Your Guide to Proposals A and B
There is a special election on August 5, 2025. Here’s your guide to understanding Proposals A and B.
MY RECOMMENDATION:
Vote Yes on Proposals A and B.
THE BASICS:
Proposal A would authorize the City to transfer the air rights above the Library Lane Parking Structure (319 S. Fifth Ave) to the Ann Arbor District Library (AADL). This would enable the development of a bigger downtown library with enhanced amenities, performance/meeting/exhibit spaces, cafe, outdoor play space for kids and gathering spaces for adults, and housing. This proposal would not require any new taxes.
Proposal B would repeal Section 1.4 of the City Charter, currently titled Center of the City. Adoption of this amendment is conditioned on adoption of City Proposal A.
This is a repeal and replace set of proposals aimed at creating a more vibrant “Center of the City” block by partnering with the AADL. Enhanced library, new open space, and more housing.
Read more about the Library’s plans on the AADL website.
A DEEPER DIVE
On Monday, June 23, I participated in a Washtenaw County League of Women Voters Forum about these ballot proposals. You can watch the presentation that Molly Kleinman, Chair of the AADL Board, and I gave on this issue.
THE BALLOT LANGUAGE
CITY OF ANN ARBOR PROPOSAL A: AMENDMENT TO AUTHORIZE THE TRANSFER OF CITY OWNED PROPERTY TO THE ANN ARBOR DISTRICT LIBRARY
Shall Section 14.3 of the City Charter be amended to authorize the City to sell its interests in 319 South Fifth Avenue or 326 South Division Street, commonly known as the Library Lane Parking Structure, only to the Ann Arbor District Library for the purpose of building a mixed-use development that includes additional library services, housing, retail, and programmable open public space? This proposal does not authorize new taxes. Adoption of this amendment is conditioned on adoption of City Proposal B at this election.
CITY OF ANN ARBOR PROPOSAL B: AMENDMENT TO REPEAL SECTION 1.4 OF THE CITY CHARTER
Shall Section 1.4 of the City Charter, currently titled Center of the City, be repealed? Adoption of this amendment is conditioned on adoption of City Proposal A at this election.
VOTING
Vote on or before August 5th, 2025. Absentee voting begins June 26. Vote early at City Hall, or Traverwood, Malletts Creek, or Westgate Branches: July 30—August 3. Learn more.
RELATIONSHIP TO 2018 CHARTER AMENDMENT
I encourage you to watch my portion of the presentation during the LWV Forum.
In November 2018, voters approved a ballot initiative, by 53%, that required that all public spaces on the block where the A2 Library sits be held in perpetuity for “urban park or civic center commons.” Over the last seven years, the City has explored developing a park or a civic center. Ann Arbor residents have indicated a low preference for creating a new park on this parcel (slide 11), but have articulated enthusiasm for more amenities on this block and a civic center building (slide 10). A partnership with the library creates the opportunity to partner to expand and improve the civic center in the heart of our downtown.
These ballot proposals are consistent with the intent of the 2018 Charter Amendment. In 2018, the Ann Arbor Central Park Ballot Committee urged voters to approve Proposal A on their website because it would keep:
Keep public land for public use
Establish a town center and commons for public assembly
Preserve the possibility of a future Civic Center Building with cafes, galleries, etc.
All of these objectives would be met with passage of Proposals A and B.
At the 2018 LWV forum, proponents urged a yes vote because it could result in just the type of project voters are asked to consider this summer. Proponents argued (30:51), “These concepts allow for flexibility. For example, if we determine that the expense to plant more grass and trees is prohibitive, we can adjust the design of the park the Civic Center could be reconfigured to serve multiple purposes. The City and Library could decide to partner on a facility.”
WHAT WILL IT LOOK LIKE?
Design will occur after the the AADL knows what footprint it has to work with- one or two parcels. Investing public dollars in a design process on a site it doesn’t have control over would be an inappropriate use of tax dollars. However, the Library has articulated a vision. And the language of Proposal A creates the basis for any future contracts between the City and AADL on the transfer of air rights. The AADL and City have proposed a mixed use library with programmable open space and housing. The Library is an experienced and trusted public partner that has a history of building beautiful libraries with strong public input.
HOW WILL THIS PROPOSAL BE FINANCED?
This project with AADL (another public partner) won’t require any new taxes, rather it will be financed by building housing over the library which is another top community priority. Taxes generated from the housing would be reinvested in the downtown and our community.
SHOWCASE YOUR SUPPORT FOR THESE PROPOSALS
Interested in hosting a yard sign or distributing information on these ballot proposal? Learn more here.