than half of households renting in the Nashville metro area are paying more than 30% of their income to rent.

With the rents rising, rentals are seen as a good investment and Mega-Investors are buying up properties in targeted cities with potential for price appreciation.

Source: Ann Arbor News

Source: Wall Street Journal

Source: Realtor Magazine

 

They want your imput! – August 26, 27 and 28

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Ann Arbor, Charette, Development, Site Planning

The Platt Road Site Project Planning Team wants you to get involved. 2270 Platt Road, Ann Arbor, a 13.5 acre site (formerly a juvenile center) will be developed.  A charette, the intensive planning session, to develop a vision for this property, will take place August 26, 27, & 28. Don’t mss this opportunity to be part of the designing and planning. Go to www.plattroad.org for details.