The Price is Right

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David's opinion may be clouded by the damage two years of construction did to his business, the Herb David Guitar Studio, which celebrates its fiftieth anniversary November 22 (see Events). Sales "went down big time, 50 percent," he says, "and it remains to be seen if it'll come back up." Business has improved since the structure opened, David says, "but it's nothing like it was before."

Other neighbors are happier. "The comments I've heard have been positive so far," says Josie Parker, director of the Ann Arbor downtown library just across from the four-level underground structure. "I have parked in it and found it easy to navigate, and I like the open design and the natural light."

"The lighting is fluorescent with white-painted ceilings, so it's very bright," explains Roger Hewitt, treasurer of the Downtown Development Authority. Architect Carl Luckenbach "turned a mundane piece of construction into something exciting. We've heard nothing but very positive comments."