Farmington : Development News

Construction started this week on a project to turn a beat up, outdated main street in downtown Farmington into a boulevard streetscape of greenery, decorative lighting and stamped walkways.

The $1.1-million Grove Street Reconstruction Project will also add parking to downtown and make over a tired strip retail center as well as connect it to a major pedestrian crosswalk that will lead to another shopping center.

Water mains will also be replaced and a plaza space with seating will be part of the new downtown layout.

The goal of city officials and the Downtown Development Authority is to make downtown more attractive, walkable, and busy as well as match it to a streetscape already redone. The plans call for turning a swath of pavement into a boulevard separated by a center island with angled parking along parts of it.

Mayor Tom Buck says the project is as much about attracting families to downtown as it is attracting small businesses and boosting the local economy.

The project will completely remove and replace Grove Street from Grand River to Main Street. The work was delayed in 2009 due to the costs. It is expected to be completed in two phases over a 10-week period and ready to use sometime in July.

Writer: Kim North  Shine
Source: Annette Knowles, executive director, Farmington Downtown Development Authority

Oakland County is trying to make starting a business or taking it to the next level easier for entrepreneurs by offering free, walk-in business counseling.

The One Stop Shop Business Center at the Oakland County Executive Office building, 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, in Waterford will open May 9 and offer regular walk-in hours after that. The hours for May 9 are 9:30-noon and 1:30-4:30. The business center is on the first floor of Building 41W.

“We usually operate on an appointment-only basis but many entrepreneurs walk into our One Stop Shop with questions on how to get started with their business idea,” says Greg Doyle, supervisor of the One Stop Shop Business Center. “By designating special walk-in days, we hope to reach more entrepreneurs and help them understand their next steps as well as present the resources we can make available to them. Our aim is to get them started quickly in a way that makes the most sense to their unique situation.”

Counselors at the business center can answer specific questions, suggest planning tools and give direction on where to go to solve problems or achieve goals. All sessions are confidential. The counselors have expertise in business development, community planning, financing and market research.

Writer: Kim North Shine
Source: Greg Doyle, supervisor, One Stop Shop Business Center

Just over 35 cities and townships in Michigan are joining a new state program that teaches them how to prepare their communities for redevelopment and attract the kind of development they want.

Of the cities accepted into the first round of training and certification in the Michigan Economic Development Corporation's Redevelopment Ready Communities program, eight are in metro Detroit. Ann Arbor is also on the list.

It, along with Lathrup Village and Novi, will receive a formal Redevelopment Ready Communities evaluation that could lead to certification as a Redevelopment Ready Community. This means they either have outlined or have plans to outline their redevelopment strategies and draw development to fit their community. This designation could also make them eligible for redevelopment grants.

Dearborn, Clawson, Farmington Hills, Hamtramck, Wixom, and White Lake Township will receive best practice training and assistance and could move onto the certification process later.

They all will learn how to creatively re-use space, support and attract economic innovation, and devise devise plans that bring in redevelopment investment and in turn rebuild thriving communities for employees, residents and recreation.

The program was originally launched by the Michigan Suburbs Alliance in 2003, and its success led to the state program.

Writer: Kim North Shine
Source: Kathy Fagan, spokesperson, Michigan Economic Development Corp.

Grand River, the rather suburban, nondescript swath of road that runs through Farmington and Farmington Hills, may be changing into a more welcoming, walkable, attractive Main Street.

The Grand River Corridor visioning process is an ongoing plan to revitalize the stretch of road between Mayfield in Farmington to 8 Mile in Farmington Hills, including parts of 8 Mile Road. The cities of Farmington and Farmington Hills are working together on a plan that could enter the construction and make-over phase as soon as October and be completed by April.

The public is invited to see the current plan and ideas on March 13, from 5-8 p.m. at the Botsford Hospital community room in Farmington Hills.

The purpose is to tie in public input to a working proposal to make Grand River a livable, working, gathering spot that's easy to navigate whether by car, bike or foot. Already about 300 ideas from business owners, city officials, planning consultants and various stakeholders have gone into the current, changing plan to rework the roadway into a more inviting commercial corridor.

