Stories indexed with the term ‘Ruth’s Chris Steak House’

Council Acts on Liquor for Downtown, Art Fairs

Two items related to serving alcohol received action at the Ann Arbor city council’s July 7, 2014 meeting.

First, the council passed a resolution that will allow several downtown businesses to serve alcohol outdoors during the Ann Arbor art fairs, to be held July 16-19 this year:

  • Knight’s Restaurant (600 E. Liberty St.)
  • Michigan Theater (603 E. Liberty St.)
  • Neopapalis (500 E. William St.)
  • Cottage Inn (508-512 E. William St.)
  • New York Pizza Depot (605 E. William St.)
  • Ashley’s Restaurant (338 S. State St.)
  • Red Hawk Bar & Grill (316 S. State St.)
  • Pizza House (618 Church)

The second alcohol-related item approved by the council on July 7 was a recommendation for a downtown development liquor license for Ruth’s Chris Steak House. The council approved the site plan for … [Full Story]

Ruth’s Chris Site Plan OK’d

The site plan for a new Ruth’s Chris Steak House on Fourth Avenue in downtown Ann Arbor has received approval from the city council. Action came at the council’s June 2, 2014 meeting. The city’s planning commission recommended approval at its April 1, 2014 meeting.

 Ruth's Chris Steak House, Ann Arbor planning commission, The Ann Arbor Chronicle

Proposed facade of Ruth’s Chris Steak House at 314 S. Fourth Ave.

The site plan calls for renovating the single-story building at 314 S. Fourth Ave. and putting up a 1,943-square-foot second-floor mezzanine addition over the front part … [Full Story]

Planning Agenda: Art, Eats, Drive-Thrus

Ann Arbor planning commission meeting (April 1, 2014): Ordinance revisions, site plan approval and a look at proposed artwork for the East Stadium bridge filled the planning commission’s first meeting in April.

Catherine Widgery, Ann Arbor public art commission, Ann Arbor planning commission, The Ann Arbor Chronicle

An image by artist Catherine Widgery for artwork on the East Stadium bridge. This night view shows how the structures would be lit from below, illuminating the images of trees that are etched into louvered glass panels.

John Kotarski and Bob Miller of the city’s public art commission presented images of a revised design for public art on the East Stadium bridge, a $400,000 project that includes columns of louvered glass panels on the bridge as well as underneath it, along South State Street. The artist – Catherine Widgery, who’s based in Massachusetts – had changed her original proposal at the request of a selection committee. The public art commission is seeking feedback on this new design, including at a public forum on Monday, April 21 at the downtown Ann Arbor District Library.

The public art commission likely will vote on a recommendation at its April 23 meeting. The proposal would then be forwarded to the city council for approval.

Also heading to city council is the site plan for a new Ruth’s Chris Steak House, which planning commissioners voted to recommend on April 1. The plan involves major renovations to the existing building at 314 S. Fourth Ave., which most recently housed the Dream Nite Club that closed in 2012. The renovations include adding a second-floor mezzanine level to the front of the building.

Part of the planning commission’s discussion focused on whether there might be outdoor dining in front of the restaurant. The project’s architect, Stephen Fry, indicated that at this point, outdoor seating wouldn’t be appropriate, in part because of bus traffic. The building is located near the Blake Transit Center, a hub for public transportation. “Ruth’s Chris is about a known and consistent dining experience,” Fry said, “and we just don’t feel we can control it out there.”

Fry also reported that the restaurant will likely be using valet parking, with valets positioned in front of the building. “So we’re going to activate the street with humans that are dressed up and looking good,” he said.

Commissioners also reviewed proposed ordinance revisions related to drive-thrus, and recommended that the city council approve the changes. The amendments would add a definition of a “drive-thru facility” to Chapter 55 of the city code. Currently, the term used throughout the code is “drive-in,” which is not explicitly defined in the code.

In addition, the changes would require that drive-thru projects obtain a special exception use from the planning commission, and would be allowed only in the O (office), C2B (business service) and C3 (fringe commercial) zoning districts. Basic layout requirements would also be added to the ordinance. Currently, drive-thrus are allowed in C3 districts without a special exception use. They are allowed as special exception uses in the C2B district.

The changes will give planning commissioners more discretion in approving drive-thru businesses, including restaurants, banks, pharmacies and other types of drive-thrus. [Full Story]

Ruth’s Chris Restaurant Moves to Council

The Ann Arbor planning commission has recommended approval of the site plan for Ruth’s Chris Steak House. The action took place at the commission’s April 1, 2014 meeting.

 Ruth's Chris Steak House, Ann Arbor planning commission, The Ann Arbor Chronicle

Proposed facade of Ruth’s Chris Steak House at 314 S. Fourth Ave.

The site plan calls for renovating the single-story building at 314 S. Fourth Ave. and putting up a 1,943-square-foot second-floor mezzanine addition over the front part of the existing building. The current structure is 8,024 square feet, and most recently housed the Dream Nite Club, … [Full Story]