Dharma's Council Newsletter, March 1, 2026

Neighbors,

City Council meets Monday, March 2nd at 7 p.m.

Before I get to a run-down of the agenda, here are a few items for you to know about.

2026 Electronics Drop Off Opportunities 

The City’s Office of Sustainability and Innovations is hosting multiple electronics recycling opportunities throughout 2026. The first collection runs March 9th to 24th at City Hall during regular business hours, with a secure drop off receptacle for small household electronics. Additional drop off events will be held in April, June, August, October, and again at City Hall in December and early January. For accepted items, event details, and registration information, visit a2gov.org/electronics.

North Main Street Transportation Study Wants Your Feedback

The North Main Street Transportation Study will explore design concepts to improve safety, connectivity, and comfort for everyone who travels along the corridor. Your input will inform potential future design solutions that reflect community priorities and Vision Zero Objectives.

Take the survey and plan to attend public feedback sessions. Information, survey, and schedule are on the City's Engage site.

Ann Arbor's Newest Affordable Housing Is Open

Funded through the Affordable Housing millage, the Ann Arbor Housing Commission’s Dunbar Tower is now open, bringing 63 permanently affordable homes to downtown Kerrytown. Residents began moving in February, and additional households are arriving over the next few months.

Half of the apartments are set aside for people experiencing homelessness, with rents capped at 30% of income through project based vouchers and supportive services provided onsite by Avalon Housing. The other half are reserved for artists and creatives with incomes up to 60% of area median income.

Located at Fourth and Catherine, Dunbar Tower includes community space, health clinic space, and energy efficient systems including geothermal heating and cooling. The project also honors the neighborhood’s Black history, with plans for a future cultural space inside the building. Learn more >>.

City Seeks Input on Outdoor Warning Sirens

The City of Ann Arbor is asking for community feedback on whether to retire its 22 outdoor warning sirens. The system is aging and would require about $60,000 per year in repairs over the next three years, followed by ongoing maintenance costs.

In the past five years, they have been activated twice. Today, the City also uses Wireless Emergency Alerts sent directly to cell phones and A2 Emergency Alerts, an opt in system that provides text, email, or phone notifications with clearer instructions and more precise geographic targeting. Community feedback will be collected through March, and staff will bring a recommendation to Council afterward. You can learn more and take the survey at engage.a2gov.org/siren-review. Now is a good time to remind you to sign up for Emergency Alerts if you're not already. These alerts provide timely information on all area emergency alerts, from traffic crashes to boil water advisories

City Council Meeting, Monday, March 2nd at 7 p.m.

• Meeting Agenda

• Responses to Council Member Questions

Agenda Highlights

CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS

• South Maple Park and Dexter Park Improvements Project with Brencal Contractors (CA-5). Council will vote on a $1.71 million construction contract to move forward with planned improvements at South Maple Park and Dexter Park, funded through the Park Maintenance and Capital Improvement Millage.  At South Maple Park, the project includes new pickleball and tennis courts, improved sidewalks, and an expanded parking area to better support park use and accessibility. At Dexter Park, improvements include a new basketball court, a pavilion, seating areas with accessible grills, and new sidewalk connections to make the park more usable and inclusive. City Council created Dexter Park last year to provided needed community play space in this part of town.

• Packard Street City-State Agreement (CA-12). City Council will vote on a cost sharing agreement with MDOT to move forward with the Packard Street Improvements Project, covering Packard from South Main to State. Approval is required for the project to receive federal Surface Transportation Program funding. The project includes full pavement replacement, installation of a new 12 inch water main, ADA sidewalk ramp upgrades, intersection improvements, audible pedestrian signals, bump outs, and permanent buffered bike lanes. The corridor speed limit has already been reduced to 25 mph. Planned changes are designed to improve safety for people walking and biking while calming traffic. Construction will take place in two phases between May and November 2026.

• Ann Street Improvements Construction Contract (CA-13). City Council will vote on a $6.31 million construction contract for major improvements to Ann Street from North First to North Fifth. The project includes water main replacement, new stormwater infrastructure, full road resurfacing, curb replacement, intersection bump outs to support Vision Zero (note that quick build paint and post bumpouts are being made permanent with concrete), a new midblock crosswalk, and ADA sidewalk and ramp upgrades. Streetscape improvements between Ashley and Fifth, including new lighting, brick pavers, trees, and benches, will be funded in partnership with the Downtown Development Authority. The project also includes a fully ADA accessible on street parking space and improvements at the Ann Ashley parking structure entrance.

PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS 

• The Dean (558 S Fifth Ave) Rezoning with Conditions (PH-1). This is the second reading of a rezoning for nine parcels at 554 to 558 S Fifth and along East Madison from R4C and M1 to D1 Downtown Core with the Midtown Character overlay and Secondary Street frontage (the development project is referred to as "The Dean"). The rezoning would allow construction of a high rise residential building. A separate site plan under review proposes a 14 story building with approximately 180 apartments and structured parking. The planning staff report states that the D1 base zoning and Midtown overlay is consistent with the 2009 Comprehensive Plan and aligned with the draft 2026 Comprehensive Plan. Three voluntary conditions were initially offered: a 161 foot height limit, adherence to DDA design standards, and a 10 foot setback where the project abuts residential zoning. Planning staff recommended accepting the 10 foot setback to address a gap where Midtown zoning meets residential districts, but rejecting the additional height cap and design condition as unnecessary under existing standards. Planning Commission agreed and recommended approval of this rezoning in an 8-0 vote. Read more details on the Dean>>.

I'd love to hear from you.Feel free to reach out any time with your questions, concerns, or ideas:

Email: DAkmon@a2gov.org

Phone/Text: 734-492-5866There are also several ways to share your thoughts with the full City Council:

• Submit an eComment online

• Email all of Council: CityCouncil@a2gov.org

• Speak at a Council meeting (in person or remote): Call the City Clerk’s office at 734-794-6140 starting at 8 a.m. on the day of the meeting to reserve a speaking time. Note: You do not need to reserve time to speak during a formal public hearing.

Thank you for staying informed and engaged!