“The planning team will showcase the visioning plan in written and graphic forms,” said Aaron Domini, Senior Planner with OHM Advisors. “This is the community’s chance to review the plan, provide feedback, and help shape the future of this important project."

For more information, go to www.fhgov.com/grandriver.

Writer: Kim North Shine
Source: Nate Geinzer, assitant to Farmington Hills city manager

Zach Peterlin and Kim Decapite are in the dating phase of their relationship, but they've already figured out how to marry their experience into a restaurant and bar in Farmington.

Peterlin's Restaurant & Bar opened about six months ago at the corner of Farmington Road and 9 Mile "and it's been even better than we thought. You never know. Starting a business is a big gamble," Peterlin says.

He says the reasons the customers are coming have to do with value for fresh-made food, customer service that is as much a business cornerstone as the menu, and with backgrounds that he and Decapite bring to the table.

Peterlin, an honors graduate in hospitality management from Northern Michigan University and an experienced chef in corporate and independent restaurants, brings a passion for original and creative foods.

Decapite, with her experience in fine food shops such as Alban's Bottle & Basket in Birmingham and for the last eight years at Joe's Produce and Gourmet Market in Livonia, has perfected a face-to-face, customer-comes-first attitude.

"It's hard to compete with the Subways and Little Caesars and their $5 meals. But it's all processed," Peterlin says. "I think we've found the right price point and we have the quality."

Peterlin also brought with him customers he had cultivated while working as a chef for other restaurants. They chose to open in Farmington because they live there and because they knew there was market potential, he says.

Peterlin and Dicapite met during a food and wine pairing course, and decided about a year ago to go into business for themselves.

"I had gone to work for J Alexander's right out of school and learned a lot. But I wanted to try to the independent thing. So I went to work for smaller, independents. I found out I like doing the independent thing, being creative and doing something that's special, Peterlin explains. "We think we've hit the right combination: a good price point, fresh food, great customer service. In these times you have to give people value and you have to give them what's going make them come back."

Writer: Kim North Shine
Source: Zach Peterlin, co-owner, Peterlin's Restaurant & Bar

Little lice - and the families who so desperately want to get rid of them - are responsible for the big growth of the Rapunzel's Lice Boutique, which opened its fourth salon last week in Farmington Hills.

Owner Sarah Casello-Rees, who opened the first boutique in Ann Arbor in 2009, says, "We've been doubling our growth every year."

Sure the ipads, lego tables and TVs have attracted notice for the family-oriented salons but for Rapunzel's growth has come because those pesky head bugs have built up a resistance to traditional treatments and parents want to avoid pesticides to treat a problem that can consume hours, days, weeks, looking for lice and picking nits.

The determined removal specialists at Rapunzel's use a heat treatment and manual removal, a one-time process that is guaranteed.

Rapunzel's started as a mobile operation called the Lice Brigrade in 2008.

"When we opened our first boutique we thought the name was a little too militaristic. We wanted something more comforting," says Casello-Rees.

About 15 employees work for the company and there are more job openings for removal technicians who are paid $25-$35 an hour.

Rapunzel's recently started offering a benefits package to employees.

"As an owner of the company we strive to offer outstanding customer service to the families…and what's equally important is being a good employer," Casello-Rees says.

Employees receive health care coverage and a retirement plan.

"When we started in 2008 we were at the lowest point in our economy, so to do this is no small feat…I call it a recession proof business because people are always willing to pay to get ride of their parasites," says Casello-Rees. "

The Farmington Hills location on Farmington Road opened in response to the large number of Oakland County customers traveling to other shops in other counties.

Besides the Ann Arbor location, which is on Plymouth Road, there are boutiques in Sterling Heights on Metro Parkway and in Grand Rapids.

"It's just like a salon…The only difference is we don't cut hair or wash hair….Licensed hair sons can't treat head lice or service customers with lice," she says. "The hair industry is thrilled we are here….That's where we a get lot of referrals."

And with all the amenities, "the kids love coming there."

"They sometimes ask to come back," she says. "Usually the parents aren't too keen on that."

