Whose vision will prevail in Ann Arbor?

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Reconciling those differences will test the skills of the "new urbanist'' planners at the Berkeley-based Calthorpe Associates. It will, more importantly, test city leaders and residents long after the consultants have moved on.

It's worth remembering that the planning initiative began with Mayor John Hieftje who, following voter approval of a greenbelt program, created a task force to identify obstacles to increasing residential development in the downtown.

Hieftje plainly imagines a bustling, 24/7 mini-urban center - and sees it as a way of promoting a healthy economy.

There's plenty to support that vision. And the City Council and Downtown Development Authority, which contributed some $200,000 to the Calthorpe project, are on board.

Still, it's a vision that necessarily revolves around upscale dining, shopping and entertainment opportunities and a demographically skewed population. Consider the picture of downtown Ann Arbor, circa 2030, forecast in Calthorpe's final workshop:

Commercial space that's used less and less for office and more for restaurants and entertainment establishments.

New residential units occupied primarily by retired baby boomers, U-M alum and young professionals.

Continued movement toward Ann Arbor as a regional destination.

Not an unpleasant prospect, but not a description of a well-balanced downtown either.

Yes, there will undoubtedly be attempts to address affordability in Calthorpe's proposals. But, there's a limit to what's feasible. And it remains clear that addressing the obstacles to building additional housing on available site outside the immediate downtown area is vital, too.

Whether your primary concern is the floodplain, Aspen-ization or creating a greenway, it's safe bet there's something in this project for you. The Calthorpe recommendations are due Dec. 5. Stay tuned.

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