Title
Resolution Authorizing the Downtown Development Authority to Design and Construct an Underground Parking Garage on the City-Owned South Fifth Avenue Parking Lot
Body
Whereas, The Ann Arbor Discovering Downtown (“A2D2”) Parking Strategies Task Force Report demonstrated the immediate need to increase public parking in the Ann Arbor downtown area;
Whereas, The Mayor and City Council adopted Resolution R-260-6-07 on June 18, 2007, to approve the recommendations for Parking Policies and Actions developed by the A2D2 Steering Committee, and directed staff to provide a schedule for implementation of the recommended actions including creating additional public parking;
Whereas, The Mayor and City Council adopted Resolution R-07-517 on November 5, 2007, requesting the Downtown Development Authority (“DDA”) to issue a recommendation to the City Council regarding construction of an underground parking garage on the City-owned parking lot on S. Fifth Avenue between Liberty and William Streets (the “South Fifth Avenue lot”);
Whereas, The DDA prepared a written report, and delivered a presentation to the City Council on January 14, 2008, recommending that the City construct an underground parking garage with at least 500 parking spaces on the South Fifth Avenue lot;
Whereas, The Ann Arbor District Library (“AADL”) is developing plans to renovate and expand its main library branch located immediately to the south of the South Fifth Avenue lot, and its Director, speaking on behalf of the AADL Board of Trustees, has expressed support for construction of an underground parking garage on the South Fifth Avenue lot because it will help draw larger audiences to the main library branch;
Whereas, Construction of an underground parking garage on the South Fifth Avenue lot would provide short-term and long-term parking options to downtown businesses, residents, and visitors in the State Street, Main Street, and center city areas;
Whereas, The land above an underground parki...
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