Borders has announced it will liquidate its holdings. The chain's flagship store is nearly 40,000 square feet in Downtown Ann Arbor. While the loss of the cultural icon downtown is tragic, it also represents an unique opportunity for the town to decide what it wants to define its downtown. Should it simply be more retail space or offices for a company? What would you do with that space?
Click on this post to leave a comment with your suggestion or post to the facebook page.
A tech incubator would be great in that space. It's around the corner from established tech companies like Google and Mobiata, and close to the University of Mighigan's accelerator, TechArb. There are plenty of coffee shops and restaurants around that not only make the location attractive, but could benefit from tech employee purchases. An incubator could have a real impact on the local economy, generate jobs, and make a significant contribute to AA's fledgling tech scene.
ReplyDeleteA tech incubator is an intriguing idea. To entertain all realistic possibilities, it would help to confirm that the space is zoned for commercial purposes...?
ReplyDeleteIt's zoned D1 or "downtown core." Most commercial and residential applications are permitted by right with the notable exception of various automotive services which are permitted by special exception. Most industrial uses are forbidden.
ReplyDeleteAnn Arbor Municipal Code Title V, Chapter 55 - Zoning, Article II - Use Regulations, 5:10.19 - D1 and D2 Downtown Districts
Municipal Code can be found here: http://library.municode.com/index.aspx?clientId=11782&stateId=22&stateName=Michigan
Ann Arbor Zoning Maps can be found here: http://www.a2gov.org/government/communityservices/planninganddevelopment/planning/Pages/ZoningMaps.aspx
Maybe a food court, like an indoor Mark's Carts? Something that could exist through winter.
ReplyDeleteI think studio space that artists/artisans/craftspeople could rent, with access to various artsy amenities both digital and non - i.e. large digital printers, screen printing, video production stuff, wood-cutting, metal-working, etc. Not sure about feasibility, but it would be fun!
ReplyDeleteI think the incubator is a great idea... and I would combine that with a coworking space for other small non-funded companies or freelancers.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of coworking space + indoor Mark's Carts... inspiration drawn from Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia: http://www.readingterminalmarket.org/
ReplyDeleteAndy, there's already an open community workshop full of tools like 3D printers, laser cutters, and electronics fabrication right across the street at 525 E. Liberty called All Hands Active and a more arts-focused open co-working group is trying to get into the space where Syvlia's Studio of Dance used to be. Of course, if the city wants to give the workshop the Borders space, we're not going to complain.
ReplyDeleteI can't speak for all 30+ startups in the Tech Brewery, but if parking could be worked out, a lot of us would probably be willing to move.
ReplyDeleteThere's already a vibrant coworking community downtown at Workantile Exchange.
There's the AHAShop hackerspace across the street, as well as A2 Mech Shop on the westside and Maker Works on the southside. And Blue House by the stadium.
There's already the SPUR Studios artist studios run by James Marks both in Ypsi and southside A2.
Personally, I would love to see something like Providence's AS 220 take up the entire block. Ann Arbor needs a cultural life downtown, other than insipid franchise retail. WTF, Ann Arbor.
FREE CULTURE NOW!
Queer & trans bath house
ReplyDeleteHow about if the Ann Arbor District Library main branch moves in there?
ReplyDeleteThis one is easy: a bookstore. Barnes and Noble if we must, Nicola's if we are lucky. I have never heard it claimed that Borders No. 1 was not making money.
ReplyDelete