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Morning, Ann Arbor! School starts in three weeks, which makes this the last real stretch of townie summer. It is a loaded one: the city picked a new mayor, a U-M regent wants to turn 140 acres on the Huron into a second Arb, and Jeff Daniels opens his Chelsea listening room on Tuesday.

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🌳 The Old Concordia Campus Could Become The Arb 2.0

Regent Paul Brown wants to turn the property's Huron River frontage into a community park like Nichols Arboretum, one that could eventually run all the way to Argo. He also floated renovating Earhart Manor into an event space and rebuilding the old dorms as subsidized housing for U-M staff, and the athletic fields would go out to local high schools and youth sports groups for $1. MLive

🏛️Ann Arbor Picked a New Mayor

Washtenaw County Commissioner Yousef Rabhi won Tuesday's Democratic primary for mayor. He beat Chris Taylor, who has held the job for 12 years, by about 55% to 45%. He wants to build permanently affordable housing on public land, opposes selling city land to private developers, and backs the push for a municipal power utility to replace DTE. Michigan Public

🗳️ Three New Faces on City Council

Voters filled five council seats the same night. Sandy Aldrich took Ward 2, Ryan Bartholomew took Ward 3, and Aidan Sova took Ward 4. Incumbents Cynthia Harrison in Ward 1 and Jenn Cornell in Ward 5 both held on. Everyone starts a four-year term after the November 3 general. Click on Detroit

🎸Jeff Daniels' Chelsea Venue Opens Tuesday 

JD's Stage Bistro starts regular dinner service Tuesday at 117 1/2 S. Main St in Chelsea, in the downstairs space under the sidewalk. Live music kicks off Wednesday with the Ben Daniels Band and Kendron, and that show plus the next three nights are already sold out. Daniels plays four of his own shows the last week of August, and those tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Monday. Why now: set an alarm for 10 a.m. The August 26 solo show is the cheap one at $75. The three nights after it run $100. JDs Stage Bistro

SPONSORED BY ORIGIN STRENGTH - ANN ARBOR

💪 Grand Opening: Origin Strength (Kerrytown)

Said you'd get in shape this year but haven't? This is your chance.

Origin Strength, the new personal training and small-group studio in Kerrytown (115 E. Ann St.), throws its grand opening Saturday, Aug. 22 from 8 a.m. to noon.

Whether you're a postpartum mom, a dad chasing his prime, or a grandparent fighting knee and hip pain, they'll help you find your next step forward.

Swing by on your way to the farmers market. Everyone who shows up gets (1) free training session, (1) free class, and a shot at winning a full month of free training, plus bagels, Curious Coffee, and gift bags from local businesses.

Questions? Email them and mention The Michigander sent you. Origin Strength

🏪 Three New Shops Open on East Liberty

The 401 E. Liberty St. block is buzzing with new arrivals after Tio’s closed. Dip Scoop is scooping ice cream, shakes, and smoothies; Hummus Republic is serving up Mediterranean bowls and wraps; and Trading Cards Factory is now open for Pokémon, Lorcana, and Magic fans, complete with tournaments.

🎬 A Film Festival Is Coming to the State

The State Theatre will host the Dancing star Uplifting Film Festival in April 2027, and submissions opened August 1. Founder Christina Morales Hemenway is also finishing "Street Stories," a documentary about recovery in Ann Arbor. She is screening it September 12 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the library's Pittsfield branch on Oak Valley Drive. Learn more

🏙️ A 10-Story High-Rise Is Coming to First and Huron

City Council unanimously approved a 10-story, 285-apartment tower Thursday where the Last Word bar and Live nightclub now stand. Owner Watershed Hospitality Group voluntarily agreed to sell, and the developer has floated a rooftop bar as a possible new home for the Last Word. 15% will be affordable. Plans also include a ground-floor coffee shop, a pocket park, and a Treeline trail segment. mLive

🏗️ A Big Development Is Set to Rise on South Main

Wondering about all those tree stumps and heavy machinery along South Main near the U-M Golf Course? That's the long-planned Arbour on Main taking shape. The roughly 450-unit, $100 million apartment complex, first approved by City Council back in 2021, features a Big House-inspired design and studios plus one- and two-bedroom units aimed at local workers. mLive

⚡ Public Power Makes the November Ballot

One of the biggest questions in years is headed to Ann Arbor voters this fall. Grassroots group Ann Arbor for Public Power gathered enough valid signatures to put a charter amendment on the Nov. 3 ballot, the first step toward a possible public takeover of DTE's local grid. Supporters say it's the only real path to the city's climate goals and could mean lower rates down the road. Opponents, backed by $1.8 million from DTE, warn it could pile on roughly $1 billion in debt and spike electric bills 30–40%. Michigan Public

On the Market

723 Daniel St —  $390,000 2 bed | 1 bath | 800 sqft A 1920 west-side bungalow in a walkable pocket near downtown, Kerrytown and the Farmers Market, with wood floors, and under $400K.

9 E Heatheridge Ave — $1,250,000 3 bed | 3 bath | 2,131 sqft A renovated 1951 ranch tucked into a quiet Ann Arbor Hills cul-de-sac, with custom cabinetry, heated floors, a window-wrapped family room opening to a bluestone patio, and a spacious primary suite.

504 Burson Pl — $2,995,000 5 bed | 6 bath | 5,572 sqft A remodeled 1941 home with hardwood floors throughout, a granite kitchen with a huge island, and a window-lined dining room.

Adoptable Humane Society Pets

Breezy - 16 years 5 months | Small Female | Domestic Shorthair. Sixteen years old, a talker, and she has been waiting since November, which is longer than any animal on the roster. Meet Breezy

Lucy - 11 years 7 months | Large Female | Shepherd mix. A senior who wants a low-key retirement, and she is honest about being nervous with new people, so HSHV asks that she meet any dog siblings before she goes home. Meet Lucy

Kitty Boom Boom - 13 years 4 months | Medium Male | Domestic Shorthair. An orange senior whose foster says he loves cheek rubs, laps and sunshine patches, and dislikes thunder and diets. Meet Kitty Boom Boom

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

— Ryan, James, and the Michigander Team

P.S. - U.S. News named University of Michigan Health the top hospital in Michigan and one of just 20 nationwide on its Best Hospitals Honor Roll, the 34th year running. Michigan Medicine

P.P.S. - The Ann Arbor Local Food Festival is back Wednesday, Aug. 27 from 5–8 p.m., bringing together farmers, makers, and eaters to sample seasonal fare and discover new flavors. Food trucks and vendors will be onsite with locally sourced meals for purchase. A2Gov

P.P.P.S. - Dinner and a Ghibli movie? The Michigan Theater is showing "The Boy and the Heron" Wednesday at 7 p.m. Pair it with a three-course Japanese dinner at Slurping Turtle at 5 p.m., then stroll down to the theater. Marquee Arts

P.P.P.P.S. - Congrats to longtime Michigander reader Rachael and her husband Matt, who tied the knot this weekend in Charlevoix! The two started dating as Michigan students in 2020, but the roots run deeper, they first met as family friends through their dads, themselves U-M buddies. A true Wolverine love story! Shoutout to Jonathon M for the tip!

P.P.P.P.P.S. - Did anyone bump into Gavin Newsom in Kerrytown yesterday? The California governor swung by Zingerman's for a bite around 5 p.m. Even out-of-state politicians know where to get a good sandwich.

P.P.P.P.P.P.S. - Michigan opens the football season at home against Western Michigan on Saturday, September 5 at 7:30 p.m., which means you have four weekends left to pretend you are going to fix the grill before tailgating starts. Football Schedule

🐻 Michigander Things

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