City of Ypsilanti

The meeting served as a visioning session focusing on the long-term future of Water Street. Key topics included a backcasting exercise to plan from a hundred-year perspective, defining the role of developers in upcoming projects, and establishing community values and principles to guide future RFQ processes. Participants discussed the alignment of committee goals, the importance of public ownership, and methods for addressing ideological tensions within the group.

The committee discussed the recent site visit, expressing interest in preserving native vegetation and implementing informative signage similar to Lily Park. Plans for a potential secondary site visit were discussed to allow more community participation and inform future project development, with considerations regarding public notice requirements and timing.

The committee reviewed maps of the Water Street site, discussed development capacity, and connectivity to trails. Key discussions centered on the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) document, including the incorporation of the 100-year vision, environmental factors for development and greenspace, potential taxable income impacts of public land, and tribal historic preservation outreach. The meeting also addressed the selection of a new chair and vice chair.

The board meeting focused on the approval of Resolution No. 2026-001, which authorizes the appointment of Chairs and Inspectors to serve during the upcoming Primary Election.

The council held a closed session regarding labor negotiations. Key actions included the approval of the sale of city-owned parcels to the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority for a new transit center, the appointment of a new member to the Police Advisory Commission, and the appointment of two residents to the Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority Board. The council also authorized a service agreement renewal with CivicPlus for online municipal services and addressed a motion regarding the removal of a homeless encampment, which was ultimately tabled. Several other agenda items, including a collective bargaining agreement and a millage support resolution, were postponed to a future meeting.