Brown Recommended for N. Main Group
At its May 23, 2012 meeting, the Ann Arbor public art commission (AAPAC) unanimously recommended that Connie Rizzolo Brown be nominated for a position on a task force to study the corridor along North Main Street and the Huron River. That recommendation will be forwarded to mayor John Hieftje.
The task force was established by the city council at its May 7, 2012 meeting, with membership to include the following: one member of the park advisory commission, one member of the planning commission, one resident representing the Water Hill neighborhood, one resident representing the North Central neighborhood, one resident from the Old Fourth Ward, one resident representing the Broadway/Pontiac neighborhood, two business and property owners from the affected area, and one member of the Huron River Watershed Council.
At its May 21 meeting, the two sponsors of the resolution that created the task force – Ward 1 councilmembers Sabra Briere and Sandi Smith – proposed adding three additional representatives: a member of the city council, someone from the boating/fishing community of river users, a representative from the Huron River Citizens Association. Tony Derezinski (Ward 2), who also serves on AAPAC, then proposed an amendment to add an AAPAC member to the task force. The AAPAC addition was passed by council on a 6-5 vote. [See Chronicle coverage: "Positions Added to North Main Task Force"] Appointments are expected to be made at the council’s June 4 meeting.
At AAPAC’s May 23 meeting, Derezinski told commissioners that “basically, we need someone at the table.”
The task force is charged with delivering a report to the city council more than a year from now – by July 31, 2013 – that describes “a vision to create/complete/enhance pedestrian and bike connection from downtown to Bandemer and Huron River Drive, increase public access to the river-side amenities of existing parks in the North Main-Huron River corridor, ease traffic congestion at Main and Depot at certain times of a day and recommend use of MichCon property at Broadway; …”
Earlier than that – by the end of 2012 – the task force is to make recommendations on the use of the city-owned 721 N. Main parcel.
Brown has served on AAPAC since early 2009, and has chaired the commission’s projects committee. She is a principal of Rizzolo Brown Studio, an Ann Arbor architecture firm.
This brief was filed from the basement conference room of city hall at 301 E. Huron, where AAPAC held its meeting. A more detailed report will follow.
All piped in music at that Kroger is dreadful. Silence would be lovely.
Can’t wait for this latest redo of Kroger to be completed. It is a real task to shop there. I have taken my business elsewhere.
Yes indeed, the best solution for Kroger problems is to NOT SHOP AT KROGER. Several years ago I switched from Kroger to Country Market and never looked back.
I will defend Kroger, I shop there every week. However, I pretty much ignore the music they play and am not aware of it. If I am with my wife, our conversation blocks it out and if I am alone my ipod blocks it out.
The music is the best thing about the store. I heard the Velvet Underground’s ‘All Tomorrow’s Parties’ last week. The comments here make this sound like the surreal music is a BAD thing. Lol.
Ann Arbor…!
I stopped shopping at Kroger two years ago after making a New Year resolution to shop local; I get 90% of my groceries at Arbor Farms now. Arbor has fair prices on lots of local items, a clean store, and a friendly staff (they actually remember my name and say “hello” when I come in!). Those were all important things that I felt were continually lacking from Kroger.
Amy-
I shop at Arbor Farms as well and hit Kroger maybe once a month for items AF doesn’t carry. But I don’t even recall if AF has background music.
Kroger has Mr. T!
Kroger was part of my rotation from Fresh Seasons to Arbor Farms to Kroger. Now I still start at Arbor Farms. Kroger is a good place to buy laundry detergent and other sundries and some staples. While I’m there I’ll pick up lunch meat (fresh cut) and whatever canned goods, etc. that are on my list.
Westgate Kroger’s Mr. “T” is actually known as “G”!
The People’s Food Co-op is also known for surprising and fun music. And mostly for the last many years the volume is rarely too loud. Arbor Farms and the People’s Food Co-op are both great local businesses to support!
Yeah, Mr. T or G as some call him. He is one of the best local workers I have ever seen.
If you need a big grocery, Busch’s is somewhat more local than Kroger (being based in Michigan) – and they support Food Gatherers, and many other local events.
And every now and then you’ll hear U2′s “Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” (which always makes me laugh – not the right music to encourage confidence in a store!)
I agree with Rici. Buschs is a small (about 15 stores), local (based in Ann Arbor) chain that stocks and promotes Michgian products and gives back to the local community. Their production facilities are also in Michigan. Kroger is the second-largest grocery chain in the country (behind Walmart) with almost 2500 stores and is based in Cincinnati. Buschs is definitely the choice if you are interested in supporting local companies. Meijers is also a Michigan-based company if you need items that smaller groceries do not carry.