🎓U-M crossed 54,000 for the first time

Morning, Ann Arbor! U-M just crossed 54,000 students for the first time. Also, three downtown streets close for construction (N Seventh starts this morning), so build in the extra five minutes. Better news elsewhere, UMMA’s running a free Sunday shuttle, the Trick or Treat Parade locked in its Main Street route, and some new businesses are opening soon. Let’s dive in.

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🎓 U-M Just Crossed 54,000 Students

The Ann Arbor campus hit a record 54,181 students this fall, with freshmen jumping 6% to 8,659, drawn from all but one of Michigan’s 83 counties and 54 countries. International enrollment has fallen by more than 1,000 over two years, mostly grad students, which U-M’s graduate dean ties to federal funding changes and immigration-policy uncertainty. University Record

🎃 The Trick or Treat Parade Gets Its Streets

Council approved the closures Monday for the Main Street Area Association's parade on Oct. 25. It starts at the downtown library at noon, then turns into trick-or-treating on Main from 12:15 to 2 p.m., with spooky dancing from DJ Ron Don and a silent disco. The Turkey Trot on Nov. 26 and KindleFest in Kerrytown on Dec. 4 got their street closures too. Main Street Ann Arbor

SPONSORED BY: UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN MUSEUM OF ART

🚲 All Aboard the UMMA Art Shuttle, Catch a Free Ride to the Art Museum

This fall, UMMA launched a free Art Shuttle in collaboration with Boober Tours. The shuttle runs between downtown Ann Arbor and the Museum on non-football Saturdays and every Sunday through November. Hop aboard for a free ride to the Museum, explore UMMA's newly reopened galleries, and ride back downtown when you're done. See new exhibitions from artists Holly Bass and Rick Lowe, and explore UMMA's beautifully renovated marble floors. Admission, and the ride, is always free. See the shuttle schedule and plan your visit. 

🏗️ The Local Building Boom Isn’t Slowing Down

Hard to keep up with the cranes these days, so here’s the latest batch. Council signed off on 307 high-end apartments next to the East Stadium Trader Joe’s, and the Planning Commission approved a bumped-up seven-story, 287-unit project called The Crescent by the south-side Whole Foods. Near campus, a Texas developer wants a 13-story, 960-bed student high-rise off Geddes, demolishing several old rental houses.That’s all on top of six high-rises already going up downtown and the 20-story Adeline affordable tower. MLive

🍫 The Downtown Chocolatier and Kerrytown Pasta Bar Are Getting Closer
Two openings we’ve been tracking are inching toward the finish line. Quix, the Belgian chocolatier making its chocolates in Michigan, just started putting up signage at its downtown storefront (107 E. Liberty), and it’s hiring for retail. Over in Kerrytown, Sugo Pasta Bar (where you’ll watch 20-plus types of fresh pasta made in front of you) is staffing up ahead of its fall opening too (203 N. Fourth Ave.). Both are getting close and hiring now. Quix | Sugo

SPONSORED BY: UNIVERSITY MUSICAL SOCIETY

🎺 Lupita Infante Brings Mariachi to Hill

Lupita Infante grew up with a famous name. Her grandfather, Pedro Infante Cruz, was one of Mexico's most beloved singers and actors. Now the Mexican American singer is carrying that legacy forward with her own take on mariachi, ranchera, and norteña music. She makes her UMS debut with her mariachi at Hill Auditorium Saturday, October 17 at 7:30 p.m. Her Ann Arbor visit also includes a performance for about 3,000 schoolchildren through UMS's School Day Performance series. UMS

🏛️ The City Hired Someone to Rewrite the Zoning Code

Council approved a $786,499 contract with Stantec on Monday to turn March's land-use plan into actual rules, including new standards for duplexes and triplexes in single-family neighborhoods. MLive

🧺 The Farmers Market Is Getting Rethought

Council put roughly $379,000 toward Market Ventures Inc. to run a visioning process for the Kerrytown market, with the DDA covering $248,000 of it. "This is the time to reimagine," parks manager Josh Landefeld told council. A2Gov

