🏀🎮 Final Four + Pete's Is Back

Morning, Ann Arbor! Remember that 20-story affordable housing tower at 350 S. Fifth Ave we told you about last week? The state just threw another $118.6 million at it. More on that in a minute.

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🏀 Michigan Basketball Is Dancing

Both Michigan basketball teams are making deep March Madness runs. The men crushed Tennessee 95-62 Sunday and are heading to the Final Four in Indianapolis for the first time since 2018. They're 35-3 and play Arizona next weekend in Indy. The women face Texas tonight at 7 p.m. on ESPN in the Elite Eight after beating Louisville 71-52 Saturday. Win tonight and the second-seeded women head to their first Final Four in Phoenix. Yahoo Sports

🏒 Hockey Is Frozen Four Bound

The top-ranked Wolverines beat No. 6 Minnesota Duluth 4-3 Sunday to punch their ticket to the Frozen Four in Las Vegas. Michigan (30-7-1) won the Big Ten tournament at Yost before beating Bentley and the Bulldogs in Albany. The national semifinals are April 9 at T-Mobile Arena. It's the program's 29th Frozen Four appearance, the most in college hockey. MGoBlue

🏗️ The State Just Added $118.6M to That Downtown Housing Tower

Last week we told you City Council approved $35 million in bonds for the 20-story, 330-unit affordable housing complex at 350 S. Fifth Ave (the former YMCA site next to Blake Transit). Now the Michigan State Housing Development Authority has awarded another $118.6 million, mostly through low-income housing tax credits. Housing Commission Executive Director Jennifer Hall: "Without MSHDA's participation we would have no project." It'll be Ann Arbor's first exclusively affordable housing high-rise. WEMU

🌻 Law Students Launch Petition to Save Saline Senior's Garden

U-M Law School students are fighting to save a community garden at Mill Pond Manor in Saline after the subsidized senior housing complex ordered 75-year-old resident Changming Fan to tear down most of it by April 15 or face eviction. Fan has cultivated the flower beds and planter boxes since 2013. A Change.org petition has passed 1,000 signatures, but the nonprofit that manages the property rejected compromise offers, citing house rules compliance. AA Observer

📚 900+ Parents Want to See the School Budget

More than 900 AAPS parents signed a petition demanding the district release detailed budgets from the past three years and pause new spending until the teacher contract is resolved. Teachers have worked without a contract since December 31. Two rounds of state mediation have produced no deal. Parent Jen Oldham: "Teachers I know are saying they're having to work second and third jobs." CBS Detroit

🚌 Blake Transit Center Closing May 3

Blake Transit Center shuts down temporarily starting May 3 for construction. All bus stops currently on 4th Ave and at Blake are moving temporarily to 5th Ave and Washington St. The closure is part of a DDA project to rebuild 4th Ave with pedestrian and transit improvements plus utility work. Route 29 will be suspended during construction, but Route 26 is adding trips to cover the same area. Check TheRide.org/BTC for the new boarding locations and construction updates.

🏈 Football Lands Its First Whittingham-Era Recruit

Four-star safety Darrell Mattison from Chicago committed to Michigan as the first recruit under Kyle Whittingham's new regime. Players say the new staff has brought back Harbaugh-era discipline: 6 a.m. airhorns, early meetings, and a "you will become us" mentality. Sixth-year senior Rod Moore calls it "night and day" from the Sherrone Moore era. Recruits are buying in. 247 Sports

🍍 Bora Bora Coming to Downtown

Downtown is getting a new smoothie and coffee spot. Bora Bora Smoothie Cafe is opening at 303 S Main Street in the former Ten Thousand Villages space. They serve fresh smoothies, acai bowls, waffles, crepes, and coffee. The chain has 25+ locations across the country including one in Dearborn, and they're adding three more Michigan spots in Grand Blanc, Sterling Heights, and now Ann Arbor. No opening date yet, but the storefront is listed as coming soon on their website.

🎮 Pinball Pete's Update

Pinball Pete's is back. The iconic Ann Arbor arcade reopened last week at 500 E Liberty after losing its longtime East U spot, and the place was packed Friday night. Hours are still being worked out, so call 734-213-2502 before you head over. Great to see this local staple find its way back downtown. They're also hiring if you want the coolest job in town.

On the Market

374 Hilldale Dr — $600,000 4 bed | 3 bath | 1,843 sqft North side. Robert Metcalf mid-century modern (1960). Hardwood floors, fireplace, galley kitchen, finished basement, screened deck. Steps from Argo Pond and the B2B trail.

4158 Glen Eagles Ct — $1,275,000 4 bed | 5.5 bath | 5,410 sqft Loch Alpine. Custom 2018 build. Hickory floors, glass staircase, Sub-Zero/Thermador, soapstone island, finished lower level with full kitchen and exercise room, 3-car garage with heated floors and car lift for when four cars isn't enough. Last sold for $950K in 2021.

276 Indian River Pl — $3,500,000 6 bed | 7 bath | 8,118 sqft South side, 0.7 acres. Built in 1967. If you've ever wondered what $3.5M gets you in Ann Arbor, the answer is at least seven bathrooms. Robert Metcalf mid-century modern (the architect's personal favorite). Glass walls, brick, koi pond, indoor pool, copper roof. Last sold for $930K in 1996.

Adoptable Humane Society Pets

Darwin — 1 year | Neutered Male | Dog Happy, friendly, tail always wagging. Crate trained, house trained, knows basic commands, and will sit before every meal. Gets his zoomies out, then curls up next to you on the couch. Currently in foster. Adoption fee: $205. Meet Darwin

Barney –  6 years 11 months | Neutered Male | Cat A large orange-and-white cat with a shy nature who’s looking for a calm, patient home. Barney may take time to come out of his shell, but once he feels safe, he’ll begin to show his sweet personality and form a meaningful bond. Adoption fee: $115. Meet Barney

Shenanigans — 4 months | Neutered Male | Dog A tan Love Train puppy who arrived via HSHV's transportation program from an out-of-state shelter. Four months old, medium-sized, and looking for a forever home. Adoption fee: $395. Meet Shenanigans

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

—Ryan &  James

P.S. - If you like what you read, subscribe below.

P.P.S. Le Vent Du Nord, one of Quebec's best folk bands, plays The Ark tonight at 8 p.m. $29. The Ark

P.P.P.S. The Gothard Sisters bring Celtic folk to The Ark on Thursday at 8 p.m. Violin, guitar, mandolin, three-part harmonies. $35. The Ark

P.P.P.P.S. FoolMoon returns April 10. Bring a bird-themed luminary, join the 8 p.m. parade from one of three downtown starting points, and end at Washington & Ashley for live music and light shows. AnnArbor.org

P.P.P.P.P.S. Forward this to someone who's trying to buy a house with seven bathrooms. We want to be their friend.