The Ann Arbor Police are hoping somebody will provide them information about the suspicious fire that destroyed the former Technology Center, a large building a couple blocks west of Main Street formerly home to a variety of artist studios, practice spaces, and warehouse units. Purchased by the YMCA for their new building, the Technology Center burned while it was being demolished late last summer.

“Someone knows more about the fire in the community that could assist the police department in the investigation,” Monroe said. “If they understood the risk to the firefighters, neighborhoods and homes, I’m sure they would feel obligated to come forward.”

The flier does not take responsibility for the fire, but notes, “In the end, this building got to leave on its own terms, in a burst of artistic irony. No bulldozers determined its fate, just pure hot flame.”

In related news, the city council is finally realizing the AATA intends to tear down the low income housing units in the old YMCA building, and seems to be entertaining the idea of purchasing the building outright. (“Housing conflicts may stall new YMCA”)

While I’m not sure how it could best be managed, it seems to me a compromise could be found: part of the property could be sold to the AATA for an expanded bus station, the current low-income housing units could be preserved, and some of the old Y building could be rented for general commercial use, to compensate for the loss of the Technology Center. While such pipe dreams would require extremely innovative site planning, I’m sure somebody at the Taubman College would be willing to put their mind to it.

A 70-year-old probate judge died at last weekend’s Indiana-Michigan football game, apparently of a heart attack.

It’s also time for … Student Ghetto Break-ins:

“800 block of Tappan Street, 1:27 p.m. Sunday. Entry through unlocked back door; two purses with cash and keys taken.

500 block to Benjamin Street, 8 a.m. Saturday. Entry through unlocked door; laptop computer, cell phone, wireless card, purse and contents, and a gift card taken. Total value: $2,785″ (From the AANews)

Michigan Review Assistant Editor Matt Mulder has started what he describes as “Michigan’s Only Men’s Magazine,” a Michigan-oriented online magazine for men. The inaugural issue is already online, and features a review of Outkast’s latest CD, a piece complaining about the athletic department’s student ticketing policies, and a sex advice column (”What’s the big deal with women and porn?”), among others. Where, exactly did the idea for the magazine come from? Mulder explains:

“The founding moments of this magazine were the essence of the college male:

Then I opened my mouth: “Hey, what we should really do is start a men’s magazine for the University of Michigan. We could all write whatever the hell we wanted, and we could get girls to pose for us. Hell, we could even get a real men’s magazine to sponsor us. It would be tight.”
[...]
Then, several months later, I was sitting at home and was completely bored. When I get bored, my imagination takes over, and for the split seconds that I can actually block girls out of my mind, I am able to think with much clarity and foresight. As such, I realized that making this idea a reality is simpler than I could have ever imagined … “

Well, I don’t know about you, but ESPN’s Sports Center is essential to my life. Add Mich Magazine to the “Ann Arbor Paper,” and “Moment,” a progressive political journal, as publications launched this year. Meanwhile, on the list of the recently departed, the Michigan Independent seems to have finally died, and The Agenda hasn’t been published for over a year, as far as I know.

Would you like to live in the Corner House Lofts now under construction on State Street? The 2 and 3-bedroom apartments, featuring 9-foot ceilings, central air conditioning, and on-site laundry will be avaliable from CMB management, although their website omits to say when the building will be completed, or what the rent will be. They also have posted a large architectural drawing of the building.

A couple photos: the Geoff Larcom ad, and a photo of the Planada Building taken today, slated for demolition sometime this fall.

This event looks interesting …

“GREAT EVENT This Monday night! Come see our FABULOUS State Rep Chris Kolb debate Republican UM Regent Andrew Richner! MONDAY NIGHT 7p.m. in Hale Auditorium at the B-School. The topic is “Government’s Role in the Future of Business” so come with lots of questions about corporate responsibility! Sponsored by Alpha Kappa Psi Business Fraternity.”

I thought I’d note another Ann Arbor-related blog I’ve come across recently. Former resident Richard James Murphy writes about a variety of issues including planning on his blog “Common Monkeyflower,” recently commenting on my posts about Jane Jacobs and sidewalk safety, and land economics and the “Corner House Lofts” on State Street.