From the AATA:

AATA buses to board on Fourth Avenue during former YMCA demolition

ANN ARBOR, MI – Boarding locations for all bus routes based at the Blake Transit Center (BTC) will be located along both sides of Fourth Avenue between Liberty and William streets during the upcoming demolition of the former YMCA building.

According to Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (AATA) Manager of Community Relations Mary Stasiak, buses that usually board in the transit mall area between the BTC and the demolition site, as well as buses that board along Fourth Avenue next to the former YMCA building, will be moved to the opposite side of Fourth starting on Monday, March 31.

“AATA has been working closely with the Downtown Development Authority and the contractor to develop the best possible staging plan for the buses. We want to ensure the utmost safety for our passengers, motor coach operators, pedestrians and other drivers,” Stasiak said.

“Routes 2, 8 and 15 will have designated boarding locations along the west side of Fourth Avenue in front of Champion House, Studio 4 and the Fourth Avenue Parking Structure. Routes 1, 4, 5, 6 and 7 will not have designated locations, but will board beside the parking structure in the order in which they arrive.”

Routes 3, 9, 12A, 12B, 13, 14 and 16 will continue to board along the east side of Fourth Avenue in their current locations.

To make it easier and safer for passengers to cross Fourth Avenue, a temporary crosswalk will be installed.

During the demolition and subsequent paving of a surface parking lot on the Fifth and William site, protective fencing will be in place that will enclose the transit mall area and demolition site, but passengers will be able to access the BTC lobby through the Fourth Avenue door.

The boarding plan also requires the relocated routes to use minor detours to arrive at and depart from their boarding locations. For a complete list of detours, visit www.TheRide.org, or call 734.973.6500.

The demolition project and alternate boarding plan are expected to continue until some time in June.