Notes from the Neighborhood

Now that the academic year has kicked in, along with the football season, things are becoming more dynamic in this town. 

After I left work on Saturday night, I walked over to the train station to see if the latest Michigan Rail Passenger newspaper had come out for the season (not yet). As I passed by Casey's Tavern, I could see the football game on the television through the window. I'd never realized how well it appears to be a sports bar from across the street. 

I guess we're doing something right over there. 

Some interesting things I have found of late in the neighborhood: 

• Summit Street party store carries eggs and a number of deli and hot food items for lunch. I stopped in one morning on my way to work and the fellow offered to make a fresh pot of coffee. Instead I opted for an orange soda from Iraq, I believe. 

• The Border to Border trail is very popular in this area, but a lot of people still aren't aware of the new access point through the tunnel by the Argo Dam. I imagine there will be more signs and wayfinding at some point, but for now it seems to be a secret pathway. You can find it at the intersection of 5th Avenue and Depot Street, aligned with the train boarding platform.

• The Broadway Park West development is slowly moving along. The earth moving machines have leveled out the site and now it is difficult to figure out just what is happening over there, if anything at the moment. 

• The construction on the east side of the Broadway Bridge is chaotic and extends into Pontiac Trail. I've started avoiding driving through this stretch and instead come into town by the hospital and turn at the top of Depot Street where it is still called Fuller. It is a rather pretty view of the river coming in this way.

• The Amtrak trains seem to be running very much on time these days. The 7:00 p.m. train has been quite consistent. I learned that the last train to Detroit is at 11 pm and folks can return to Ann Arbor at 6:30 am, which means Ann Arbor is in fact accessible by train for work if you live in Detroit. 

That's it for now. These notes from the neighborhood are part of my Depot Dispatch. 

Through the Looking Glass

Every week I walk along North Main Street and can look through this frame of train trestle and earth to see the development at Broadway Park West. 

So far they have mostly just flattened the earth in preparation for building, so you can still see the cityscape clearly in the background. 

I rather love this view.

© Dawn Nelson 2023. All Rights Reserved.

Broadway Park West

A view of the development site from the Argo Dam side. July 17, 2023. 

 

Broadway Park West development site as seen from the Broadway Bridge. July 17, 2023.

Copyright Dawn Nelson 2023. All Rights Reserved.

Depot Street Lately: A Transformation

Things are moving along at the Broadway West development along the river. 

The construction team have leveled out the dirt with the earth moving machines. It is a process that fascinates me as if I am still five years old. 

Watching the earth moving machines level out the dirt. July 6, 2023. © Dawn Nelson

In food and beverage news, there will soon be a beer garden opening at Casey's Tavern, across from the train station. Folks have been working on this project for a while. This year brings a complete transformation of the backyard at the old Washtenaw lumberyard. More on this later.

The Argo Nature area river bend boasts the Border to Border Trail, accessible through the tunnel off Depot Street, adjacent to the train station. This tiny little area is host to a multimodal transit center that is increasingly more diverse in transportation type (non-motorized, bus, train, car, scooter). I am still frustrated by the lack of basic taxi service, however. I am nostalgic for an old fashioned taxi stand. 

Notably, the intersection at 5th Avenue and Depot Street is a complicated one. From the river side park tunnel, there is a major pedestrian crossing that crosses Depot Street onto 5th Avenue alongside Wheeler Park. There are several bicycle lanes, some more well marked than others. If you are in a car, it can be a little overwhelming trying to make a left turn onto or off of Depot Street. I often wonder what can be done to minimize potential traffic conflict with bicycles, busses, and other vehicles. 

The intersection at 5th Avenue and Depot Street. © Dawn Nelson

I imagine all this commotion is what captures my heart as a street photographer. There is a lot going on, including being a major access corridor for a hospital further up the road. 

One of my favorite times of the day to be out taking photographs is in the morning around 10:30am, when the train pulls into the station and there is a vibrant sense of city bustle. 

I think I am simply a romantic at heart.

The morning train to Chicago. June 29, 2023. © Dawn Nelson

© Dawn Nelson 2023. All Rights Reserved.

About this blog

The Argo rapids letting into the Huron River. June 30, 2023.

On the north side of Ann Arbor there is a bend in the Huron River that winds along Depot Street, Wall Street, and Maiden Lane. It runs alongside an interesting mixed use development of commercial, residential, and light industrial. 

And, of course, the Michigan railroad. 

These are perfect conditions for a photographer and sustainability advocate to find plenty of things to portray.

I hope you enjoy reading about it as much as I enjoy writing about it. 

The morning train at the Ann Arbor station. June 29, 2023.

The view from the longterm train parking of the station. June 29, 2023.

The new riverside development project at Broadway Park. June 29, 2023.

© Dawn Nelson, 2023