Title
Resolution to Vacate a Portion of the South University Avenue Public Right-of-Way (525 S. State St.) (CPC Recommendation: Approval - 8 Yeas, 0 Nays; 8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
The University of Michigan has initiated a petition to vacate a 26.5 foot-wide strip of South University Avenue from South State Street to East University Avenue, near 525 South State Street. The public right-of-way in this area is unusually wide (100 feet) and this reduction will bring the right-of-way into alignment with the existing City infrastructure, including sidewalks and utilities, while leaving room for future transportation improvements.
Staff reviewed the request and recommended approval. On March 17, 2026, the Planning Commission held a public hearing and voted unanimously to approve the proposed vacation.
The University provided evidence of notice to the private utility and telecommunication companies. These companies noted that there are no utilities located in the area to be vacated.
Staff recommend approval of this right-of-way vacation because all parcels adjacent to it are owned by the University, the vacation will have no impact on vehicular or pedestrian access, and there are no public or private utilities in the area to be vacated. The vacation aligns ownership with the current infrastructure and use of the public right-of-way.
Staff
Prepared by: Emma Berger, City Planner
Jill Thacher, City Planner
Brett Lenart, Planning Manager
Reviewed by: Jordan Roberts, Public Services Administrator
Derek Delacourt, Community Services Area Administrator
Christopher Frost, Senior Assistant City Attorney
Approved by: Milton Dohoney Jr, City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The South University Avenue public right-of-way between South State Street and East University Avenue is 100 feet wide;
Whereas, The University of Michigan has initiated a petition for vacation of the northern 26.5 feet of said public right-of-way;
Whereas, The vacation will not impact the City’s public vehicular or pedestrian transportation network or utilities;
Whereas, On March 17, 2026, the Planning Commission held a public hearing and voted unanimously to recommend that City Council approve the vacation; and
Whereas, On October 19, 2026, City Council held a public hearing on the vacation;
RESOLVED, That City Council hereby vacates all rights in the northern 26.5 feet of public right-of-way commonly known as South University Avenue from the east line of South State Street to west line of East University Avenue (vacated), more specifically described as:
A part of South University Avenue lying South of and adjacent to University Square, between South State Street and East University Avenue (vacated), according to the Plat of “Alteration of the Ann Arbor Land Company’s Addition to the Village of Ann Arbor” as recorded in Liber U, Page 252 described as: Commencing at the Southwest corner of said University Square; thence doing the North line of South University Avenue and the South line of University Square North 88*36’31” East 46.65 feet to the POINT OF BEGINNING, thence continuing North 88*36’31” East in the same course 1139.16 feet to the East line of University Square and the West line of East University Avenue (vacated); thence along said East line and said West line South 01*39’50” East 26.50 feet; thence South 88*36’31” West, parallel with the North line of South University Avenue, 1139.28 feet; thence North 01*25’07” West 26.52 feet to the POINT OF BEGINNING, containing 0.693 acres of land, more or less
RESOLVED, That an appropriate instrument evidencing this vacation and approved by the City Attorney be recorded at the Washtenaw County Register of Deeds as soon as practicable following approval of this resolution.