🌳 They Dug Up the Old Gas Station on North Main

Cleanup started last Monday at 800 N. Main St., and the smell of petroleum hung over the block. Crews expected four 4,000-gallon gas tanks down there and found two more. The Treeline Conservancy bought the lot for $135,000 in April as an anchor for the elevated trail planned along Main between Depot and Summit. MLive

🛣️ Two Road Millages Are on the November Ballot
Alongside the public power fight, Ann Arbor voters will also decide two transportation millages Nov. 3, both renewals of existing taxes, not new ones. The first (up to 2.125 mills) funds repairs to streets, bridges, sidewalks, and bike lanes, raising about $19.2 million a year. The second (up to 0.20 mills) builds new sidewalks where none exist, about $1.8 million a year. Both run 2027 through 2032. A2Gov

🚲 The City Is Finally Buying That Felch Street House
After more than a decade of trying, the city has struck a deal to buy 124 Felch St., a key piece for the long-planned Treeline trail. The $373,400 purchase will clear a structure out of the Allen Creek floodway and open space for the trail to connect toward a future greenway park at 721 N. Main. It goes to City Council for approval Oct. 19. A2Gov | Zillow 

🚧 Three Downtown Streets Close This Week

N Seventh between Miller and W Huron is closed from Monday through 5 p.m. Thursday for sewer replacement. E Washington between Ashley and Main closes 9 to 5 Tuesday for crane work, and S Ashley between Washington and Liberty closes 9 to 5 Wednesday for more of the same. Sidewalks stay open on all three. A2Gov

On the Market

1423 Henry St — $450,000 2 bed | 1 bath | 1,271 sqft - A 1924 lower Burns Park home with hardwood floors, high ceilings, a fireplace and a large covered front porch.

375 Koch Ave — $775,000 3 bed | 2 bath | 1,512 sqft - A 1998 home built to match Old West Side architecture, steps from Wurster Park, with hardwood floors, a gas fireplace, updated kitchen and private patio.

742 Kuehnle Ave — $785,000 5 bed | 4 bath | 4,175 sqft - A 1986 home on a half-acre lot with soaring ceilings, hardwood floors and a two-story addition, plus a screened porch, bluestone patio and lush gardens.

Adoptable Humane Society Pets

Alani — 10 months | 45 lbs Spayed Female | Pit Bull Terrier. An energetic, loving pup who’s a quick learner, especially when treats are involved. Meet Alani 

Blinky — 2 months | 2 lbs Spayed Female | Domestic Medium Hair. A shy, sweet kitten looking for a quiet home where she can feel safe and loved. Meet Blinky. 

Beebee — 8 years 2 months | 51 lbs Spayed Female | Pit Bull Terrier. A shy but affectionate senior who loves cuddles, belly rubs, and spending time with her favorite people. Meet Beebee

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

— Ryan, James, and the Michigander Team

P.S. - The Kelsey Museum just opened a new permanent gallery, "The Byzantine and Islamic Worlds: 400-1800," and it’s free like everything else at the Kelsey. See the new gallery.

P.P.S. - Batch House Bagels is doing its first pop-up with Argus Farm Stop on Sunday, Oct. 25, bringing New York style bagels and cream cheese to Burns Park from 9 a.m. to noon or until they sell out, and they are not taking preorders, so set an alarm. Batch House Bagels 

P.P.P.S. - Come on down! “The Price Is Right Live” hits the Michigan Theater at 7:30 p.m. April 28, with Plinko, the Big Wheel, and the Showcase in play. Tickets open to all Oct. 16, or use the presale (password PLINKO) through Oct. 15. Michigan Theater

P.P.P.P.S. - Art of Taekwondo opens at the end of October, with classes for kids, teens, and adults. Master Sungju An is a 6th-degree Kukkiwon black belt who spent 20 years competing in South Korea. The grand opening deal: $20 for three group classes and a free uniform. Art of Taekwondo

P.P.P.P.P.S. - Productiv is an energy and focus drink mix from U-M student Simon Bleier, made with no artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners. He built it after getting tired of choosing between junk-filled energy drinks and a coffee habit he couldn’t afford. Productiv

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