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.
Was there an open call for salvaging materials before the demolition? I would have liked to have some of those shingles and siding (if it wasn’t asbestos). Seems like they could have saved money and landfill space if they’d let some of us scavenge materials first.
Erysimum
I had nothing to do with this demolition, but I would never have an “open call for salvaging materials…”. It may seem like my inner attorney talking but demolition can be dangerous as it is. Fighting over parts of a building would only make it worse. I could also see someone trying to haul away something too heavy to carry. Many things could go wrong if you invite just anyone to come and tear at a structure.
On any given construction site everyone working there is supposed to have insurance so that the owner of the property cannot be sued if a worker is injured; the work is inherently dangerous. It is for this reason that contractors may not always be so happy to have visitors to a half-built building. Demolition projects are worse as there is a reason it is being demolished.
That said there are places that salvaged materials are sometimes sent (but you probably know that) like the Recycle Center although things like shingle and siding can be problematic; it takes a lot more effort and time to take them apart so that they can be reused. Contractors typically cannot justify paying people to dismantle a building in that manner even if some material can be salvaged. It is a catch 22, people like you may want to do it yourself but the contractor and / or owner have to be protected if you crush your finger or fall through the floor.
Zingerman’s is usually fairly careful. They may have had one of those contractors who specialize in recovering reusable materials. I have no information, however.