Note: as a government entity, AADL cannot advocate for a vote one way or the other. However, we can distribute facts about questions before the voters. Please contact Library Director Eli Neiburger at eli@aadl.org if you have any questions about any of this information!
On August 5, the future of the Library is on the ballot.
The Downtown Library has served the community well for almost 70 years. As library services and events have grown, the Library Board has determined that the building’s spaces, systems, and structure no longer meet the needs of the community. A new Downtown Library would deliver accessible, sustainable, and inspiring public spaces, funded by the development of housing above the library, bringing much-needed public amenities to the heart of downtown Ann Arbor.
This summer, voters will decide if the footprint of the new library will also include the surface of the Library Lane parking garage.
A bigger site opens up more possibilities for the project, such as:
• Exciting new Kids Room and outdoor play area
• Outdoor gathering and performance space
• Better browsing access for books, music, video, tools, equipment, and games
• Gallery space for traveling and local exhibitions
• Publicly available studios for producing video, audio, and art projects
• Local history reading room and quiet space
• Larger, more comfortable, more flexible spaces for Library events
• Café and local shops
• More meeting rooms, including rehearsal spaces
Proposals A and B do not authorize any new taxes or zoning changes.
AADL will publicly seek partners who develop affordable, market-rate, artist, or senior housing to be built above the new library. AADL will be the owner and operator of the library, with housing above the library owned, developed, and operated by the selected housing partners. AADL will operate a temporary Downtown Library throughout construction, at a site to be determined later.
Remember to Vote by August 5!
Absentee voting begins June 26. Vote early at City Hall, or Traverwood, Malletts Creek, or Westgate Branches: July 30—August 3.
Want to Learn More?
• Here's a page with information about the Downtown Library and frequently asked questions!
• Listen to AADL Director Eli Neiburger talk about the Downtown Library and Proposals A and B on the Ann Arbor AF podcast. Click to listen or to read a transcript of the interview.
• On June 24 at 6:30 PM at the Zion Lutheran Church (1501 W. Liberty), the League of Women Voters will host a forum on Proposal A and B that will be recorded and available on their YouTube channel following the event. Click for more information about the event or visit the LWV YouTube page here.
• Attend or livestream an AADL Board of Trustees meeting on June 23 at 7 PM or July 28 at 7 PM. Meetings take place in the fourth floor program room at the Downtown Library and are available to stream on the Library's YouTube channel.
Ballot Language
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.
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.
