14 Stories, 180 Apartments, and a Lot of Opinions

Morning, Ann Arbor! If you've walked past the corner of Madison and Fourth Ave lately and thought "this neighborhood is changing fast," you're not wrong. The new dorms going up across the street are just the start. City Council just approved a 14-story residential tower for that lot too. More on that in a second.

🌡️ 69 degrees today. Spring showed up early and we are not complaining.

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🏗️ 14-Story Building Approved Near Elbel Field

City Council voted unanimously last Monday to rezone the 0.85-acre lot on East Madison between South Fourth and Fifth Avenues. The plan: a 14-story residential tower called "The Dean" with about 180 apartments and two levels of parking. The site sits right across from Elbel Field and next to the Wolverine Tower area, where a wave of new dorms is already under construction. Ward 5 Council member Erica Briggs noted the context: "We have to acknowledge that the University of Michigan has grown 35% in terms of their enrollment over the last 20 years." Some nearby homeowners pushed back, calling it too tall for the neighborhood. WEMU

🏥 Blue Cross Patients Could Lose Access to Michigan Medicine

If you have Blue Cross insurance and use Michigan Medicine, pay attention. The two sides are in a contract dispute with a July 1 deadline. If no deal is reached, Michigan Medicine could stop accepting Blue Cross patients who aren't directly tied to U-M. Faculty, staff, retirees, and their dependents are safe. The gap is wide: Blue Cross says Michigan Medicine is asking for a 44% rate increase over five years. Michigan Medicine says it's closer to single-digit annual increases. One to watch before summer. Michigan Public

✏️ Ann Arbor Teachers Are Heading Into Month Three Without a Contract

For the first time in 32 years, Ann Arbor teachers are working without a contract. Talks between AAPS and the Ann Arbor Education Association have been underway since January, with a state mediator now relaying proposals between the two sides. The sticking points are pay raises, compensation for lesson planning time, and overall budgeting. The district's last offer was rejected as "completely far off" by union president Fred Klein. The union's counterproposal is due March 19th. WEMU

🏀 March Madness Is Here: Both Basketball Teams Tournament-Bound

The men beat Michigan State at home yesterday to cap off something no Michigan team has done since 1917: an undefeated regular season on the road. The 29-2 Wolverines went 11-0 away from Crisler, locked up the Big Ten regular season title, and earned the #1 seed in the tournament. They get a triple-bye and won't play until Friday at the United Center in Chicago. Plenty of time to rest up.

The women (25-6) had a tougher weekend, falling to Iowa in Indianapolis. Still, they earned the #3 seed behind first-team All-Big Ten performances from Olivia Olson (19.6 ppg) and Syla Swords (14.6 ppg). Both squads are built for March. Could be a fun couple of weeks. MGoBlog

🏈 Michigan Football Is Already Recruiting the West Coast

Kyle Whittingham isn't wasting time. Michigan hired Skylar Phan away from USC this week, where she ran recruiting strategy for the Trojans' #1-ranked 2026 class. On3's Steve Wiltfong called her "an up-and-coming superstar in the landscape." She joins new GM Dave Peloquin, who spent 20 years at Notre Dame owning the Midwest pipeline. Peloquin works the middle of the country. Phan opens up the coasts. The staff is taking shape fast. Maize n Brew

⚖️ Michigan Sues Sports Betting Platform Kalshi

Attorney General Dana Nessel filed suit against Kalshi, a New York prediction market where about 90% of trades are sports bets. Michigan's argument is straightforward: it's unlicensed gambling dressed up as "event contracts," and only state-licensed and tribal casinos can legally offer sports betting here. Nevada and Massachusetts have filed similar suits. Bridge Michigan

🚧 $21.6 Million for Road Repairs Across Town
City Council approved $21.6 million for road repairs and utility upgrades this week. Packard Street, Ann Street, Bryant Pattengill East, and Needham Road are all on the list. Yes, that means construction season is coming. If you drive Packard daily, we're sorry. Work starts in the coming weeks. WXYZ

🔔 Should Ann Arbor Retire Its Tornado Sirens?

The city is asking residents whether to decommission all 22 outdoor warning sirens. They've only been activated twice in the past five years, both during Art Fair week in July 2023. Repairs run about $60K a year, and your phone's Wireless Emergency Alerts already deliver more detail faster. The argument for keeping them: not everyone has a phone. Have an opinion? Take the survey through the end of March. City of Ann Arbor

🌳 Two West Side Parks Are Getting an Upgrade

South Maple Park and Dexter Park are both getting makeovers this year. Council voted unanimously on March 2 to approve $1.7 million in improvements. South Maple gets pickleball courts, tennis courts, a new parking lot, and better sidewalk connections. Dexter gets a basketball court, pavilion, and accessible grills. Work starts soon and should wrap up by early fall. MLive

On the Market

510 Miller Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48103 – $423,400 – 3 bed | 2 Bath | 1,298 sqft
Built in 1914. Gambrel roof, cedar shingles, and stone masonry on the front porch. West Park is one block away. Kerrytown is four blocks. The Miller Ave bike lane puts downtown five minutes away without touching a car. On Saturday mornings, you can walk to the farmers' market and be back before your coffee gets cold.

919 5th St, Ann Arbor, MI 48103 — $560,000 — 2 bed | 1 bath | 1,176 sqft
Old West Side, 1932, one block from Allmendinger Park. The kind of house where the kitchen makes you stop scrolling. Soapstone counters, brass hardware, café curtains. Someone put real thought into this one. Two bedrooms means it's not for everyone, but for the right buyer, this street is the whole point. The kind of street people move to and never leave.

3215 W Dobson Pl, Ann Arbor, MI 48105 – $4,350,000 — 5 bed | 4 bath | 5,193 sqft
Somebody built a five-acre estate in the middle of Ann Arbor in 1923 and put a copper roof on it. The architect also did the Detroit Athletic Club. The guy who designed the Nichols Arboretum did the grounds. There's a library. We're not sure what else to tell you except that we spent way too long looking at the photos.

Adoptable Humane Society Pets

Armadillo —15 years | Small Neutered Male | Mixed Breed A senior gentleman who knows exactly what he wants: a slower pace and a home without kids under 12. He's an open book from day one. You'll know right away if you're his person. Meet Armadillo

Atlas —- 3.5 years | Medium Neutered Male | Domestic Shorthair Shy at first, but the best things are worth waiting for. Atlas needs a patient, low-key household where he can warm up on his own schedule. Meet Atlas

Biscoff — 2 years | Medium Neutered Male | Mixed Breed Named after the cookie, sweet like one too. He's working on his confidence and looking for a quiet home where he can be himself. Meet Biscoff

That's all for now! Have a great week in Tree Town!

- Ryan & James

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P.P.S. - The 64th Ann Arbor Film Festival runs March 24-29 at the Michigan Theater. 180+ films from 20+ countries. Tickets start at $9. Details

P.P.P.S. - Ladysmith Black Mambazo plays The Ark this Wednesday at 8pm. $51.50. If you've never seen them live, this is the one. Tickets

P.P.P.P.S. - Curious Coffee has come up in our inbox a lot this past week. We will take the hint and report back.