Local real estate developer Peter Allen encouraged Ann Arbor leaders to consider a broad vision for the future of the entire area surrounding the so-called Library Lot as they decide what will be built on the downtown site.

Allen addressed the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority's governing board today before it approved providing $50,000 to the city to hire a consultant to help evaluate proposals for the lot, a 1.2-acre site on South Fifth Avenue.

"To me, the issues that you are going to discuss about hiring this consultant relate to a timeless, 100-year decision about what is it that makes a great, great city," Allen said, suggesting the site has the potential to be "the place for Ann Arbor that you always want to take your guests - you always want to go to and walk through, that you want to say is an emblem about what is really special about Ann Arbor."

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