Ann Arbor & Washtenaw County
Around Town
RE/MAX Platinum Ann Arbor’s October 23 edition gives buyers, sellers and current residents a practical read on housing decisions, transit planning, neighborhood changes, local businesses and the week ahead.
One housing opening—and two different stages of development review
Avalon’s first Ypsilanti development has officially opened
Avalon Housing says 206 N. Washington St. officially opened with an October 15 ribbon cutting. The completed building contains twenty-two one-bedroom apartments, including eight supportive-housing units targeted to people moving out of homelessness. Avalon said residents would begin moving in within weeks.
This is an opening, not an announcement of currently available apartments. Anyone seeking housing should use Avalon’s official finding-housing information for eligibility and application status rather than treating the ribbon cutting as an invitation to apply. For residents and people comparing Ypsilanti locations, the practical milestone is the addition of a small, service-connected affordable-housing community near downtown.
A 342-unit Stadium–Industrial proposal was rejected in its submitted form
Ann Arbor City Council rejected a zoning and redevelopment proposal covering about forty-one acres near East Stadium Boulevard and South Industrial Highway. The submitted concept called for 342 apartments as part of a larger mixed-use plan. The rejection means that proposal did not receive the requested approval; it is not a development now under construction.
Source: MLive, “A zoning Frankenstein? 41-acre proposal rejected by Ann Arbor officials,” October 2026.
For a nearby home search, the sound approach is to evaluate the corridor as it exists today and watch for any future filing. A rejection does not prevent every later application, but it also does not support assumptions about when, whether or in what form housing could return.
The former University Inn plan received a financing approval, not a completion
City Council approved a brownfield tax-increment-financing plan tied to redevelopment of the former University Inn site at 2424 E. Stadium Blvd. The city’s project page describes a proposed six-story residential building with roughly 300 apartments and three four-unit townhouse buildings. That public financing action and an earlier planning approval are important steps, but the apartments are not finished or available merely because the plan advanced.
Sources: City of Ann Arbor project page for 2424 E. Stadium; MLive, “Ann Arbor OKs tens of millions of dollars in tax incentives for new apartments,” October 2026.
These three stories should not be blended into a single “new housing” count. One community has opened, one submitted redevelopment was rejected, and one project advanced through a financing decision. Each has a different implication for today’s housing choices.
TheRide’s $6.6 million award funds a BRT study—not a new route yet
The Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority announced $6.6 million in state funding to study bus rapid transit along the Washtenaw Avenue, Huron Street and Jackson Avenue corridor. TheRide says the work will collect and analyze data and public input, begin preliminary engineering and seek federal approval for a BRT concept.
Source: TheRide, October 13, 2026.
The key word is study. The award does not mean a BRT service is open or that a final alignment, stop pattern or construction schedule has been set. For someone comparing homes along the corridor, use current bus schedules for today’s commute and follow TheRide’s public-engagement process for future possibilities. Do not price a home or plan a move around a service that is still being defined.
Property and neighborhood actions from the October 19 council meeting
City Council approved buying 124 Felch St. for up to $393,400, including closing costs. The city says the property lies in the Allen Creek floodway and intends to remove the existing structure to reduce flood risk. A future stormwater park on adjacent city property is being explored; it has not been presented as a completed park.
Council also approved converting Carey Street to northbound-only traffic between Division and Depot streets, and asked the Planning Commission to develop zoning recommendations for areas south and east of downtown and U-M’s Central Campus. That zoning action begins recommendation work and resident engagement; it is not itself an adopted rezoning of every affected parcel.
For owners and buyers near any civic project, distinguish the action Council actually took from ideas that remain under study. The city’s meeting record and project pages are the right places to track later design, demolition, public-hearing or implementation dates.
Three business changes to put on an everyday-errands map
Shawarmix Grill has opened on Cross Street near Eastern Michigan University in the former Got Burger space. The restaurant’s current menu and hours are available directly from the business. For people learning central Ypsilanti, it adds another food stop close to campus, but one opening should be weighed as part of the larger mix of groceries, services, transit and regular destinations.
Sources: The Eastern Echo, October 2026; Shawarmix Grill.
At University Towers, Keg N Bottle has replaced Champions Liquor. Dave Algase’s Observer report covers the change; the retailer’s own site is the place to confirm its current inventory and hours before a visit.
Sources: Dave Algase, “Another Round of Drinks at University Towers,” Ann Arbor Observer, October 2026; Keg N Bottle.
Rendel’s Upholstery is continuing under Brehima Sidibe, a longtime employee who has taken ownership. Algase’s reporting frames this as a transition within an operating local service business, not a storefront closure. Residents planning furniture work should still confirm the current shop process, lead time and hours directly.
Sources: Dave Algase, “Adopted Son Inherits Rendel’s Upholstery,” Ann Arbor Observer, October 2026; Rendel’s Upholstery.
Still ahead: October 25–November 25, 2026
Organizer details checked October 24. These listings were still ahead when this edition was published. Follow the organizer link before leaving for availability or late changes; all times are Eastern.
Sunday, October 25: Jekyll & Hyde
Ann Arbor Civic Theatre lists a 2 p.m. Sunday performance of Jekyll & Hyde at the Arthur Miller Theatre, 1226 Murfin Ave. The organizer lists the performance as sold out. It advises patrons to check the ticket page for returned tickets or ask the box office about any same-day availability; listed prices are $29 general admission, $26 for seniors and $20 for students.
Organizer: Ann Arbor Civic Theatre.
October 26–28: Octubafest
U-M’s School of Music, Theatre & Dance lists three free Octubafest performances at Britton Recital Hall in the Earl V. Moore Building, beginning Monday, October 26, at 7:30 p.m. The series continues October 27 and 28. No tickets are required for the Monday performance, according to the organizer.
Organizer: University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance.
Thursday, October 29: animator James Baxter at the Michigan Theater
The Penny Stamps Speaker Series presents animator James Baxter at 5:30 p.m. at the Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty St. Stamps lists the talk as open to the public and free of charge.
Organizer: U-M Stamps School of Art & Design.
Through November 25: Blood Battle
Blood Drives United lists the annual Michigan–Ohio State Blood Battle through November 25. Its largest drive, Be a Hero at the Big House, is scheduled for Sunday, November 1, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Michigan Stadium’s Jack Roth Suites. Use the organizer’s schedule to find an appointment and check eligibility before going.
Organizer: Blood Drives United; 2026 drive schedule.
An event can be a useful anchor for an area visit, but it is only one moment. Return at the time you would normally commute or run errands, and test the parking, walking or transit connection that fits your own routine.
This is a dated community edition. Reported plans, schedules, programs and business details may change. Linked publishers retain their reporting and images; some stories require a subscription. Practical real-estate context is our own and does not imply publisher endorsement. No event or business listing is paid placement.
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