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Washtenaw County reported eighty-seven cases of Covid-19, one hospitalization, and one death in the 24 hours ending today at 10 a.m., a moderate decline from last week. The weekly test positivity rate slid to 6 percent, just a bit below the statewide rate of 7.7 percent.
U-M’s regents have approved plans for new dorms on North Campus, the Detroit News reports. The $190 million project will replace the Northwood III townhouses with three new residence halls, more than doubling capacity to 1,200 students. Opening is slated for Fall 2024.
U-M basketball coach Juwan Howard has been suspended for the rest of the season after he took a swipe at a Wisconsin coach last Sunday, the Michigan Daily reports. Howard has also been fined $40,000 and appeared to be contrite in an apology issued Monday evening. The incident made national news and drew unwelcome attention to U-M’s athletic program.
A caged, emaciated dog was found frozen in an Ypsilanti field last Sunday, the Detroit Free Press reports. Investigators described the dog as a young, black pitbull mix with a small white stripe on his chest. The Humane Society of Huron Valley is seeking tips for investigators at 734-661-3512, and offering a $500 reward for information leading to the prosecution of the responsible party.
Construction of a 13-story high-rise began this week on South U, MLive reports. Though geared toward students, fourteen of the 127 apartments will be affordable for those earning up to 80 percent of the area median income. Almost the entire 1100 block was demolished to make room—only the popular student spot Good Time Charley’s remains. After a two-year Covid delay, construction is scheduled to finish July 2024.
The Planning Commission approved new plans for a development in Research Park, MLive reports. Sartorius Bioanalytical Instruments wants to consolidate four existing locations and more than double employment, to 292.
The city is seeking bids for a $1.1 million renovation of the downtown fire station, MLive reports, one of the first under the city’s new best-value contracting process. The proposed renovation would include a secure storage room and processing facility for absentee ballots, as well as space for the city’s fire prevention bureau and fire inspectors. They will move from the former Station 2 on E. Stadium, which is being targeted for affordable housing.
U-M regents hosted their first community feedback session on the presidential search process this week, the Daily reports. While geared toward faculty, the session included input from students and alumni as well. Participants stressed the importance of finding someone with strong morals and a willingness to listen to the community. Others emphasized the need for someone with a firm commitment to the university’s ambitious carbon neutrality goals.
Ypsi is considering a $25 million tax break for a 304-unit affordable housing development, the Eastern Echo reports. Santa Monica-based developer Lincoln Avenue Capital says it needs the relief to keep the 154 family units and 150 senior units affordable—most to people earning 60 percent of the area median income, and 10 percent to people earning 40 percent of the median.
In Dexter, a once-controversial affordable housing project will soon welcome its first tenants, MLive reports. A collaboration between Avalon Housing and Faith in Action, the 24-unit Hilltop View Apartments will serve veterans and families who have struggled with housing insecurity. In 2020, Dexter voters narrowly passed a charter amendment requiring any future sales of public land to be voted upon—but once it was approved, Faith in Action executive director Sheri Montoye said, “People showed up in droves to support the project.”
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