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, too, was talking with Brennan, my son, and Sarie, my granddaughter, at Knight’s a couple of days ago. Brennan worked there for a number of years… I walk to Knight’s fairly often.
It’s one of Ann Arbor’s treasures…a good old fashioned corner store. Not many of those left because of “progress”.
In recent years they have also been featuring many locally-made foods. I need to go pick up some Ann Arbor Tortilla Factory tortillas (not available at local supermarkets).
Michael, I hope to meet you there someday. I’m a regular – it’s the closest store to our home, and I’ve developed an addiction to their macadamia nut/white chocolate cookies! And you’re right, Vivienne – they sell food from several locally owned vendors, including Mighty Good Coffee and fresh eggs from a farm in Whitmore Lake (can’t recall the name). I hope to see more local food there, especially produce, in the future.
Vivienne,
I’ve seen A2 Tortilla Factory products at the Kroger on Plymouth and Nixon.
[A2 Tortilla Company] And Produce Station!
They are not at my Kroger on Stadium, and the Produce Station is not a supermarket. I’ve bought them there, too.
I’m very happy to announce that Brennan will be performing during the Water Hill Music Fest Sunday May 1st at 4 pm in the 600 block of Summit. [link] More than 150 other neighbors will be performing also.