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Council approves sale of downtown parcels to AATA for east‑side transit center, asks agency to revisit board representation
Summary
Council voted to sell two city parcels to the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority for $75,000 to advance a new east‑side transit center, and amended the agreement to request renewed talks among partner municipalities about increasing local representation on the AATA board.
YPSILANTI — The Ypsilanti City Council approved the sale of two city‑owned parcels to the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (AATA) to enable construction of a redesigned east‑side transit center, and added a non‑binding request that AATA and partner municipalities reopen discussion about board membership.
City staff and AATA representatives presented a conceptual site plan showing a new transit facility with five bus bays (reduced from six but lengthened to accept longer buses), a diagonal bus circulation lane through the former parking area and a public plaza at Pearl and Washington Streets. The staff report said the AATA requires purchase of two pink‑shaded parcels shown on the presentation map to complete construction of the proposed center.
The council discussed parking impacts, noting the lot currently holds roughly 140 spaces and that the new design will retain about 40 public parking spaces in a green area and a small employee lot of about 10 spaces. Jesse Miller, the AATA board representative, and Dana Reed of AATA confirmed the agency negotiated appraisals and secured FTA approval for the purchase price, which was listed at $75,000.
Council members voiced support for transit improvements but also raised equity and governance concerns. During debate the council added an amendment asking that AATA, the city of Ann Arbor and the township reopen talks about AATA board membership to consider increased representation for Ypsilanti residents and the township. Jesse Miller said changing the statutory makeup of the board would require legislative changes and agreement among the appointing municipalities, but urged the council to open the conversation.
The amended sale passed on council voice vote. City staff said the sale is conditioned on approval by the city attorney and noted federal transit funding will be involved in the project.
Why it matters: The site sale is a key step toward construction of an updated transit center intended to improve rider experience and accommodate future higher‑capacity vehicles. Council members sought to balance support for the transit investment with demands for stronger local voice in the agency governing it.
What happens next: AATA and city staff will proceed with purchase‑agreement execution pending attorney review and FTA compliance; staff will monitor design development and community engagement and return to council as appropriate.
Quote: "This will allow us to build a more functional, longer‑bus capable station downtown," AATA staff said during the presentation.
