The News…briefly
A quiet subdivision that time forgot is the latest battlefield over the city’s growth. Valhalla Drive’s seven homeowners reached an agreement with PEFT Development LLC in 2018. The next year, the company unveiled its plan for a 454-unit, $100 million apartment complex. Because of the site’s remoteness, it hardly caused a stir until now. The Observer’s Julie Halpert has our story.
City council unanimously approved the site plan and development agreement for a three-story apartment building on S. Main St. that will provide six six-bedroom student apartments. The building will include sustainable features like rooftop solar and EV charging stations. Mlive
Theft of catalytic converters, used to clean automobile exhaust of pollutants, jumped 76 percent in Ann Arbor last year. The precious metals they contain make them both expensive and highly sought after; replacement can cost more than $5,000. Tighter emission standards in China are driving black-market demand. The Observer’s Micheline Maynard has our story.
The Downtown Development Authority wants your input on upcoming road and infrastructure projects including improvements to State St. and a bikeway on Division from Packard to Catherine. Click here to complete the survey; see the new projects page of the People-Friendly Streets, featuring Zoom workshops between March 9–11.
The Island Drive bridge over Traver Creek is closed for repairs through April 30. Work includes replacing barrier railings, repairing cast-in-place concrete channel lining, installing two storm sewer inlets, and more. Click on Detroit
Two companies are expanding in Ann Arbor. Energy storage provider Navitas Systems will recruit 111 positions for a new facility in Scio Township. Mortgage lender Homepoint will add 155 area jobs. Funding for the projects is supported with $7.1 million from the Michigan Strategic Fund. Click On Detroit
Foul play is suspected in the death of 41-year-old Luis Geovanny Rivera-Estrada, who was discovered in a burning vehicle on Clark and Leforge roads in Superior Township on Friday. Anyone with information related to this incident please contact Detective Mike Babycz at babyczm@washtenaw.org or submit a tip anonymously to (734) 973-7711.
National survey of college students found record levels of depression last semester. U-M’s Healthy Minds Study is an annual web-based survey looking at mental health and service utilization among college students. University Record
The U-M men’s basketball team lost spectacularly to Illinois last night, putting its second-place ranking in doubt as they face unranked MSU tonight. Click On Detroit. U-M’s women’s basketball, currently ranked twelfth, faces eighth-place Maryland today.
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