Writer: Kim North Shine
Source: Sarah Casello-Rees, owner Rapunzel's Lice Boutique

The Farmington Downtown Development Authority is working with an investment firm that specializes in repositioning old or unused yet promising commercial spaces.

At the same time that the firm, Manifold Ventures, takes over a shopping center that is anchored by TJ Maxx. Other improvements to downtown are unfolding.

Annette Knowles, executive director of the Farmington DDA, says Manifold Ventures, was attracted by the DDA's offers to contribute funds toward facade improvements to a closed store and by the financial assistance they offered toward the interior renovation.

"Manifold Ventures seeks to acquire buildings that exist in excellent locations but are in need of repositioning or recapitalization," says a statement distributed by Knowles. "The owners believe Farmington matches their vision of creating a walkable community with great potential."

She says as the space occupied by TJ Maxx is renovated Manifold will look for high-quality tenants that contribute to a new vision of downtown Farmington, one that's more walkable and accessible to different transportation options.

Work should begin in early spring 2013 and will coincide with improvements to Grove Street and a project that will add parking spaces to the center of downtown.

“Our vision is to help transform Farmington into a walkable neighborhood community, with integrated shopping, dining, and recreation,” Ricky Singh, Manifold Ventures principal, says.

Writer: Kim North Shine
Source: Annette Knowles, executive director, Farmington DDA

The attraction of painting over a glass of wine has proven so strong that one metro Detroit business, Painting with a Twist, is thriving at a second location.

Owner Michelle Lewis has added a downtown Farmington location at 33033 Grand River Ave. Her first was in Ferndale at 320 W. 9 Mile.

Annette Knowles, executive director of the Farmington Downtown Development Authority, says "it's a fantastic business" and part of several changes lighting up downtown Farmington's Grand River Avenue.

"Michelle Lewis is a very sharp woman," she says. "What she's done is bring a business that's serving as a destination, something we all would like to have."

Painting with a Twist pairs groups - or individuals - with an artist who teaches them how to work with a brush. Often parties are held that have the students sipping on beverages they bring. Everyone leaves with a canvas of their own creation.

Source: Annette Knowles, executive director, Farmington DDA
Writer: Kim North Shine

The closing of one of Farmington's long-established restaurants is being seen as an opportunity to shape the development of the city's downtown as it moves through a resurgence.

Annette Knowles, executive director of the Farmington DDA, says the DDA decided to purchase the parcel that includes Dimitri's restaurant, 33200 Grand River, as a way to control what comes to the stretch of road that is downtown Farmington's Main Street. The cost: $430,000 to be paid back to the City of Farmington, which approved a loan to the DDA earlier this month.

"The DDA does have an interest in bringing something to downtown that will really add to the energy and excitement that's going on here," said Annettesaid. "We are looking to kick it up a notch…We are looking to attract a restaurant or redevelopment project that will really contribute to the progress being made."

Now the DDA is entertaining potential buyers, and Knowles is holding open houses for the spot "so people can come through casually, without pressure. One open house was Aug. 14. The next is Monday, Aug. 20, from noon to 2.

"Interest has been pretty brisk," Knowles said. "We have had numerous folks come who are interested in the restaurant component…We're still debating and discussing the options and opportunities."

The proactive development approach gives the DDA and city officials control over a crucial spot of downtown, one that is across the street from a city park and pavilion that hosts summer concerts and events throughout the year.

"It does have a good location in a central part of downtown that's accessible and walkable," Knowles says.

The restaurant is 3,000 square feet, she says, and "there's room for expansion. The building could be re-used or demolished, depending on the proposals that come in.

What's known for sure is that a parking lot will be added behind the building, part of a larger plan to improve parking options downtown, Knowles said.

"The bigger picture is there are a lot of redevelopment opportunities here," she said. "This is one we where we hope to start a major trend of investment in our community."

Source: Annette Knowles, executive director, Farmington Downtown Development Authority
Writer: Kim North Shine

Farmington Hills is the new headquarters of TM Group, a business technology consulting firm that has combined two of its locations into one headquarters designed to foster collaboration, and even fun, among its employees.

The 6,700-square-foot office at the Farmington Hills Corporate Campus at 12 Mile and Halstead roads brings together executive management, sales and marketing, client support, and consulting and developing under one roof.

