Christopher Taylor

Ann Arbor's Democratic mayoral primary is rapidly approaching on August 5th. Since incumbent Mayor John Hieftje isn't seeking re-election it offers the community a chance to chart a new course in a wide variety of areas.  

From attracting and retaining businesses to new construction projects, economic development is an important issue in every community.  Ann Arbor voters head to the polls August 5th and economic development will be among the issues voters consider when casting their ballot for one of the four Mayoral candidates. 

Ann Arbor homeless advocates hope the large turnout at a mayoral forum on the issue will show it's a priority to voters.  If nothing else all four City Council members appearing on the democratic ballot for mayor pledged to commit financial and political capital to ending homelessness in the city by 2018.

For the first time in 14-years, Ann Arbor will soon have a new Mayor.   Whom voters elect will help determine the direction of the city's spending priorities.

Ann Arbor Mayor John Hieftje thinks investments made during his tenure are already paying results and will continue to do so.  The issue of spending priorities however is one voters will be looking at as the city chooses a new mayor for the first time in 14 years.  

Hieftje points to the underground parking structure as helping grow the local economy.  That's because he doesn't think the city's growing tech sector would have been possible without additional parking downtown.  He says these jobs have helped keep the area more active, boosting restuarants and other businesses.

Ypsilanti Mayoral candidate Amanda Edmonds believes Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, and neighboring communities will succeed or fail together.  She made these remarks Thursday at the Ann Arbor Ypsilanti Regional Chamber's unique mayoral forum that brought together candidates for the job in both cities.  

How will Ann Arbor's next mayor take on the challenges around the city's always changing downtown?  That will be among the primary topics discussed Wednesday night at a mayoral debate hosted by Literati Bookstore.  

Ann Arbor City Council is unified in concerns over Liberty Plaza but differ in their thoughts on how to move forward on improving the urban park.  Council referred a resolution to start a re-design process to the Parks Advisory Commission.   

In recent years there has been a lot of talk about the need for a downtown park above Ann Arbor's underground parking structure.  Now Ann Arbor City Council will consider a resolution to pay for a re-design of the Liberty Plaza just to the northeast of the garage.   

Primary elections are less than two months away so candidates are getting busy knocking on doors and sharing their vision.  Ann Arbor voters also have several chances to see all four Democrats running for Mayor in the coming weeks.  

Ann Arbor's efforts to reduce carbon emissions through the climate action plan received a boost in next year's budget.  Council amended the $98 million general fund budget to include $125,000 for advocacy and education programs around reducing energy use.    

Ann Arbor City Council Monday night will approve city administrator Steve Powers proposed $98 million general fund budget for next fiscal year.    

The 4 Ann Arbor City Council members seeking Mayor John Hieftje's job will participate in a forum in his Ford School of Public Policy class Wednesday.  The forum set to begin at 1 in the afternoon in Weill Hall will be open to the public.   Hieftje says he doesn't know exactly what the students will be asking Sabra Briere, Sally Hart Petersen, Stephen Kunselman, and Christopher Taylor.

Monday Ann Arbor City Council will consider a resolution that would designate about 10-thousand square feet of the surface lot on top of the Library Lane parking garage as the site of a future park.  City officials have long stated a portion of the area will become park space, but this resolution would nail down the specific location. 

The University of Michigan can go ahead with plans to buy the Edwards Brothers property on State Street for nearly 13 million dollars.  Ann Arbor City Council voted six to five Monday night against using the right of first refusal to match the university’s offer.  

The former chair of the Ann Arbor Park Advisory Commission is once more seeking a seat on City Council. 

Julie Grand has announced she will run for the third ward seat Council member Christopher Taylor is opting not to try to keep as he instead runs for mayor.  Grand says she learned some lessons from her narrow defeat to Council member Stephen Kunselman in last year's democratic primary.  She says however her philosophy remains the same.

Grand says she is still running to try to make a direct impact on the quality of life in Ann Arbor.  She says the city needs leaders who use data, best practices, and community engagement to make decisions on issues while also working on constituent services.

Another Ann Arbor City Council member has announced she’s running for mayor.  Second Ward Council representative Sally Hart Petersen today announced she will seek outgoing Mayor John Hieftje’s position.

Petersen says her combination of leadership experience, skills and interests in the private, public, and non-profit sectors make her uniquely qualified to lead Ann Arbor into its next era of growth and sustainability.  She says in addition to promoting growth, Ann Arbor's next Mayor needs to be a champion of civic engagement which she has done on council through surveying residents on a variety of topics.

Petersen says her top priority will be increasing city services.  She says this will be possible if the private business sector is stronger so more revenues will be available to dedicate to services.

Hieftje announced last year he wouldn’t seek re-election.  So far City Council members Sabra Briere, Stephen Kunselman, and Christopher Taylor have all announced they are running for mayor.

Petersen says she's thought about running for mayor for a long time and Hieftje's decision has really opened the door.

The race to be Ann Arbor’s next mayor won’t include the chair of the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners. 

Yousef Rabhi today announced he won’t run for mayor this year.  Rabhi says he expects it to be an interesting race, but likely won’t be endorsing any candidate.

The Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, The Original has been running at a financial deficit the last few years. Event organizers put the annual losses at a range from $5,700  to $8,000. 

Ann Arbor City Council  is dedicating $10,000 to it's community events fund to help cover anticipated losses in 2014. City Council Member Christopher Taylor explains that the unique importance of the art fair makes it worth supporting.

SEE ALSO: The Shadow Art Fair Set To Make Its Last Stand

Overall, the city charges the four art fairs about $60,000 for barriers, extra safety services, and trash removal.  $8,000  is paid by the original art fair.  This fair also pays rent to the University of Michigan and has limited sponsorship options because it's located on campus.

Christopher Taylor also says that the the other three art fairs haven't requested funding from the city, but did write in support of the original art fair receiving assistance.  He says the unique importance of the art fair to the city makes this investment worthwhile and doesn't serve as a precedent for funding other events.

Listen to Andrew Cluley's full report.

 — Andrew Cluley is a reporter and anchor for 89.1 WEMU News. Contact him at 734.487.3363 or email him aCluley@emich.edu.

Another Ann Arbor City Council member is seeking outgoing Mayor John Hieftje's job.
Third Ward Democrat Christopher Taylor today announced he's running for mayor in 2014.

Stephen Kunselman who also represents the third ward on council has already announced he's running, while Hieftje has said he won't seek re-election.