Planners Back Steps For Downtown Aid

A resolution urging Ann Arbor Lity Council to take steps toward revitalizing the downtown area was passed Tuesday night by the city Planning Commission. The resolution is similar to one proposed by Mayor Robert J. Harris, and contains the mayor's recommendation that the city appropriate $7,500 to hire a consulting firm to look at ways to keep the central business district from further deterioration. The city funds would hopefully -be matched by a similar amount from the community, namely, the downtown businesses. Included in the thrust of the commission's action was a suggestion that an "organizational structure" be established to provide a scheduled plan for implementation of all measures deemed possible to redevelop the downtown area. The resolution also urged the city look into both private and governmental investments that might be possible. The resolution will be forwarded to City Council for action there. Commissioners also voted to elect Charles Reinhart as commission chairman for the next week. Reinhart had been vicfe'chairman. Eunice Burns was also elected vice chairman, and Franz Mogdis secretary. In other business, the commission decided to hold a public hearing July 25 on a rezoning petition and site plan concerning the Winewood Thaler public housing project. Prestiege Structures Inc., builders of the development, are seeking to rezone 14 lots to bring those single family homes within the present city requirements. The planning staff has recommended denial of the request because of the undersized lots, "nightmarish landscape," and other physical characteristics of the site. The housing project has been a trouble spot since last fall when the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development ordered a work stoppage of the building. Originally, 24 units were planned, but this was later dropped to 17. I