Their new workplace combines largely naturally lit offices, meeting rooms, a training room, library, media room, contemporary kitchen and a "refresh room" where employes can watch TV, listen to music, play video games or just relax and destress, the company says in a statement announcing the newly designed headquarters.

"May began our 29th year as a highly successful Michigan-based business technology consulting firm – a tremendous milestone of achievement and a great time for us to consolidate in this new corporate headquarters.  We are one of only a handful of Microsoft Dynamics partners worldwide who have nearly three continuous decades with the same management team, product family, and with the most tenured team of certified Dynamics consultants in our area,” says Judy Thomas, president of The TM Group, which calls itself a highly acclaimed provider of Microsoft Dynamics ERP and CRM solutions.
“We made a special effort to provide a more updated environment for our team and a welcoming environment for our clients, prospects, and visitors.”

Source: Jennifer Swiderski, spokesperson, TM Group and Automation Alley
Writer: Kim North Shine

A Motorola facility in Farmington Hills has been vacant since it closed four years ago. Soon, however,  it will be filled with the sounds of engineers and other employees researching and developing new ways for drivers to interact with automotive sound systems.

The Panasonic Automotive Systems Co. of America will hire 60 full-time employees initially, says Teri Arbenowske, economic development director for the city of Farmington Hills, and as time goes on more will be added.

The Japanese electronics company has leased 90,000 square feet of space, previously used by Motorola, in a corporate park in the 12 Mile and Halstead area. Mercedes Benz and Greenpath are located in the same corporate park. It is renovating the space, where engineers will research and develop human machine interfaces, vehicle sound systems and electronics for electric/hybrid vehicles.

"This will be work with advanced software, testing of vehicle sound systems. The exciting thing about this is the number of jobs and the type of jobs," Arbenowske says.

The state awarded Panasonic a $500,000 Business Development Program incentive to expand its Southeast Michigan operations, according to the Michigan Economic Development Corp. It says the company is investing $8.16 million to establish the research and development center. The city is has also approved tax abatements for the project.

"They're looking for high tech jobs, skilled engineers," Arbenowske says. "That's what we really need in Michigan, is to bring more engineers in to develop new products…A lot of our grads leave Michigan and we need companies that can keep that talent here."

Mayor Barry Brickner shared his excitement over the company's arrival in a statement: "Farmington Hills is thrilled to welcome Panasonic Automotive Systems of America to our City. Panasonic will provide jobs and will create excitement and growth in the business community.”

Source: Teri Arbenowske, economic develop director, city of Farmington Hills
Writer: Kim North Shine

Art is in the streets, outside libraries, shops, restaurants, city offices, churches, banks, coffee shops, parks and many other outdoor spaces as the Detroit Institute of Arts expands its Inside/Out art project to more metro Detroit communities.

Now in its third year, the project is a way to promote art - all reproductions from the DIA's collection - while creating the reciprocal benefit of drawing visitors to the DIA to see them in person. The DIA has arranged free admission on set Sundays for residents of the communities where the outdoor art is displayed.

There are 80 works can be found in the cities of Clarkston, the Bloomfields, Eastpointe, Roseville, Farmington, Farmington Hills, the Grosse Pointes, Mount Clemens, Southfield, Taylor, Wayne and Wyandotte. Click here for locations.

The Inside/Out project is in third year, and besides installing the pieces of art outdoors it is cluster the works so that they are within walking or biking distance, generating pedestrian traffic through the communities with the open air galleries.

The DIA is working with the communities to plan bicycle and walking tours.

Source: Detroit Institute of Arts
Writer: Kim North Shine

A project by students at Lawrence Technological University in Southfield has focused on how to revive one struggling corner of a major intersection at 8 Mile and Grand River, just one of many examples of shopping centers that have gone dark as population and business has shifted to outlying suburbs. The intersection is a meeting point of Detroit, Livonia, Farmington Hills and Southfield.

In conceptualizing how the corner would be best re-used, the students working under the direction of Ralph Nunez and Mark Nickita decided to connect a new development to Botsford Hospital in Farmington Hills. They also decided to make the river that runs west of the property one focal point, rather than a hidden, missed opportunity.

