It Takes a Village
The Daily bypasses the most anti-student arguments against the new 26-story residence on South U and goes for the most sophisticated one in the anti-density arsenal: more housing would be great, but just not this project. University Village “will turn out to be a high-end apartment complex serving the richer students on campus” that will compromise “the University’s ability to provide an equal and diverse atmosphere in which all of its students can interact.” All right, perhaps the wealthiest students will in fact miss out on the wonderful consciousness-raising opportunity that is the current state of rental housing in A2, but can anyone tell us how putting more housing near Central Campus will create a situation where “students who cannot afford the pricey housing near campus are pushed farther out to the margins of campus to find cheaper rent”?
Wow that is an absolutely absurd argument. The fear of height is driving them to insanity.
Are the rich sharing quarters with the poor as it is now? Outside of some freshmen dorm situations, not so much.
posted by Brian on January 11th, 2008 at 12:39 pmMy goodness! Reduce that “Daily” argument at your leisure. Try not to scream / laugh. Anyone who has dealt with the AA housing situation should write an angry letter to The Daily.
posted by Kevin on January 13th, 2008 at 7:17 am“Can anyone tell us how putting more housing near Central Campus will create a situation where “students who cannot afford the pricey housing near campus are pushed farther out to the margins of campus to find cheaper rent”?”
Maybe they just got the supply and demand lines mixed up in their economic analysis of A2 housing.
posted by Nick on January 13th, 2008 at 5:11 pmIIRC, the city would like to see more diversity in the business culture of the S University student shopping district. There were opinions that the businesses located there did not appeal to a broader demographic and some might not be viable for the long run.
A high rise dorm and greater density in that area is a good idea, but it would only exacerbate the problem (if it is a problem) of the lack of business diversity in that area.
Just think, more barfing students spending their hard earned cash in more fast food restaurants, cd and poster shops, cheap jewelry stores, overpriced Barbie doll clothing stores and cafe’s, sports bars and pin ball palaces.
posted by mucho gusto on January 14th, 2008 at 11:19 amI believe there was some consensus, a few months back, that pinball alleys, as opposed to video arcades, are remembered fondly.
posted by Stella on January 14th, 2008 at 4:19 pmI’ve never been in a pinball dissemination area that remotely resembles a palace. I think though, that I would certainly include one in my dream house were I ever to have such. Not in A2 of course, as I likely couldn’t afford the taxes.
This is the same crappy argument used in an attempt to railroad renovations to the Big House. “It’s going to be a really nice building and rich people will want it”. Maybe what we need is a 30 story low income public housing right on South U to help with the “diversity”. I’m sure that will make everyone happy.
posted by James on January 14th, 2008 at 5:13 pm“There were opinions that the businesses located there did not appeal to a broader demographic and some might not be viable for the long run.”
I.E. the “upscale” demographic, like the rest of downtown Ann Arbor? Someone let the cheap slices and crappy bars live in peace. I don’t think anyone is hurting for business over there.
posted by Brandon on January 14th, 2008 at 8:14 pmThe South U Business OWners’ Association or whatever they are called will beg to differ with you. They are the ones trying to lure non-students to South U.
posted by Clem on January 14th, 2008 at 10:08 pmIf the South U Business Owners are trying to lure non-students, they’re doing a crappy job. I’m on that end of town a couple of days a week and don’t see much change over the last several years, in fact it looks worse for wear to me.
As usual many posters on AAIO miss my point. I like gritty and “divey” places. I like cheap slices and cheaper drinks. I like tall buildings (in their proper scale), but Mucho Gusto also appreciates balance and preservation of what makes A2 unique.
Diversity in the businesses, not the general population, James.
“Pin ball palace” is alliterative where pinball alley doesn’t make sense, there is no pinball in any of the alleys I frequent. Maybe Stella confuses this with “bowling alley”.
I’ve heard all the arguments for and against more or less student housing, taller buildings and density vs no growth, let it be and let it grow, but this issue grows weary on AAIO. Bring on the next dead horse to beat.
Who cares what the Daily readers and writers think, they’re irrelevant short timers.
posted by mucho gusto on January 15th, 2008 at 9:41 amIt’s weird how the people who like dive bars and sketchy convenience stores are also often the ones who like pristine neighborhoods.
posted by ann arbor is overrated on January 15th, 2008 at 11:17 amOk, for that catty comment, I’m not going to put out my trash can for one week. And let my recyclables overflow their containers.
posted by mucho gusto on January 15th, 2008 at 11:54 am“Diversity in the businesses, not the general population, James.”
No, that’s not what the daily article was arguing.
posted by James on January 15th, 2008 at 1:17 pmre: “balance and preservation of what makes Ann Arbor unique”:
…so.. uh… how is Ann Arbor unique? I don’t get it. To be clear, it’s not the worst place I’ve ever lived, but it’s nothing special. Not much history except for UM-related history. There isn’t much culture to claim as its own (a little here and there, but it’s mostly a transient population, which preserves little culture of its own). Stuff to do? Haven’t found much that’s all that different from anywhere else. Some places (like the Michigan Theater) are nice, but not “unique”. Food is generally overpriced and so-so.
posted by ex-suburbanite on January 15th, 2008 at 5:38 pmIt’s uniquely overrated, of course. Where do you think you are? Madrid?
posted by Nitro on January 16th, 2008 at 11:15 am