Downtown – Saline, Michigan
<blank" >target="_blank" >figure class="wp-block-image size-large">During our visit in February 2015, it was on a typically frigid Michigan mid-winter day. The temperatures were low and the wind was blowing. Still we enjoyed visiting this compact multi-block glossary/downtown/" class="glossaryLink" data-cmtooltip="b6a9ee3e25f1915dcae5cf89606b27d6" target="_blank" >downtown. As neighboring Ann Arbor has boomed, many companies have located in Saline benefiting from close proximity to Ann Arbor with lower rents.
One of the most substantial buildings was a brick two story building with raised brick pilasters and cornice crowned by a cornice.
A pair of buildings here have similar massing but very different features. The building to the right has paired windows with a segmental-arch/" class="glossaryLink" data-cmtooltip="6504ff85710e8fe6e08e51c7424b530f" target="_blank" >segmental arch in contrasting colored bricks overhead. The building to the left has been modernized.
This block has another handsome two-story building with bracketed cornice and window hoods with key-block/" class="glossaryLink" data-cmtooltip="18e1e910be5b69ba98964ad50655aaba" target="_blank" >keystone.
One of the best things Saline has going for it is inclusion in the Michigan Main Street program. This provides technical assistance and connections with other state and national downtown leaders.
The Farmers Market in Saline while having no permanent market sheds, does have a handsome sign. Also a bike rack and a doghouse send a signal to two key constituencies – dog owners and cyclists that they are welcome to participate in the market.
A doghouse built by volunteers was put here to recognize victims of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. People are welcome to bring their dogs and let them rest inside.
This stylized bike allows for parking when visiting the market.
Finally, just a few short blocks away this free library with bench provides a neighborly space to connect around a shared love of reading. In an interesting take on the Little Free Library movement, this one has a bench with a sculpture of a sitting child. Such a pairing suggests this library is more oriented towards kids and that there is always a buddy waiting to read together.