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.
I hope they do better than than American Spoon did.
Years ago, I think Saturday Night Live had a spoof on a scotch tape store. Actually, I wouldn’t mind a vacuum cleaner bag & belt/every possible kind of battery store.
I guess that’s sort of what the internet is. I ordered a cell phone charger for my old out of production cell phone from some outfit in Hong Kong. I was only charged $2, but shipping was $20, so I ordered one for the house, office, and travel bag.
“Scotch Boutique!”
I’m so pleased to hear that Cherry Republic is coming to Ann Arbor. I’ve known this business for years in GLEN Arbor (up north, in Leelanau County). Their many Michigan cherry products are out of this world. Their cherry pie is the best pie I have ever tasted. It is going to be dangerous for me to have more frequent access to that pie!
CR was started by Bob Sutherland, an Ari-like guy, who had a vision of a socially-responsible store, specializing in products made from local cherries, as a way to help preserve cherry orchards. The business has grown and includes wine, candy, and cherry-themed clothing. They buy many tons of local cherries yearly, donate to land-preservation causes, and generally create a positive, fun place to eat and enjoy one of our state’s premier products. Welcome to A2, Cherry Republic.
Cherry Republic is a great Michigan success story and the owners give back to the community in spades. The comparison to Zingerman’s is a good one.
I’m personally familiar with Cherry Republic’s support of Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear, a non-profit organization that I volunteer for. PHSB partners with Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore to preserve, restore, and interpret the cultural resources within the park. Last summer, volunteers completed the restoration of the porch of the Katie Shepherd Hotel on North Manitou Island, thanks in large part to a donation for materials from Cherry Republic.
And yes, their products are delicious. Welcome to Ann Arbor!