Title
Resolution to Authorize the City Administrator to Negotiate with the Ann Arbor District Library for the Sale of Air Rights at Library Lane Conditioned on Voter Approval of Charter Amendments
Memorandum
The attached resolution details the City Administrator's expectations of a transaction between the Ann Arbor District Library (AADL) and the City of Ann Arbor, should voters agree to change the City Charter at the August 5, 2025 special election. A change to City Charter, if approved, would authorize sale of the air rights at Library Lane.
The actual transaction would be captured in one or more agreements between the parties that will be prepared if the voters agree to change the City Charter. The agreements would need to be approved by City Council and the Ann Arbor District Library Board.
AADL needs a new main facility. The current facility is inadequate to meet their current and future needs.
The current use of the Library Lane parcel is primarily as a parking deck with underground capacity. The parking deck carries bond debt and will remain under City of Ann Arbor ownership at least until the bonds are retired (currently scheduled for 2035).
If the proposed Charter amendments are approved in August 2025, the City proposes to sell the air rights over the Library Lane parcel to AADL for the sum of $1. AADL proposes to construct a building above the parking deck on the Library Lane parcel as an addition to the project on their current site working through the City's existing zoning and planning processes.
AADL's vision is for both buildings to connect on the second floor. The building on the Library Lane parcel would include some library operations plus, at the City's request, a mixture of housing units including units aimed at the arts community. The housing mix also is proposed to include some market rate units, including condos, and some affordable units. AADL would also design and program approximately 10,000 square feet of outdoor public spa...
Click here for full text