U.S. Yields Only A Bit On Building

U.S. Yields
Only A Bit
On Building

Technical problems with constrction of
a new federal office building in down-
town Ann Arbor have apparently been
ironed out, but no major changes will be
made.

Mayor Janii Stephenson, who
along with City Adimnistrator Sylvester
Murray met with General Service Ad-
ministration (GSA) officials Thursday in
Chicago, says the government is holding
firm on the current design of the build-
ing.

Stephenson says progress was made to-
wards convincing the GSA to improve
. the drainage and landscaping in the back
of the proposed building by altering the
plans for a surface parking lot, but the
lot itself wi" -^"v in the plans.

Several have objected to some
a-.i">»';'t'..-' s^n, including the need

i. Alternative parking
schemes have been suggested, but Mayor
Stephenson says the GSA, which is han-
dling construction details, insists the
parking lot remain in the plans.

This is also a blow to those who hoped
to save the Masonic Tample, which will
be replaced by the lot. "If the Masonic
Temple stays then we won't have a fed-
eral building," Stephenson said.

Both Stephenson and Murray report
technical problems with the design, in-
cluding a question about whether or not
adequate water service is available, have
been resolved.

The mayor also said it was learned
that the planned ground breaking in
March will be delayed. Problems have
been encountered in relocating people
now living where the four-story building
will be constructed, and a federal judge
has allowed them more time to find oth-
er living quarters, he said.

The length of the delay is not know,
Stephenson said.

The building is planned for the block
bounded by S. Fifth Avenue, Liberty
Street and S. Fourth Avenue, f