Bold opening: Communities deserve a voice even when stories feel small, because the choices around landmarks and data centers shape everyday life for years to come. But here’s where it gets controversial: the balance between preserving memory and paving the way for new opportunities isn’t obvious, and it sparks strong opinions on every side.
Hello, Ann Arbor: Two University of Michigan landmarks eyed for demolition
- Ann Arbor (https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/)
Published: Dec. 05, 2025, 10:00 a.m.
By Samuel Dodge | sdodge@mlive.com
ANN ARBOR, MI — This week brought big headlines in Ann Arbor, centered on the removal of two well-known University of Michigan landmarks. Nostalgia doesn’t hit everyone equally, but memories tied to these sites are hard to ignore.
City reporter Ryan Stanton reported on the elm trees in decline along the Law Quadrangle, which have been reduced to stumps. Those trees aren’t just landscape; they’ve framed many moments—from building and knocking down a snowman with fraternity brothers to watching orange and red leaves drift by while sharing football memories with a son.
I’ll carry those memories forward, even as the 52-year-old Wolverine Tower heads toward demolition. To borrow a line from a favorite 1990s comedy: the sentiment is complicated, but the decision feels straightforward in its own way: goodbye to a maverick piece of campus architecture.
This isn’t personal. The building has always been a peculiar fit for university offices, located off-campus with a non-descript design that doesn’t shout “icon.” My years covering historical preservation in Ann Arbor have made me wary of bulldozing memory, but this is one case where I don’t expect widespread mourning (though I’m open to being proven wrong—email sdodge@mlive.com if you think the opposite).
In other news, data centers dominated Washtenaw County headlines again. As MLive statewide reporter and former Ann Arbor News writer Lucas Larson-Smolcic notes, nearly 1,000 residents packed a public hearing arguing for a slower review of DTE Energy’s plan to boost electric sales for the OpenAI/Oracle data center project in Saline Township.
DTE contends that bypassing some public input is necessary or the $7 billion project could relocate to another state. They also claim that rates won’t rise, though advocacy groups remain skeptical.
In a column from earlier this month, it was argued that public voices must be heard in these hearings. Residents living near data centers will bear the consequences of these decisions, whether concerns revolve around electric bills, local environmental impact, or other issues. Those concerns deserve attention before any project proceeds.
The Michigan Public Service Commission could decide whether to fast-track the proposal on Friday, Dec. 5, or postpone the decision to Dec. 19. Slowing down to gain clarity for locals seems reasonable.
Beyond this, other data center developments surfaced: the Ypsilanti Township Board of Trustees discussed the possibility of the state reclaiming a $100 million grant tied to the University of Michigan’s collaboration with Los Alamos.
Additionally, York Township may see a new project on land owned by Toyota south of Ann Arbor. Real estate developers are eyeing 412 acres across from Toyota Motor North America’s R&D Headquarters, near Saline and Milan.
Away from data centers, county tensions have flared between Sheriff Alyshia Dyer and the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners. The board approved a measure to shift four human resources roles from the sheriff’s office to county administration, criticizing the sheriff’s office for “deeply poor judgment” and an inconsistent approach to personnel matters that created an unhealthy work environment. Dyer branded the resolution “factually incorrect, inflammatory, strategically short-sighted, disrespectful to my employees and violative of the Michigan constitution.”
This dispute echoes prior clashes over jail lockdowns as the board pushed budget cuts.
On a lighter note, business writer William Diep highlighted Max Schikora, the sober bar manager at Echelon, whose leadership has helped shape a new cultural moment in town. When Schikora embraced sobriety five years ago, Diep’s profile showed how trust in staff can unlock surprising stories—from the integrity of cocktail preparation to the resilience of a team navigating recovery. Schikora said, “If they think something needs to change, I’ll listen to their feedback because I trust them.” The takeaway is clear: good leadership and collaborative teams can uncover stories that resonate far beyond a single bar.
For Ann Arbor natives and newcomers alike, these currents—historic preservation debates, bold infrastructure projects, and local leadership dynamics—reveal a city in motion. Sam Dodge, a longtime editor at The Ann Arbor News and now a contributor at MLive since 2019, continues to map the pulse of this community as it evolves.
Would you like to dive deeper into any of these topics—for instance, a closer look at how data centers influence local power grids, or a historical profile of the Law Quad’s elm trees and their role in campus life? Share your thoughts in the comments: do you think preserving certain campus landmarks is essential, or should progress take priority when new opportunities arise?
