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Council sends two library‑lot charter amendments to the ballot, orders election
Summary
By vote March 3, Ann Arbor council approved two charter amendments to let the Ann Arbor District Library acquire and develop the downtown library lot and to repeal the charter's specific land‑use language for the site.
The Ann Arbor City Council voted March 3 to place two charter amendment questions on the ballot that would (1) authorize the sale of 319 South Fifth Avenue to the Ann Arbor District Library and (2) repeal section 1.4 of the city charter that currently specifies a narrow use for that parcel.
Council members described the action as a way to enable a larger mixed‑use redevelopment that would include a new downtown library branch, programming spaces, public open space and mixed‑income housing without new city taxes. Council Member Cornell, who moved DC3, said the plan envisions “a much needed new expanded library, an attractive public open space, mixed use housing, small and local business incubation, all without any new taxes.”
Public comment showed disagreement. Several residents and civic groups, including the Library Green Conservancy and longtime advocates for the 2018 ballot question (“Proposal A”), urged caution and asked that any ballot caption and timing be clear and not mislead voters. Thomas Sweeter, who identified himself as representing a citizens group that previously litigated ballot caption language, said the ballot caption must accurately reflect what voters will be asked and argued voters should know details before they vote.
Votes and procedure
- DC4 (repeal of charter section 1.4) — moved by Council Member Iyer, seconded by Council Member Cornell; roll‑call vote carried (10 yes, 0 no). The council president noted that specifics about proposed uses were omitted from the ballot language to avoid legal objections that ballot language be non‑advocatory; fuller project details will be distributed prior to the election.
- DC3 (authorize sale of 319 South Fifth Avenue to the Ann Arbor District Library) — motion reconsidered and then approved as amended; final vote recorded as carried with 10 council members voting yes.
Why it matters: supporters argued converting the lot into a library‑anchored mixed‑use development would create housing, expand library services and activate downtown; opponents said the 2018 citizen‑led Proposal A and its promise of an open park should be honored or at least clearly explained to voters, and some asked to move a special election to November for higher turnout.
Supporting details and context
Council and several public speakers noted the library lot sits atop an underground parking structure that was not designed as a park, which complicates purely surface‑park proposals. The council packet included a late memo describing negotiation points and possible easements. The council also added a parcel (319 South Fifth Avenue and a related parcel) to the ballot language so any development that relies on existing ramps or easements would be authorized if voters approve.
Ending
Both measures will appear on a future ballot as council directed, with more public information promised before the vote. Council members said they expect further public outreach and additional detail on the library’s proposed approach in the coming weeks.
