------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE BIRMINGHAM BUZZ
"The cardinal sin, when we are looking for truth of fact
or wisdom of policy, is refusal to discuss, or action
which blocks discussion." -- Sidney Hook
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Buzz # 26 -- August 5, 2002

Promoting intelligence and reason in city government. Our mission: To inform and involve all Birmingham citizens.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE at http://www.bhambuzz.org for:
-- Up-to-date news items
-- Resources such as the 2016 Plan and the proposed Ethics ordinance.
-- A calendar of important city events
-- A lively and intelligent discussion group

We want to hear from you! Please send questions, suggestions and feedback to info@bhambuzz.org
{{PERIOD}}
In this edition:

1) Now is time to speak up on Quarton Lake plan
2) Retailers nibble at Jacobson's
3) Night shopping? It's a possibility
4) Lofts may loom on the city's horizon
5) Editorial: Who are losers in bid for legal ads?
6) Commission won't accept Tholen resignation
7) New city planner starts Aug. 19
8) Jacobson's in countdown to oblivion
9) Editorial: One merchant's story of frustration
10) Willits, 76% sold, still controversial, opens soon
11) City OKs civic center street improvements
12) Editorial: Consultant's proposal for park would turn Quarton Lake into tourist attraction
13) Editorial: Loss of Jacobsons is grave; city urgently needs public-private cooperation
14) To be removed, send email to info@bhambuzz.org


1) Now is time to speak up on Quarton Lake plan

August 5, 2002

The Birmingham Parks & Recreation Board will consider plans for the parkland surrounding Quarton Lake at a joint meeting with the Quarton Lake Ad Hoc Committee Tuesday night. Members of the public are invited to comment on the plans, prepared by city consultant Wade-Trim, at the 6:30 p.m. meeting at the Dept. of Public Services, 851 S. Eton.

Wade-Trim is proposing numerous improvements to the park after dredging is completed.

Preliminary plans are below.


2) Retailers nibble at Jacobson's

August 4, 2002

From the Birmingham Eccentric

By Larry Ruehlen

At least two department store chains are exploring coming to Birmingham and possibly occupying the Jacobson's sites, said Dan Jacobs, a broker with Southfield-based Signature Associates.

"So far they have just kicked the tires," said Jacobs, "There has been interest... but it's tough to attract retailers to Birmingham because there are so many other markets with more foot traffic."

Jacobs said he has contacted Bloomingdale's, Macy's and Lord & Taylor but other retailers have expressed more interest.

Parisian, a Birmingham, Ala., chain with 41 stores from Florida to Michigan, and Von Maur, a Davenport, Iowa, retailer with 18 stores throughout the Midwest, have responded favorably to inquiries, said Jacobs. But neither has made a commitment.

"Parisian has stores in Livonia and Rochester," said Jacobs, "So it would be a good fit."

Parisian officials would not comment on whether they were pursuing stores in Birmingham.

Erin Marshall, spokesperson for Von Maur, said the company has a policy against talking about expansion.

But James D. Von Maur, company president, proclaims boldly on the store's Web site that "long-range plans find us exploring expansions opportunities in medium to large markets throughout the Midwest."

Several Realtors met last week to discuss possible deals for Jacobson's' holdings in Birmingham. The city's anchor department store since 1950 is bankrupt and creditors are taking bids for its 18 stores across the country. Interest in the Birmingham stores is reportedly high with clients in the retail, hotel and office sectors.

Jacobson's owns two buildings in Birmingham. The first is the woman's store, which has 98,825 square feet on 1.18 acres at Maple and Chester Street, and the second is the men's store, which has 80,000 square feet on 1 acre of land at Woodward Avenue and Willits.

The company that's selling Jacobson's property is Hilco Real Estate out of Northbrook, Ill. Hilco has the option of striking a deal at any time, but the winning bidder will likely be determined at a Sept. 17 auction.

Jacobs has brokered several key land deals including The Uptown Palladium site, the former GAP building and the Anthropologie store on Maple Road. He offered insight into what could become of Jacobson's Birmingham locations.

"A new department store would pump new blood into the city," said Jacobs. "But Birmingham has a stigma that it's not a regional market... at least one of the buildings could end up office."

Local developers including Jim Weiner and Ted Fuller have said they are interested in both sites but a national holding company could also make a bid for all of Jacobson's holdings, said Jacobs, and creditors are only concerned about money, not what ends up in Birmingham.

An office building is a distinct possibility because a company looking to build a new headquarters will pay more for real estate than a developer, who must make a profit on what gets built.

