Spec Houses & Roundabouts

August's Question Corner

by Tim Athan

posted 8/17/2009

Q: What is the story behind the houses being built on the northeast corner of Nixon and Bluett? Why would anyone build a bunch of new houses in this economic climate?

A: The developer, Mohammad Sarwar, moved to Ann Arbor to be near Nadia, his daughter. He bought land from Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church and won approval for the ten-house Nadia Court project more than two years ago. The market has since deteriorated and Nadia has moved out of town. But trusting in the stability provided by the university and medical center, Sarwar is proceeding with the project. Five of the homes, priced in the $350s, are well along, and one is being shown.

Q: How many more roundabouts is the city planning in addition to the new one at Huron Parkway and Nixon?

A: At the moment, the city plans to build only one, at Geddes and Earhart--but as part of the same project the Michigan Department of Transportation will replace two nearby stoplights at Geddes and US-23 with roundabouts, creating a series of three traffic circles.   

[Originally published in August, 2009.]