Fourth Avenue Street & Transit Improvements

Fourth Ave. Street & Transit Improvements

Construction is expected to start May 4, 2026, and be completed by December, 2026.

The project will:

• Enhance bus boarding and operations.
• Improve the physical accessibility of the block for people of all ages and abilities.
• Add amenities for people taking the bus and walking – benches, trees, new streetlights, trash cans, and public art.
• Support bicycle travel, although designated bike lanes are not proposed due to the limited width of the right-of-way.
• Update infrastructure and improve stormwater management.
• Incorporate infrastructure to support the Ann Arbor Housing Commission (AAHC) project at 350 S. Fifth Ave.

The goal of this project is to create a street that functions as an extension of the AAATA transit center and is safer and more comfortable for all users, particularly those taking the bus. Whether they’re waiting for the bus, walking with a friend, or biking to work, everyone should feel welcome on Fourth Ave. The project will also support the adjacent affordable housing project at 350 S. Fifth Avenue. Investment in affordable housing near transit, biking, and walking opportunities is key to reducing living expenses and meeting the city’s climate neutrality goals.

Location

Fourth Ave. between William St. and Liberty St, including the Liberty St. intersection.

Partners

The Ann Arbor DDA is the lead agency and will work closely with City Engineering and other departments as necessary, as well as the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (AAATA) and the Ann Arbor Housing Commission (AAHC). Questions about this project should be directed to Nani Wolf at the Ann Arbor DDA: nwolf@a2dda.org

Project Funding

$5.5 million grant dollars were leveraged in this project. The DDA and City are allocating $4,300,000 from the Michigan Talent Partnership Program from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation  towards the AAHC affordable housing project and TheRide’s transit center expansion at 350 S. Fifth Avenue. Additionally, $800,000 MEDC Revitalization & Placemaking Grant and $400,000 from MDOT Safe Streets & Spaces Grant used for this project.

What to Expect & Timeline

Before the complete reconstruction starts, DTE will be replacing gas lines in Fourth Avenue. Part of the roadway will be temporarily closed to accommodate the DTE work in spring of 2026. Additionally, the DDA will be washing and repainting the exterior of the Fourth & William parking structure in early spring, which may require a temporary sidewalk closure.

• Construction begins: May 4, 2026.
• Construction pauses: July 10-26, 2026.
• Construction ends: December, 2026.
• Landscaping is installed: July 1, 2027.

Construction will pause from July 10 to July 26. The Liberty intersection will be reopened to pedestrian traffic for Art Fair and other major events occurring in July. The William Street Bikeway will remain the same through July 20, after which it will be shifted several feet south to allow for underground utility work. This shift will include protective barricades and will not affect the entire bikeway, only the portion that crosses Fourth Avenue. There will be 1 week of the summer where the bike lane is closed completely.

Contact Information

For project questions, please contact Nani Wolf, Planning Specialist (nwolf@a2dda.org). For questions or coordination during construction, please contact Felipe Uribe, PE, Construction Engineer (FUribe@WadeTrim.com).

Project Information

• Public Workshops and Engagement
  • Public Workshop Boards (October 2024)
  • Public Workshop Presentation (October 2024)
  • Public Downtown Planning Open House (March 2024)
  • Public Engagement Presentation (March 2021)
• Commission on Disability Issues Presentations
  • November 19, 2025 Meeting PowerPoint
  • November 19, 2025 Meeting Memorandum
  • December 2025 Follow-Up Memorandum
• Capital Improvements Committee Presentations and Board Presentations
  • June 2021 Presentation
  • January 2023 Presentation and Contract Discussion
  • April 2023
  • August 2025 Presentation
• City Council
  • Presentation for City Council Planning Session (December 8, 2025)
• DDA Board
  • DDA Board resolution supporting design contracting cost share agreement (February 2023)
• Helpful Related Pages
  • AAHC 350 S. Fifth Ave. Project Webpage
  • City of Ann Arbor Capital Improvements Plan (CIP)

Project History

People-Friendly Streets (DDA)

The DDA’s People-Friendly Streets (PFS) initiative began in 2018 – prioritizing people, placemaking, and resilience. When the DDA began a second round of PFS projects, the Fourth Ave. project was identified as an opportunity to encourage transit ridership and support affordable housing.  A preliminary conceptual design was prepared during this process and defines width of travel lanes and sidewalks, bus loading areas, and general locations streetscape and transit amenities.

See a public engagement summary for PFS projects.

AAATA

The AAATA has utilized S 4th Avenue (northbound), along with the adjacent Blake Transit Center (BTC), as its primary transit hub in downtown Ann Arbor for over 35 years. Currently, the AAATA has four bus bays along the curb on 4th Avenue. Various transit elements have been added to the sidewalk as the system has grown to ensure the safety and comfort of AAATA customers.  With continued system growth and development of the adjacent lot at 350 S 5th Avenue, the AAATA and the DDA have partnered to further enhance bus operations, as well as the pedestrian and transit friendliness of the street, sidewalk, and curb. Initial concepts were drawn in 2021 as the partnership between the AAATA, the DDA, City, and Housing Commission were formalized for the significant redevelopment occurring around the BTC.  Additional design work for 4th Avenue is now underway.

AAHC

The City partnered with the Ann Arbor Housing Commission (AAHC) to conduct a feasibility study, which determined that 350 S. Fifth, the former YMCA site, is large enough to provide affordable housing units in addition to market rate units and some non-residential use. With this direction, AAHC worked with Smithgroup to conduct two years of community engagement that resulted in a conceptual plan for the site. AAHC and SmithGroup are now working toward toward final site plan approval. The design concept and project details can be viewed here.

• Maximize affordable housing units
• Maximize market-rate housing
• Develop a mix of housing types and prices
• Expand the Blake Transit Center
• Activate the ground floor for public benefit
• Maintain some city ownership/control
• Recapture the cost of purchase
• Appropriately scale down to the lower-density area south of William Street

City of Ann Arbor

The Fourth Avenue Project is included in the City of Ann Arbor’s Capital Improvements Plan (CIP).