"Weiner is probably the farthest from getting the property," said Jacobs. "A user could come in at the last minute and overpay for a site in Birmingham."

A user is a client who actually uses the building rather than leasing it to others.

Bids for the Jacobson's sites are hovering around $15 million, he said, but some potential investors are wary of city politics.

"Whoever buys those sites is going to have a legal fight with the city," he said. "Other cities welcome them (developers) with open arms, but that's not the case in Birmingham."

He also said potential buyers are talking about tearing down the current buildings rather than remodeling.


3) Night shopping? It's a possibility

August 4, 2002

From the Birmingham Eccentric

By Larry Ruehlen

While brokers are looking to fill Jacobson's Birmingham sites, area retailers are searching for ways to keep their own stores full of shoppers. Speculation is that the Jacobson's buildings are too old to refurbish and will have to be torn down. Birmingham City Manager Tom Markus has said it will take two to three years for new buildings to get through the approval and construction process.

With that in mind, adding night shopping hours has been a hot topic at merchant meetings.

"There are a lot of people in town at night but we have to make them into shoppers," said Mark Keller, a merchant who owns Lilith, a women's clothing store. "It's the type of thing you would have to get everyone on board."

Kurk Kuchukian, president of the merchant's association, said retailers are discussing a plan to stay open late Thursday through Saturday -- a time when downtown is usually crammed with people going to movies, restaurants and coffee shops.

While some retailers see potential profits, others aren't convinced the entertainment-craved hipsters will shop as they hop from one hot spot to the next.

"We did have late hours and all we got in were people waiting for movies and dinner reservations," said Pat Spadafore, owner of Imelda's closet, a shoe store. "I have no intention of staying open later."

The owners of successful stores claim they don't have to stay open late like area shopping malls to compete. The key, they say, is providing a level of service that malls can't compete with and offering products not found in chain stores. Birmingham shoppers want to walk in and see the store owner behind the counter, said Karen Daskus, owner of Tender, a women's clothing boutique on Maple.

Keller said the city should also take another stab at hiring a professional business recruiter -- something the city has done twice with less than dazzling results.

"When you have a pitcher who doesn't pitch well you get another pitcher," said Keller. "You don't forfeit the game."


4) Lofts may loom on the city's horizon

August 4, 2002

From the Birmingham Eccentric

By Larry Ruehlen

Affordable loft apartments may yet come to Birmingham.

"The idea is that this is a litmus test to see what kind of interest people have in living downtown without a car parked out front," said Gary Kulak, chairman of the Birmingham Planning Board.

Kulak was talking about a board recommendation to eliminate parking requirements for residential uses in historic landmark buildings in the city.

Currently, the city requires two parking spaces for every residential address downtown. Members of the Birmingham City Commission and planning board have said for years that the city needs affordable housing downtown, not just $1 million condos. The new rule would allow loft apartments in some 29 buildings downtown.

Notable buildings that could replace upper-story offices with living space include the Briggs and Wabeek buildings on Maple. Parking is an issue because the price of land is often exorbitant downtown. Recent condominium projects have included underground parking at $35,000 per space.

That type of expense drives up overall construction costs and the price of housing downtown.

Bob Ziegelman, an architect with Luckenbach/Ziegelman and Partners, designed the Briggs building.

"That building would be a wonderful place for lofts," said Ziegelman. "The 2016 Plan envisioned lofts downtown and it is a good idea."

Ziegelman said the market place will determine whether units without parking will ever take off in Birmingham, but having more options for lofts will get people talking about the possibilities.

"Birmingham is a desirable place to live and lofts can be good for both ends of the market," he said. "Some people want parking and are willing to pay for it."

The commission is expected to consider the board's recommendation at an August meeting. Kulak said people have learned to live without cars in other cities and could do so in Birmingham by using mass transit. And residents who won't go without an auto could get a long-term parking pass at one of the city's garages.

Several expensive downtown condominiums have remained vacant for years, so lavish isn't always best, said Kulak. But he also realizes developers generally make more profit on expensive units.


5) Editorial: Who are losers in bid for legal ads?

July 31, 2002

Second guessing City Manager Tom Markus is second nature for most members of the Birmingham City Commission.

Monday night, their propensity for micromanagement dovetailed with their vendetta against the Birmingham Eccentric when they voted down Markus' recommendation to award the local newspaper a contract for the publication of legal notices.

Markus sought bids from the Eccentric, the Detroit News/Free Press and the Oakland Press. Only the Eccentric and the News/Free Press responded.

