Lunch UP: Susan Pollay

Lunch UP: Susan Pollay, Executive Director, Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority and Alexis Dileo, City Planner, Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor Downtown Zoning and Parking: Controversies and Politics

Ann Arbor’s downtown attracted many development projects and went through significant changes in the past two decades. Some believe that these changes shaped the downtown into a more walkable, livable, and exciting place, whereas others criticize the “growth machine” for disrupting existing neighborhoods, gentrifying local stores, and harming the traditional character. What are the most controversial issues and events regarding zoning and parking in downtown at this moment? Who are the key stakeholders involved and how has Ann Arbor politics responded to controversies? This panel brings two Ann Arbor experts commenting on these questions.

This panel is our final LunchUP event for the semester. In addition, David Weinreich, Michelle Bennett, Scott Fox, and Carla Kayanan are all stepping down to allow an incoming group of students to develop and manage future LunchUPs. If you have any questions or ideas for LunchUP topics you would like to see presented, please contact Jacob Yan at jacobyan@umich.edu.