Title
Resolution to Direct the Exploration of Alternative Uses for GSA Site (200 E. Liberty Street)
Memorandum
This resolution directs the City Administrator to conduct exploratory conversations with the federal government (GSA), to determine if the federal building known colloquially is “the GSA site” at 200 E. Liberty Street would provide greater benefit to the community if it were programmed for different uses, such as for housing, retail, office, public space, or some other use that would encourage more office or commercial uses in the downtown, greater housing density in our urban core, and a more activated street level experience for Ann Arborites and visitors to our downtown.
Staff
Prepared by: John Fournier, Deputy City Administrator
Reviewed by: John Fournier, Deputy City Administrator
Approved by: Milton Dohoney Jr., City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The federal government owns and operates the property at 200 E. Liberty Street (the GSA site) as limited office use for various federal agencies, and as a retail post office location;
Whereas, The current building does not conform with the zoning requirements for downtown buildings;
Whereas, The current building does not provide a sufficient density of office space, nor any housing, nor is it configured in a way to promote a pedestrian activated retail corridor, like much of the rest of downtown; and
Whereas, Changing the configuration and use of the property may support economic development in downtown, promote job density and contribute to the health of our retail sector in the downtown, and potentially move a large and centrally located parcel onto the tax roles providing needed financial support for the city’s general fund functions;
RESOLVED, That the City Council declares that the GSA Site may better serve the interests of the Ann Arbor community if buildings on that site were built to our current zoning standards and activated with a denser footprint of jobs, housing, and public space; and
RESOLVED, That the City Council directs the City Administrator to engage with federal officials to determine interest in future changes to the use of the property.
Sponsored by: Councilmembers Briggs and Disch