Title
Resolution to Support Center of the City Interim Use and Long Term Planning for the Center of the City/Library Lot Property
Body
Whereas, On November 6, 2018, electors approved Proposal A to amend the City Charter, which, in relevant part, states that City-owned land bounded by Fifth Avenue, and William, Division and Liberty Streets, including Liberty Plaza, the surface of the Library Lane parking structure and Library Lane itself, "shall be retained in public ownership, in perpetuity, and developed as an urban central park and civic center commons known as the 'Center of the City'";
Whereas, On April 1, 2019, City Council approved R-19-135 establishing the Center of the City Task Force requesting that the City Administrator include in his budget proposal the funding adequate to pay for the costs of the Center of the City Task Force public engagement process and that the City Administrator acquire additional support from the Downtown Development Authority as appropriate to the specific elements of the project;
Whereas, On June 3, 2019, City Council approved R-19-263 directing the City Administrator to work collaboratively with the Downtown Development Authority, the Ann Arbor Downtown Library, City staff, the Library Green Conservancy, and the Center of the City Task Force to identify a process for regular scheduling of the Library Lot; development of a public-private partnership with the Library Green Conservancy, and the financial impacts of transitioning the site away from its current primary use for surface parking;
Whereas, On September 23, 2019, the City Administrator provided City Council with a memorandum detailing options for interim steps toward implementation of the Center of the City Charter Amendment with recommendations related to the funding of planning and design, management and maintenance, scheduling and programming, and immediate physical improvements; and
Whereas, City Council authorized the establishment of the Ann Arbor Downtown ...
Click here for full text