Around Town

The Gelman agreement starts enforceable investigation and cleanup work; it is not a finished remedy

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a legal agreement with Gelman Sciences to address dioxane contamination in soil and groundwater around the former Scio Township manufacturing property. The agreement follows the site’s March 2026 addition to the federal Superfund National Priorities List.

EPA says Gelman must conduct a remedial investigation and feasibility study, excavate contaminated soil on the property, expand groundwater extraction and treatment in the eastern portion of the plume, install monitoring wells, and pay for a technical adviser who can help the community interpret the process. Those are concrete obligations, but they are the start of additional investigation and remedy selection—not a declaration that the aquifer has been restored.

Sources: U.S. EPA, October 23, 2026; Heather Finch, “The Gelman Plume: Waiting for a Remedy,” Ann Arbor Observer.

For a home search, plume maps and official testing records matter more than neighborhood shorthand. Buyers should review current environmental information for a specific property and discuss appropriate due diligence with qualified inspectors or environmental professionals; a regional headline cannot answer a parcel-level question. Residents can follow EPA’s site page for investigation documents, public meetings and later remedy decisions.

The north-side Village of Ann Arbor plan has a city brownfield approval, not 613 completed homes

Ann Arbor City Council approved an amended brownfield plan on September 22 for the Village of Ann Arbor development. The city record describes a revised concept with 613 residences—133 for-sale homes and 480 rentals—and approximately $221 million in private investment.

The amendment raises eligible brownfield costs to about $39 million. The city staff report says reimbursement would come only from future tax-increment revenue generated by the project; it is not an up-front city payment or a direct city obligation. City approval of that financing plan is one stage. County review, construction scheduling, individual building permits and the eventual availability of homes are separate milestones, so the 613 units should not be treated as inventory people can shop today.

Sources: City of Ann Arbor resolution R-26-344 and staff materials, approved September 22, 2026; MLive, October 2026.

For households comparing the north side, the useful distinction is between the place that exists now and a multi-stage development plan. Test today’s route to work, schools, groceries and parks. Track public records for later approvals and construction dates, but avoid assuming a completion date, traffic result or effect on home values that the available record does not establish.

Downtown moves: one bookstore plans ahead, one diner has reopened

Literati plans a 2027 move to South Ashley

Literati Bookstore plans to relocate from 124 E. Washington St. to the former Downtown Home & Garden property at 210 S. Ashley St. The bookseller hopes to open a pop-up in part of the property later in 2026 and complete the larger move in 2027. Until the business announces otherwise, the current Washington Street store remains the operating location.

Sources: Jeanne Hodesh, “We’re Storytellers,” Ann Arbor Observer; Patrick Dunn, WEMU, October 28, 2026.

The planned move links two familiar downtown storefronts, but it should not be described as complete. People using the shop today should confirm events and hours at Literati’s current location; those following the Ashley Street block can watch the store’s own announcements for the pop-up and full-opening dates.

Blimpy Burger reopened October 28

Krazy Jim’s Blimpy Burger has reopened at 304 S. Ashley St. following a renovation and ownership transition. The restaurant’s official site lists daily hours of 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Those hours can change, so the business remains the best source before a special trip.

Sources: Micheline Maynard, “Blimpy Burger Returns in a Less Stressful Form,” Ann Arbor Observer; Krazy Jim’s Blimpy Burger.

A bookstore’s future relocation and a restaurant’s completed reopening are different kinds of news. Together they are useful for mapping errands and gathering places, but neither supports a claim about neighborhood desirability or home prices.

Two timely community resources

Election information for November 3

Ann Arbor voters can use the city’s official election page to confirm registration, their assigned Election Day polling place and current early-voting information. The city says polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3, and early voting continues through Sunday, November 1. Voters normally assigned to Slauson precincts 5-45 are temporarily voting at Bach Elementary for this election. Confirm your own location before leaving; this is logistical information, not commentary on any candidate or proposal.

Source: City of Ann Arbor Elections.

SOS Community Services holiday assistance

SOS Community Services is collecting $10–$25 gift cards for Target, Meijer and Walmart during the first week of December. The organization’s 2026 goal is to support fifty families with $50 in gift cards per household member. Its holiday page also lists apartment, food and toiletry drives for people who prefer to contribute supplies.

Source: SOS Community Services, Holiday Gifts.

Use the organization’s page for the current drop-off process and needed items. Publishing a goal is not the same as confirming that every requested household has been matched, so donors should rely on SOS for live status.

Still ahead: November 1–8, 2026

Event leads were reported by Jennifer Taylor in a2view; organizer details were checked October 31. These listings were still ahead when this edition was published. Follow the organizer link before leaving for availability or late changes; all times are Eastern.

Sunday, November 1: All Hallows Illumination of Frog Island

Ypsilanti’s All Hallows Illumination is scheduled for 6–9 p.m. at Frog Island Park, 699 Rice St. The free gathering invites visitors to bring a carved pumpkin illuminated with an LED light; organizers list live jazz and a community jack-o’-lantern display. Check the event page for weather or site updates.

Organizer listing: All Hallows Illumination of Frog Island.

Monday, November 2: Pleasure, Desire, and Addiction in the Brain

U-M professor Kent Berridge presents a free public talk from 6–7:30 p.m. in the fourth-floor meeting room at the Ann Arbor District Library’s Downtown branch. The program is part of U-M Psychology’s community talk series; no event ticket is listed, but capacity and late changes remain the organizer’s call.

Organizer: University of Michigan Events.

November 5–8: La Rondine

U-M’s School of Music, Theatre & Dance opens Puccini’s La Rondine at the Power Center on Thursday, November 5, at 7:30 p.m., with additional performances through November 8. The organizer lists reserved seating and multiple price tiers; use the official ticket page for the performance you want and current availability.

Organizer: University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance.

An event is a good reason to experience a place, but it captures one time and one crowd. If you are considering a move, return during your normal commute and test the streets, parking, transit and errands that shape an ordinary week.

This is a dated community edition. Reported plans, schedules, programs and business details may change. Linked publishers retain their reporting and images; some stories require a subscription. Practical real-estate context is our own and does not imply publisher endorsement. No event or business listing is paid placement.

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