ANN ARBOR, MI - Ann Arbor is getting ready to break ground on a major street reconstruction and streetscape improvement project in Kerrytown, one expected to last from spring to fall.

The city and the Downtown Development Authority are teaming up to make several million dollars worth of improvements on Fifth Avenue and Detroit Street by the Farmers Market and Community High, giving the worn-out area a makeover and redesign.

The construction is scheduled to begin in early April and finish in November.

During various phases of construction, a number of parking spaces near the market will be out of service or more difficult to access, so the DDA is planning to allow free parking in the Ann/Ashley garage on Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 24 through November, said DDA Executive Director Susan Pollay.

Plans for improvements along Fifth Avenue and Detroit Street by the Ann Arbor Farmers Market. (Drawing by consultant SmithGroupJJR.)

The free parking promotion is intended to strengthen visibility and use of the Ann/Ashley garage on Saturdays by Kerrytown visitors, customers and employees.

According to the DDA, visitor parking demand is greatest on Saturdays when the Farmers Market is open.

The Farmers Market operates on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. January through April, and on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. May through December.

The City Council last week approved a cost-sharing agreement with the DDA for the reconstruction of Fifth Avenue from Catherine to Kingsley and Detroit Street from Kingsley to Fifth Avenue.

The project includes brick paver replacement, about 2,000 feet of six-inch water main replacement with 12-inch water main, stormwater infiltration and storm sewer replacement, sidewalk and ramp replacement, crosswalk improvements, streetlight replacement, and extensive streetscape improvements.

The total estimated cost is $6.3 million, of which the DDA is expected to pay nearly $3.1 million, according to project budget information presented to the City Council last week.

The rest is being covered by $1.4 million from the city's street millage, $1 million from the city's water fund, $791,000 from the city's stormwater fund, $39,550 from the city's major streets fund, and $10,250 from the city's information technology fund.

The DDA separately had a $318,000 design budget for the project.

The City Council last week approved a $3.7 million contract with Fonson Company Inc. of Brighton to serve as the main contractor for the project, with a $668,000 contingency fund for possible changes.

The low bid from Fonson was about $1.7 million under the engineer's estimate.

The city's pre-bid information presented in December indicated the plan was to start the project by late March or early April, with completion by Nov. 9, with one lane on Fifth Avenue to be maintained until Community High's summer recess on June 18, and during Art Fair from July 18-22, as well as at school start on Sept. 4 through completion of the project. A staff memo to council last week indicated the plan now is to start construction in early April.

While the Ann/Ashley parking garage is very busy during weekdays, sometimes filling up to capacity, DDA officials note it has ample space on weekends. The DDA estimates the value of the free parking on Saturdays during the upcoming promotion will be $24,000.

While alleviating construction-related parking issues is one goal, the DDA also hopes it encourages more people to use the garage on Saturdays even after the Fifth/Detroit project is done.

The DDA hopes to break ground on a vertical expansion of the Ann/Ashley garage by this fall.