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The county’s Covid-19 snapshot reports 2,093 cases in the two weeks ending yesterday, making a weekly case rate of 386.3 per 100,000 residents, still high but down a bit from last week’s 426.6. The test positivity rate is 14.7 percent, just a tick down from a week ago, and the county continues to be in the “high” CDC risk level.
An input session for improvements to a dangerous M-14 bridge interchange happens next Wednesday, MLive reports. When it opened in the 1960s, planners assumed the cramped eastbound access to Barton Dr. would soon be replaced by a nearby interchange serving a planned ring road around town, David Swain reported for the Observer in 2015. Its miniscule on- and off-ramps have been the site of countless crashes ever since.
A proposed development of townhomes on Platt Rd. would see over 200 trees cut down, MLive reports. Though a luxury development in the northwest part of town recently sparked protests over tree removal, no such organized opposition appears to be present for the project on Platt. According to plans submitted by the Auburn Hills-based developer, the proposed apartments would be 1,500 square feet and be priced at market rates.
Washtenaw County homebuyers are finding themselves struggling in a red-hot housing market, MLive reports (subscriber exclusive). The number of homes for sale reached a 14-year low in April, and with median prices cresting $400,000, potential buyers are engaging in bidding wars or being priced out of the area.
A lawsuit alleging the city illegally collected millions in stormwater fees is moving forward, MLive reports (subscriber exclusive). The proposed class-action suit claims Ann Arbor’s fees based on a property’s impervious land surface amount to an unauthorized tax. Filed by the same firm that previously challenged the city’s water and sewer fees, the suit asks the court to declare the stormwater fees illegal, and order the money collected in the year prior to the suit being filed to be refunded.
A Washtenaw County couple is suing the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office and Ypsilanti Police Department for unjustified use of force, MLive reports. The couple face multiple felony charges stemming from a 2020 police altercation, including counts of resisting and obstructing an officer, and causing injury to an officer. The couple now claim that the police violated their constitutional rights through unreasonable search and seizure and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Ann Arbor and Ypsi earned gold status in the Michigan Green Communities Challenge, MLive reports. MGC awards rankings of bronze, silver, and gold according to a communities progress towards sustainability; Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti are among 22 city governments in Michigan to receive gold for outstanding efforts in sustainability.
The second annual A2Zero Week begins this Sunday. The Office of Sustainability and Innovations will run educational activities, events, and other festivities centered on sustainability June 5–11, ranging from rides in electric vehicles to “waste audits” at local parks. A “Zero Waste Challenge” features prizes from local businesses.
SolarYpsi is offering $2,000 rebates to Ypsilanti residents who adopt solar power, MLive reports. An $80,000 donation from Grace Sweeney provides for up to 40 rebates — enough to significantly increase the amount of the city’s solar installations from the current 84. The year-long offer begins on June 1.
Independent Film Festival Ypsilanti runs June 2–4, Concentrate reports. The festival’s third year – and its first indoors and fully in-person – will feature three days of screenings at the Riverside Arts Center, showcasing local creators and filmmakers from across the world.
The Riverside Arts Center now officially owns the building it has occupied for 25 years, MLive reports. After renting the space for a quarter of a century, the center purchased it through a rent-to-own agreement. Riverside now hopes to renovate and expand the building to include classrooms and additional spaces for artists to rent.
Taste of Ann Arbor returns this Sunday, the first time in-person since 2019. Two dozen local restaurants will set up along Main St. between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. offering food and drink priced between $1 and $6. Live music will be provided by performers involved with Sonic Lunch.
The inaugural A2 Summer Streets starts today, MLive reports. The new festival will feature music from 7-9 p.m. on Thursdays at stages throughout downtown, free events such as yoga on Friday and Saturday mornings, and music and brunch specials at downtown restaurants on Sunday. Summer Streets will continue through Aug. 28.
This Saturday is the 25th annual African American Downtown Festival. This year’s lineup includes musical performances in a variety of genres, dance shows, a magic show, and kids’ activities like face painting and balloon twisting.
U-M’s peony garden is being renamed for the man who originally gifted the peonies that started it 100 years ago, the university announced. Dr. W.E. Upjohn’s descendants donated $2 million to U-M to rename the garden, whose centenary is being celebrated Saturday afternoon, when the flowers will likely be in full bloom.
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