Ann Arbor Takes Steps Toward a More Walkable Neighborhood

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Ann Arbor real estate developer, Oxford Companies, plans to build a new apartment building on Ann Arbor’s south side. The space is currently used as parking for its main office. No timeline has been set for construction. The development endeavors to create a more walkable and livable neighborhood. The 226-acre area may potentially be rezoned to allow new buildings up to 300 feet which will develop a high-density and mixed-use area to create a downtown environment. The proposal would require the rezoning of 69 properties, including those around Briarwood Mall.

 

 

Washtenaw Conservationists Purchase Acreage

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The Michigan Land Conservancy purchased 162 acres of wetlands, forest and former cropland for $1 million. The acreage is located east of Ann Arbor in Superior Township. This is a second purchase toward preservation efforts in Superior Township. Previously, Superior Township leaders voted unanimously to buy 300 acres known as the “Rock property.” The newly-purchased Michigan Land Conservancy parcel is next door to that property and the township-owned Cherry Hill Nature Preserve. The speedy transaction was financed through private loans and donations, including a loan and donation from Detroit Audubon.

 

 

 

Residential Sale Prices Continue Upward Trend

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Prospective buyers in Michigan’s housing market placed higher bids in 2021. A lack of inventory caused a 13.8% increase in residential sale prices in 2021 compared to the same period in 2020. There was a 3% increase in total sales. Branch County, Detroit, Bay County, Sanilac County and Mason, Oceana and Manistee counties reported higher than 20% increases in housing prices. Gratiot, Isabella, St. Joseph, Greater Shiawassee and Hillsdale counties reported less than 7% housing price increases. Antrim, Charlevoix and Kalkaska were the only to counties to report a decrease in home prices (-0.7%).

 

Home Sales Predicted to Continue Surging in December

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According to RE/MAX of Southeastern Michigan and the Home Builders Association of Southeastern Michigan, November was a robust month for home sales and new home starts. December promises even stronger home sales than last year’s figures. New single-family home permits were above 300 in Macomb, Oakland, St. Clair and Wayne counties for 18 months running. Even with the supply chain issues, new-home permits helped to make the year successful. However, no new multifamily permits were issued in November. The number of pending sales in November indicates that December will be a good month.

 

 

City of Novi Purchases Land for Conservation Efforts

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The city of Novi is purchasing 8 acres of vacant property with the aim to preserve woodlands and make improvements on Beck Road. According to City Manager Pete Auger, the city will continue to purchase property to maintain wetlands and woodlands using tree fund dollars. However, the $249,000 purchase of the two parcels on Edinborough Lane will come from the general fund. A public meeting regarding Beck Road is expected to take place in January. The road has capacity issues, and improvements have been discussed for years.

 

Adrian Mall Proposal Includes Mixed-Use Redevelopment

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An Adrian Mall proposal aims to redesign the mall into a mixed-use facility that will include multifamily residential housing, anchor business tenants, and different options for retail and dining establishments. A church and self-storage units are also planned. The Adrian Planning Commission hasn’t voted on the proposal yet, but they’ve entered into discussion about the pre-application presentation. Some commissioners expressed optimism toward the presented ideas. An important part of the project is to demolish the water-damaged and mold-laden portion of the mall. Both conditions caused the mall to be condemned two years ago.

 

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Ann Arbor’s Plans for Blighted Site Take Shape

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Ann Arbor’s plans for the transformation of a blighted site across from the YMCA are in the works. The SmithGroup presented new drawings to the Planning Commission that show how the Treeline urban trail for pedestrians and cyclists could run through the east side of the site along the railroad tracks. They include a new housing building and courtyard on the west side of the site that would provide a mix of affordable and market-rate housing. The city is trying address many different public interests with this site. The site plans have been changed multiple times. The newest drawings are still not the plan’s final draft.

 

 

Ford Land CEO Says Goodbye

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Dave Dubensky, the CEO of Ford Land and the man responsible for the Michigan Central Station deal, is ending his five year tenure.  He pushed for change and implemented a plan to transform company property in Michigan, throughout the U.S. and around the world. Ford Land manages a total of 240 million square feet of real estate. According to Dubensky, Ford Land focused on modernizing and elevating experiences for global employees that walk through the door of any Ford building in an effort to retain and attract talent.

 

 

Children’s Health Center Construction Underway in Flint

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The Genessee Community Health Center, will be completed by next September. The Genesee Community Health Center will house all the children’s services programs of the Genesee Health System. It will be located on a parcel of land on the outskirts of downtown Flint. The center will encompass 60,000-square-feet and cost $22 million. The cost is covered through private and public funding, including grants and new-market tax credits.  Genesee Health System is a provider for Genessee County adults with serious mental illness or substance abuse disorders, as well a children with developmental disabilities.

The Housing Market May Be Calming Down

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Experts say the housing market is may be approaching normalcy for 2022. Home prices should continue to rise, but the pace of the increase will be slower than the last two years. Buyers will continue to outnumber sellers which means home inventory will remain low.  Jeannette Schneider, president of RE/MAX of Southeastern Michigan predicts that home values will increase 8-10 percent in 2022. Other experts say models suggest that in October 2022, prices will be 12.8 percent higher than the the year before. The going will continue to be rough for first time home owners.