"The shopping center there has basically gone dark," except for one restaurant, the Nibble Nook, Nunez says.

Along with Nickita, who is also mayor of Birmingham and an architect and urban planner, Nunez took suggestions for sites to redevelop from the 8 Mile Boulevard Association, a nonprofit focused on revitalizing the mile road that splits Detroit from the suburbs. The university and the association have worked together in the past, bringing students real-life situations to learn from and giving the community a potential real-world revitalization.

Ideally, such projects could be put into practice, eliminating the ramp-up time and expenses of pre-planning for professional redevelopment. James R. Smith, corporate director of planning & business development for Botsford Health Care, was among the jurors who critiqued the final concepts designed by the 12-14 students.

The students, playing architects, city planners, market researchers and more, had to determine whether to demolish what's there and start over, to completely renovate and work with the building now there or redevelop the property with a combo of demolition and renovation. They chose the last approach. They designed plans with consideration for pedestrian use, parking, amenities to attract workers from the hospital or nearby businesses, and more. They decided to dedicate a portion for senior housing and make the rest professional offices, retail, and physical therapy practices. In addition, they wanted to build on the work of nearby cities to make the river more of a useful attraction, Nunez says.

Tami Salisbury, executive director of 8 Mile Boulevard Association (8MBA), says the proposals, which included reconfiguring roads to join the property to the medical center, were impressive. Salisbury and Smith, from Botsford, were jurors on the proposals. 8MBA provided potential project locations for the students. The organization has also worked with other universities.

"We're a nonprofit so the price is right," she says. "And what's nice is students come to us with a fresh perspective and new thinking."

While development money is tight, she says, "the next step is to put our heads together so we can make the students' vision a reality."

Source: Ralph Nunez, adjunct professor, Lawrence Technological University, and Tami Salisbury, executive director, 8 Mile Boulevard Association
Writer: Kim North Shine

Streets for everyone. The Michigan Complete Streets initiative gained momentum in 2011 in metro Detroit and around the state as cities enacted changes or made plans to design roads and sidewalks that take pedestrians, cyclists and drivers into account. The Michigan's Complete Streets movement got props for being a role model nationwide. Separately from Complete Streets, cities and various nonprofits worked on the same goal: streets that accommodate all. It's been a process playing out for a few years now so expect to see more bike lanes, new style crosswalks and other changes coming to a town near you.

Michigan is national leaders in street design that serves cars, bikes and pedestrians
http://www.metromodemedia.com/devnews/0317micompletestreets0201.aspx

Streetscape grants from Royal Oak's WA3 help unify Woodward Corridor
http://www.metromodemedia.com/devnews/woodwardcorrgrants0194.aspx

Royal Oak's non-motorized transportation plan is out for public feedback
http://www.metromodemedia.com/devnews/1110royaloakwalkride0232.aspx

Walkers, cyclists may like changes coming to Grosse Pointe, Dearborn
http://www.metromodemedia.com/devnews/0901fedtransgrants0223.aspx

By Kim North Shine

A grant of $100,000 and a donation of the same amount from ITC Holdings, a Novi company, are helping Oakland County green things up a bit.

Some 850 trees are being planted in 20 locations around Oakland County, part of a greening of the county master plan, says Bret Rasegan, supervisor, Oakland County Planning and Development.

"It's a way to support our green infrastructure vision," Rasegan says. A countywide inventory of greenspaces has been completed and used for a map that shows how a system could be interconnected, he says.

The grant, part of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, comes through the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments and will pay for the planting of trees along the Rouge Watershed in the cities of Novi, West Bloomfield and Farmington Hills.

ITC, or International Transmission Company, is the largest independently-owned electricity transmission company in the nation, and it decided to give a boost to the grant by pitching in a $100,000 contribution.

Because of the donation from ITC, the county can plant more than double the number of trees it had hoped to with the grant, Rasegan says.

The trees will be planted in parks, along roadways and roundabouts, at a dog park, golf course and municipal complexes.

Source: Bret Rasegan, supervisor, Oakland County Planning & Development
Writer: Kim North Shine