Southside BIZ & the City of Ann Arbor Partner to Beautify State Street

Ann Arbor’s Southside has been quietly building momentum for years, and we’re pleased to share that the Southside Business Improvement Zone has finalized a partnership with the City of Ann Arbor to bring new beautification improvements to the State Street medians. CEO of Oxford Companies, Jeff Hauptman, serves as Chair of the BIZ Board of Directors. The board’s dedication to this effort reflects a long-standing commitment to new investment, growing business activity and a strengthening sense of community in the Southside District.

What the State Street Project Involves

State Street’s medians have been filled with cracking, deteriorating asphalt for decades. The project will remove that aging infrastructure and replace it with updated landscaping and visual enhancements designed to improve the overall aesthetic of one of Ann Arbor’s most-traveled commercial corridors.

For Hauptman, this project is as much about what it represents as what it delivers physically.

“This project reflects what’s possible when property owners, community partners and the City come together around a shared vision,” he said. “Investing in thoughtful, high-quality public spaces along State Street not only improves the experience for residents and visitors but also reinforces the Southside as an important and growing part of Ann Arbor. We’re proud to be partners contributing to this collective effort.”

To hear more of Jeff Hauptman’s thoughts on the partnership between Southside BIZ and the city, check out his recent podcast appearance on The Lucy Ann Lance Show.

Construction is expected to begin in the fall, with improvements implemented in phases. The focus of this local development will be on sustainable landscaping and long-term maintenance that reflects the BIZ’s ongoing commitment to investing in public spaces that support nearby businesses, residents and visitors.

Coalition-Driven Effort in the Southside District

State Street is a primary artery into downtown Ann Arbor, and improving its appearance benefits everyone who travels through the Southside.

“This is truly a coalition-driven effort,” Hauptman said. “The Southside BIZ reflects the collective commitment of many partners who care deeply about the long-term vitality of this area.”

The Southside BIZ brings together a coalition of key stakeholders to fund and advance improvements across the district. Members include Briarwood Mall, MAVD, Kensington Hotel, CIG, Destination Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor SPARK and a number of other area property owners.

Daniel Fine, a BIZ board member and managing director of The Kensington Hotel on State Street, sees this project as a move in the right direction. “This is a great first step for Southside BIZ as we partner with the City of Ann Arbor, which we hope will be a catalyst for additional private investment and greater local-area business involvement,” he said.

About the Southside BIZ

The Southside Business Improvement Zone is a public body corporate committed to enhancing the Southside area through strategic investments in beautification, infrastructure and placemaking. Working in partnership with local stakeholders and public entities, the BIZ aims to create a more connected, vibrant and welcoming district for all. Learn more at southsidebiz.com.