A gathering place that welcomes the variety of people who live in Ann Arbor. In particular, some portion of the space is suitable play space for young children and families coming and going from the public library.
Do you have any comments on the listed activities?
Uses that take over the whole space - e.g. celebrations or live music - by their nature exclude other uses, or people whose celebrations or musical tastes differ from the scheduled event. My preference is for activities that simply allow people to
"be" in a part of town that does not have much space where people can do that without spending money. Not opposed to popup stores, but the space is so limited I would favour "hang out" space.
What type of activity would you especially imagine for yourself?
Hanging out with friends and/or people-watching. A cup of coffee purchased on-site might be nice, but is not essential, especially if near-by shops can supply it. Watching kids play. I'd be willing to check out popup stores - if they rotate frequently.
Name a potential audience/user group of the Commons. (For example, senior citizens, children, etc.).
Whom do I exclude?
Children with parents, middle/high school students, downtown residents/workers, library patrons, seniors, city residents, visitors.
What does this user hear in the Commons?
City sounds: Conversation; laughter; water; idling buses; road noise.
What does this user see in the Commons?
An urbane public space:
Growing season: some planters; possibly a fountain; perhaps a cafe table or two
Year-round: varied people; bench seating; a small play space/playground equipment; restrooms.
Winter: possibly a small rink (over the play space?); festive lighting
What does this user do in the Commons?
Largely passive activities.
What does this user feel in the Commons?
That they have arrived at the center of town - the center of "Things" - and are welcome.
Besides the user group you named above, what additional audiences do you think might use the Commons?
University students might wander through.
Do you have other ideas that would help create an inspirational Community Commons leaving a lasting legacy?
1) The best chance for a successful public space is to think of, develop and use The Commons as "The Library's Front Yard". It is important that this public space and public building complement each other. An attractive, urbane, outdoor space makes the library even more appealing to a broad audience, and a flow of library patrons can help draw a varied user group to The Commons. Institutional/Personal pettiness has to be overcome.
2) The default condition of Library Lane should be "Closed to Vehicles", opened only occasionally for specific mundane tasks - e.g. garbage collection, park maintenance, parking ramp maintenance, etc. The Commons should flow as an unbroken space to the library.
Are there any additional thoughts about the Commons you would like to share with the Task Force?
Commons opponents have contended that the chronically unemployed sometimes dominate urban public spaces. Supervision of this space - and posted, Constitutionally-permitted behavioural rules - may help keep it welcoming for ALL people, as it does in Detroit's downtown parks and squares. If any one demographic dominates a public space, then, in some important way, the space has failed. If any one demographic is excluded from a public space, the space has failed.
Paying for supervision of downtown public spaces seems like an obvious role for the DDA, even if they don't want it. With all the development since the big zoning changes, the property tax revenues should exist to support supervision, no?
What would make it easier for you to engage with the City of Ann Arbor?
Fewer dishonest/contemptuous/arrogant elected officials and employees. Most interactions with the city are painful.
A2 Open City Hall is not a certified voting system or ballot box. As with any public comment process, participation in A2 Open City Hall is voluntary. The responses in this record are not necessarily representative of the whole population, nor do they reflect the opinions of any government agency or elected officials.
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What does your ideal commons look like?
A gathering place that welcomes the variety of people who live in Ann Arbor. In particular, some portion of the space is suitable play space for young children and families coming and going from the public library.
What experiences support your ideal commons?
Lounging, conversation, perhaps suitable beverages, childs-play
(1=A good idea, 4=Not in favor)
Do you have any comments on the listed activities?
Uses that take over the whole space - e.g. celebrations or live music - by their nature exclude other uses, or people whose celebrations or musical tastes differ from the scheduled event. My preference is for activities that simply allow people to
"be" in a part of town that does not have much space where people can do that without spending money. Not opposed to popup stores, but the space is so limited I would favour "hang out" space.
What type of activity would you especially imagine for yourself?
Hanging out with friends and/or people-watching. A cup of coffee purchased on-site might be nice, but is not essential, especially if near-by shops can supply it. Watching kids play. I'd be willing to check out popup stores - if they rotate frequently.
Name a potential audience/user group of the Commons. (For example, senior citizens, children, etc.).
Whom do I exclude?
Children with parents, middle/high school students, downtown residents/workers, library patrons, seniors, city residents, visitors.
What does this user hear in the Commons?
City sounds: Conversation; laughter; water; idling buses; road noise.
What does this user see in the Commons?
An urbane public space:
Growing season: some planters; possibly a fountain; perhaps a cafe table or two
Year-round: varied people; bench seating; a small play space/playground equipment; restrooms.
Winter: possibly a small rink (over the play space?); festive lighting
What does this user do in the Commons?
Largely passive activities.
What does this user feel in the Commons?
That they have arrived at the center of town - the center of "Things" - and are welcome.
Besides the user group you named above, what additional audiences do you think might use the Commons?
University students might wander through.
Do you have other ideas that would help create an inspirational Community Commons leaving a lasting legacy?
1) The best chance for a successful public space is to think of, develop and use The Commons as "The Library's Front Yard". It is important that this public space and public building complement each other. An attractive, urbane, outdoor space makes the library even more appealing to a broad audience, and a flow of library patrons can help draw a varied user group to The Commons. Institutional/Personal pettiness has to be overcome.
2) The default condition of Library Lane should be "Closed to Vehicles", opened only occasionally for specific mundane tasks - e.g. garbage collection, park maintenance, parking ramp maintenance, etc. The Commons should flow as an unbroken space to the library.
Are there any additional thoughts about the Commons you would like to share with the Task Force?
Commons opponents have contended that the chronically unemployed sometimes dominate urban public spaces. Supervision of this space - and posted, Constitutionally-permitted behavioural rules - may help keep it welcoming for ALL people, as it does in Detroit's downtown parks and squares. If any one demographic dominates a public space, then, in some important way, the space has failed. If any one demographic is excluded from a public space, the space has failed.
Paying for supervision of downtown public spaces seems like an obvious role for the DDA, even if they don't want it. With all the development since the big zoning changes, the property tax revenues should exist to support supervision, no?
What would make it easier for you to engage with the City of Ann Arbor?
Fewer dishonest/contemptuous/arrogant elected officials and employees. Most interactions with the city are painful.