This project includes a redevelopment of the current Guy C. Larcom Jr. Municipal Building site at Fifth Avenue/Huron Street. When complete, community members will have a convenient, accessible location for city services, still in the heart of downtown.
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Introduction
After years of debate and exploration regarding the housing of the 15th Judicial District Court and Ann Arbor Police Services, in 2004 City Council was compelled to take action in dealing with this long-standing issue. In February 2006, the County informed the City that its 15th Judicial District Court’s lease at the County Courthouse would not be extended beyond December 31, 2008.
City Council and staff reviewed dozens of possible Court and Police locations in and around the downtown, analyzed a multitude of proposed solutions, formed an independent task force to make a recommendation, listened to and sought out a variety of public input and spent countless hours investigating affordable building alternatives to address the space needs of the court while also creating much needed space for the Ann Arbor Police Services.
Years of public process and input resulted in the recommendation to build the proposed 15th District Court and Police Facility on the east side of the current City Hall located at 100 N. Fifth Ave. The current Larcom building and the new 15th District Court and Police Facility would become the Ann Arbor Municipal Center.
The timeline below aims to explain the many years of consideration, exploration and action that have taken place to resolve this long-standing issue. The frequently asked questions answer a variety of inquiries that have arisen about this project.
Timeline
The detailed timeline below aims to explain the many years of consideration, exploration and action that have taken place to resolve this long-standing issue.
- June 21, 2004: Council approves a professional services agreement with Plante & Moran CRESA, LLC for an operational review and space needs analysis of the 15th Judicial District Court.
- Oct. 11, 2004: Plante & Moran CRESA, LLC issues a space analysis summary for the 15th District Court and Police Services stating that existing facilities are at or beyond capacity.
- Dec. 12, 2004: Council appoints an ad hoc committee to review Plante & Moran space needs analysis.
- August 2005: the City issued a request for proposals for architectural services for a Court/Police facility.
- Dec. 5, 2005: City Council passed a resolution requesting that the County extend the 15th Judicial District Court County Courthouse lease, which expires on Dec. 31, 2008.
- Feb. 1, 2006: the County grants an extension of the 15th Judicial District Court lease until Dec. 31, 2009. Michigan State Law mandates the City of Ann Arbor to fund and house the 15th Judicial District Court.
- Feb. 21, 2006: the City Council formed a Community Security and Public Space Task Force made up of representatives from the Planning Commission, DDA, City Council, 15th District Court, the Ann Arbor District Library, city administration, and two at-large members.
- Nov. 27, 2006: City Council held a public hearing regarding the Community Security and Public Space Task Force’s recommendations.
- On January 8, 2007: City Council approved a resolution directing City Administrator Roger Fraser to proceed with planning and design of a new building on the Larcom lot, the current site of City Hall, to house the 15th District Court and Ann Arbor Police Services.
- May 21, 2007: City Council approved a resolution for a professional services agreement with Quinn Evans/Architects for the planning and design of the 15th District Court-Police Facility.
- June 2007: the project was officially kicked off with a new advisory committee including representatives from city staff, including the police department; City Council; DDA; Quinn Evans/Architects; and the 15th District Court.
- Oct. 22, 2007: Council approved the second phase of the contract with Quinn Evans/Architects to develop a final design and detailed plans for the 15th District Court-Police Facility project.
- Spring 2008: The design development phase will be completed after a series of public meetings to introduce the project and master plan and to gather feedback on the project's vision and phases of the building design. Public input meetings were held on July 24, 2007, Sept. 25, 2007 and April 30, 2008.
- Fall 2008: The construction-bid process to be completed.
- Winter 2009: Construction scheduled to begin and continue for approximately 24 months.
Required new space for 15th Judicial District Court
The project's first phase is to build a new building for the 15th District Court and Ann Arbor Police Department. Currently, the City of Ann Arbor leases space in the Washtenaw County Courthouse for use by the 15th District Court. This lease expires on Dec. 31, 2009, and is not renewable. By law, the city is responsible for housing the 15th District Court, and, thus, City Council and staff have been tasked with finding a new location.
The Supreme Court Administrative Office Standards for Court Facilities and Security can be found at http://courts.michigan.gov/scao/resources/standards/#std.
Facility Second Phase
The second phase will refurbish the basement and first floor of the current Larcom building. The basement will then accomodate new police locker rooms and meeting areas. The first floor will house the Customer Service Center, Planning and Development Services Unit, Community Services Administration and a revised lobby area.
Public Engagement
The project has included multiple public meetings to introduce the project and master plan and to gather feedback on the project's vision and phases of the building design. Meeting dates appeared in the monthly Tree Town Log meeting calendar as well as on this and other pages of the city's Web site.
Persons with disabilities are encouraged to participate in public meetings. Accommodations, including sign language interpreters, may be arranged by contacting the City Clerk’s office at 734.994.2725 or by written request via e-mail to jbeaudry@a2gov.org; or mailed or delivered to the City Clerk’s office, 100 N. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor, MI 48104. Requests need to be received at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting.
Meetings took place on:
Project Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
The frequently asked questions answer a variety of inquiries that have arisen about this project.
last updated: June 12, 2008