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Editor's note: This corrects a previous version of the article that incorrectly stated the resolution had been approved unanimously.
The bus stop for Eastern Michigan University’s shuttle will be moving a few feet south on Adams Street, taking up five metered parking spaces.
The move was approved by City Council Tuesday night. The shuttle, Ann Arbor Transportation Authority’s route 33, used to take up only one metered parking space on Adams when it was moved from the transit center on Pearl Street.
Gaining one lost parking space and losing five spaces puts the city out a total of four parking meters in one of the busiest parking areas of the city.
However, staff hopes this can push along negotiations for the city to take control of the N. Washington St. parking lot behind the AATA transit center.
City Planner Richard Murphy, who presented the resolution to City Council, said moving the stop north along the street will bring the bus closer the EMU College of Business entrance, and prevent the bus from blocking the intersection of Adam and Pearl streets.
The proposed resolution set up a 90-day deadline for EMU and the city to work out an agreement on the parking lot, which both entities share ownership in, and required EMU to pay $35 per meter per week.
Murphy said he arrived at that number by the cost to park per hour multiplied by the total number of hours parking is enforced. However, Councilmember Brian Robb, D-Ward 3, pointed out that the city charges the filming industry $25 a day for closing parking spaces.
He then motioned to amend the resolution to charge $25 a day, which was seconded by Lois Richardson, D-Ward 1, and passed. Mayor Paul Schreiber and Councilmember Bill Nickels, D-Ward 2, voted against the amendment.
Schreiber said he voted against the amendment because he thought it might hinder negotiations with EMU for the parking lot.
“We’ve been extending friendship,” Robb said. “We’ve given them $4,000 of good will.”
Robb pointed out that the city had been undercharging them for the use of the parking space that the current bus stop occupies.
Before the vote on the amendment, Nickels said a trade for the parking lot with the four spaces would “be a real deal,” as the city had been using the closing of College Place for negotiating control of the Washington Street Lot.
If the city were to gain control of the lot, Murphy said the city could issue permit and meter parking to gain revenue to make repairs to the lot. Currently the lot is under-maintained by both entities. The Downtown Association of Ypsilanti, a non-profit organization, has recently undertaken the responsibility to pick up litter in the lot.
Criticism was also voiced against EMU’s desire to separate the route from the transit center.
“Is the bus too big?” Robb asked. “Is the (transit center) too dangerous?
“This sends a really bad message,” Robb said.
He said it has race and socio-economic implications. Councilmember Lois Richardson, D-Ward 1, agreed.
Councilmember Peter Murdock, D-Ward3, said the stop is moved closer to the building’s entrance “so their students don’t have to come into contact with the locals.
“The whole building designed that way,” Murdock said. “It just kind of irks me.”
Schreiber pointed out the city and university has recently been on good terms as the long-negotiated walkway from the president’s house was put in and several regents donate to Ann Arbor SPARK.
Murdock agreed that EMU and the city have recently been moving in a positive direction, and his criticisms were aimed specifically at the issues he noted.
The resolution was passed, with Robb and Murdock voting against. Mayor Pro Tem Trudy Swanson, D-Ward 1, was absent from the meeting.
City Council will have to revisit the after the 90-day deadline to work on an agreement for the Washington Street lot.