Comments on: Historic Commission: No Approval for Demolition

By: Alan Goldsmith

Alan Goldsmith — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 17:58:50 +0000

Just for the record here, I actually went to the site and walked around the neighbor. In checking out both houses, I think I’ve changed my mind–both look like affordable housing and maybe shouldn’t be torn down. I stand corrected. While I do think the Ann Arbor makes it very hard for small businesses and others to cope with the acid trip logic of complying with city whims and regulations, in this case I agree with the outcome.

Tom, call me!

By: Tom Whitaker

Tom Whitaker — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 01:18:09 +0000

Hi Alan:
Actually, I lived on Third Street, too, just south of Liberty.
I’ll call you.

By: James C. Crawford

James C. Crawford — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 18:29:31 +0000

One of the houses they were considering demolishing was a house where two dear friends of mine were born. A cousin of theirs and his family owned the house until recently. I have always found it comforting when passing the home to know that little part of it’s history. It may just be sentimentality, but I wouldn’t care to see it torn down just to make room for a parking lot. Those two houses have been well kept during their existence and are functional in every way.

However, I wouldn’t mind seeing the old gas station gone. Take it and use the space for access to your “greenhouse”. That is funny. I really don’t see that area as being anything else but a waste of space until someone else builds a large, ugly building there to block the view of those living in the Liberty (fishbowl) Lofts. BTW, Liberty Lofts was built as much on the cheap as possible, so I don’t see it becoming anything but an eyesore in the next few years as it breaks down and deteriorates. Mark my words.

By: Alan Goldsmith

Alan Goldsmith — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 14:15:30 +0000

So you are counting the band house on Second as living in the neighborhood? Lol.

I suppose we could bulldoze the parkland on Seventh and Scio Church for a parking lot but I was hoping that would end up a terminal for some future bullet train. Or a Walmart. Just kidding!

Beer sounds great!

By: Tom Whitaker

Tom Whitaker — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 03:25:15 +0000

Alan:
There was no project, no tenant, no justification. Just speculation. Having lived on the next block, I can tell you this is one of the least gentrified areas on the near west side. These houses and the ones across the street are affordable (far more so than the Liberty Loft condos).
I have a better idea. How about a park and ride lot in the heart of Landsdowne?
Let’s get a beer sometime so I can set you straight about a few things, old friend! ; )

By: Alan Goldsmith

Alan Goldsmith — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 15:33:01 +0000

“She described the Second Street area as the celebration of a working-class neighborhood that was a part of the built fabric of the community.” Let’s celebrate the ‘working-class neighborhood’ in the abstract but the not real ‘working class’ who can’t afford to live in the neighborhood and could have used some of the jobs had this project been given the green light.

By: Bob Dively

Bob Dively — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 02:55:23 +0000

There’s a fairly sizable lot on the SE corner of William and 1st that was used by the Eaton employees.

By: Barbara Annis

Barbara Annis — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 00:12:00 +0000

Thank you again for reporting on this issue. I can’t help wondering where all the people who worked in the factory parked. How many of them were there? I don’t remember there being a problem.

By: Allison Frazier

Allison Frazier — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 22:12:37 +0000

Instead of spending money tearing down houses and gas stations and laying alot of parking lot it would be smarter to simply lower the price of the commercial space and be done with it!!!!
Produce Station does very well with a similiar number of parking spaces.. Something more is going on here… Maybe more lLiberty Lofts!!!

By: KGS

KGS — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 17:53:20 +0000

While Hobbs & Black was the architect for Liberty Lofts, they aren’t the architect for the parking lot – Greg Jones is. Therefore there is no reason for Glusac or Hendrichs to recuse themselves.

Frankly if people had to recuse themselves every time someone they know or did business with came in front of them, we wouldn’t be able to have full boards. Our town is just too small!