Ann Arbor Voters Approve Charter Amendments; City and AADL to Begin Formal Agreement Process

On Tuesday, Aug. 5, Ann Arbor voters approved two ballot questions, clearing the way for the City of Ann Arbor and the Ann Arbor District Library (AADL) to begin drafting a formal agreement that will bring to fruition a long-envisioned civic project in the heart of downtown.

With the passage of Proposals A and B, city and AADL staff will immediately return to the planning table to collaboratively draft an agreement that reflects the vision released publicly months ago. That structure, as initially described in a March 3 memo to City Council, remains the basis for what the parties intend to formalize.

“We look forward to settling the details of the transaction framework we shared months ago,” said City Administrator Milton Dohoney Jr. “Now that the voters have approved the purpose of this transfer, it’s the right time to move forward in drafting the agreement for City Council and Library Board consideration.”

The agreement under development will be considered by the Ann Arbor City Council and the AADL Board of Trustees. It is expected to include the following elements:

• The city will sell the Library Lane Parcel air rights to AADL for $1.
• A new downtown District Library will span the Library Lane Parcel and the current library site at 343 S. Fifth Ave.
• The project will include new outdoor public open space, managed by AADL.
• The development will feature a variety of housing types, including artist spaces, condominiums, affordable housing, and market-rate units.
• Multiple event spaces will be created for city and public use.
• Space for small business development will be available at below-market rates.
• AADL will issue a public Request for Proposals and select a development team who will build housing above the new library on both parcels.
• AADL will lead a public engagement process to gather input on project details.
• New housing will add to the city’s property tax base.
• The city will continue to own the parking structure beneath the site until 2032, after which AADL may purchase it depending on various factors at that time

“This is an incredible opportunity for Ann Arbor,” said City of Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor. “The prospect of a state-of-the-art downtown library, vibrant public open space, new housing, and dynamic community gathering areas would be transformative for the downtown. We’re grateful for the voters’ support and look forward to advancing this vision with the AADL along with community engagement.”

“We’re so thankful to the voters of Ann Arbor for this vote of confidence in AADL and its Board,” said AADL Board of Trustees President Molly Kleinman. “We’re so excited to build a landmark new building that will make room not just for all the incredible services and events the library provides, but for more of the people who want to live in this great city.”

“AADL is up to this challenge,” said AADL Director Eli Neiburger. “We look forward to working with the public to develop a design that offers something for everyone. That’s what libraries do best.”

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Media Contacts: 

City of Ann Arbor - Lisa Wondrash, Communications Director, lwondrash@a2gov.org

Ann Arbor District Library - Richard Retyi, AADL Communications and Marketing Manager, retyir@aadl.org