The Roadmap
Starting from Square One
Right now, the Southside doesn't make a great first impression. Chaotic traffic and crumbling infrastructure among a sea of concrete and parking lots. Nothing about it makes you feel like you've arrived somewhere special.
From wayfinding to landscaping, nothing currently makes you feel like you've arrived somewhere special.
Southside BIZ is going to change that, together with the City, our partners, and everyone who believes this neighborhood is worth investing in.
Where We’re Headed, Brick by Brick
The long-term vision is a neighborhood that earns its place as a true hub of Ann Arbor – walkable, green, vibrant, and welcoming. A place that reflects the character and creativity of the community it serves. A place where workers are glad to show up to, where visitors want to return to, and where residents are proud to call home.
Getting there means tackling the district's infrastructure and curb appeal brick by brick, starting with the most visible problems and building momentum toward a corridor and neighborhood Ann Arbor can be proud of.
Current Projects
State Street Median Beautification
Status: In Progress w/ Est. Completion Fall 2026
Before:After:What comes next?
The medians are just the opening salvo! The BIZ has a growing pipeline of projects focused on making this neighborhood more beautiful, more navigable, and more distinctly Ann Arbor, from public art that reflects our identity as a community, to signage that helps people find their way around, to infrastructure improvements that announce the Southside's presence.
Stay tuned! This page will be the place you’ll hear about ongoing progress and new project announcements. Join our email list to get the news first:
Have an idea?
The BIZ is community-driven, and the best ideas often come from the people who know this neighborhood best. If you have a thought about what would make the Southside better, we'd love to hear from you.