Throughout the summer, the City of Ypsilanti and Eastern Michigan University will be working on construction projects. The projects focus on accessibility and usability of parking lots and streets, water main repairs and replacements and sustaining native plants.
Ballard Street Parking Lot
Construction on the Ballard Street Parking Lot and neighboring alleyway began May 4, 2026 and may continue for up to three weeks. The project will focus on improving the accessibility and safety of the space as well as overall usability, Ypsilanti officials said on the city's Downtown Development Authority website. The Ballard Lot and alleyway will be closed until construction is finished.
Freighthouse Parking Lot
Construction on the Freighthouse Parking lot is planned to begin Monday, May 11, 2026, and is expected to continue for three weeks. The project will focus on increasing the number of parking spaces, adding handicap parking spaces and increasing overall accessibility, said information from the Ypsilanti DDA website. The Freighthouse Lot will be closed during construction, but visitors may park in the nearby Maple Street Parking lot at 75 Maple Street.
Harriet Street water main replacement and reconstruction
The Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority is continuing its work improving water mains in Harriet street. YCUA will be replacing water mains to reduce the risk of future breaks and improve water quality, said a statement from the City of Ypsilanti May 2026 newsletter. Drivers should continue using already-established detours for traveling westbound on Harriet street.
Recreation Park Rain Garden and Candy Cane Park Prairies
This summer, the city of Ypsilanti is working with the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner's office to create two wet meadows. One in Recreation Park and one in Candy Cane Park. The wet meadows are meant to help manage retained storm water and maintain native plants, said information on the City of Ypsilanti website.
Pierce Hall Renovations
Pierce Hall has been under renovation since the start of the winter 2026 semester and is expected to be finished by the start of the fall 2027 semester. When finished, Pierce Hall will house EMU's College of Business. Swoop's Pantry will continue to operate as usual out of Pierce Hall throughout construction.
Campus Repavement Project
Throughout the month of May, several parking lots and streets on campus will be repaved. Those locations will be either intermittently or completely closed to accommodate the project. The Pease Lot will be completely closed until May 15, 2026. East Circle Dr., Best Dr., St. Johns Dock Dr., Judy Sturgis Hill Circle and Dock and Sill Dock Dr. will be intermittently closed. The project is intended to create safer campus parking lots and streets. A map of closed locations can be found here.