The Eccentric, with a total circulation of more than 14,000, offered to run the ads for $7.25 per column inch. The News/Free Press, with a circulation in Birmingham of just over 4,000, offered to run them for $25 per column inch.

The better bid was clear to Markus, and he was supported by Commissioner Rackeline Hoff, who moved to accept it. She was supported by Commissioner Russell Dixon and Mayor Dianne McKeon.

But Commissioners Dante Lanzetta, Donald Carney and Seth Chafetz voted against the motion after Lanzetta suggested it be tabled to give Commissioner Gordon Thorsby, who was absent, a chance to comment on the matter. So the motion failed.

Thorsby and Carney, running mates in the last election, apparently are still stinging from their failure to win the support of the Eccentric, which backed opponents Mike Wooley, Carol Greenslade and Julie Plotnik.

Carney was moved to sign an October 2001 letter to the Eccentric cancelling his subscription. Thorsby publicly questioned whether the Eccentric ought to run the city's legal ads.

The vendetta was supported by residents Dorothy Conrad, who questioned the Eccentric's circulation figures, and Paul Marion Reagan, who claimed the Oakland Press never received the bid request and called the bidding "flawed."

(Reagan said he informed the appropriate Oakland Press staffer of the bidding process. Apparently, the paper was less concerned than Reagan, as it didn't see fit to send anyone to Monday's meeting or otherwise communicate with the city.)

The upshot, wryly noted by Hoff: In the absence of a new contract, the Eccentric will continue to run the city's legal ads.


6) Commission won't accept Tholen resignation

July 30, 2002

Charles Tholen has resigned from the Planning Board, but the City Commission Monday night refused to accept his resignation and put off the process of filling the vacancy.

Tholen submitted his resignation letter on July 13. Monday night, it was included in the Commission's packet. A consent agenda item called for acceptance of the resignation, along with direction to the City Clerk to begin the process of filling the vacancy. (The consent agenda is a portion of the agenda that includes numerous items intended for summary approval near the beginning of each Commission meeting.)

Commission Donald Carney requested that the item be removed from the consent agenda, and when it was taken up later in the evening, he praised Tholen for his many years of service to the community, and suggested that the Commission reject his resignation and ask him to reconsider.

In his letter, Tholen said, "My plans had been to retire last March, but at the urging of other Planning Board members, friends and neighbors, I agreed to continue and was reappointed. Although my intention had been to stay longer, the increasing time commitments necessary and recent events have caused me to reconsider that decision."

Commissioner Rackeline Hoff said the Commission ought to respect Tholen's wishes, and made a motion to accept his resignation. The vote was 3-3, with Commissioner Russell Dixon and Mayor Dianne McKeon supporting the motion. Commissioners Dante Lanzetta, Seth Chafetz and Carney voted against the motion. Gordon Thorsby was absent. In a tie vote, a motion fails.

Tholen said Tuesday he wouldn't attend the next Planning Board meeting, scheduled for Wednesday evening. He wouldn't elaborate on his reasons for resigning. He has served several terms on the Board over the past 20 years.

Planning Board Chairman Gary Kulak said Tholen "was a valuable asset to the City of Birmingham. His 20+ years of service is a testament to his commitment . His understanding of the history of Birmingham’s land use and his attention to details provided an important dimension to the Planning Board.

"Mr. Tholen worked hard to guide and balance development, always thorough and thoughtful in the application of the City Ordinance, and diligent in his efforts to make improvements whenever possible," Kulak said. "He was part of developing the City Master Plan, Eton Road Corridor Plan, and reviewed hundreds of projects both public and private as well as recommendations for changes to the City Ordinance. He was one of the pillars of this community with respect to planning. He will be missed by all and it is with regret that I see him leave. I can only wish him well in the future."


7) New city planner starts Aug. 19

July 29, 2002

Jana Ecker, director of planning and development in Jeffersonville, Indiana, will join the city's Community Development Department on Aug. 19, City Manager Tom Markus told the City Commission Monday night.

Ecker is the first planner to be hired since the resignations of Keith Edwards, Jill Bahm and Patricia McCullough. She joins the only remaining staff planner, Jim Sabo. She has a undergraduate degree in urban planning and environmental studies from the University of Toronto and a law degree from the University of Windsor. She is a member of the Ontario bar.


8) Jacobson's in countdown to oblivion

July 28, 2002

From the Birmingham Eccentric

The countdown began Thursday and will end in September. That's when Jacobson's likely will close its two Birmingham stores for good as the entire chain liquidates its assets.

"Depending on the rate of retail sales, it could be sooner, but we are expecting the stores to last at least a few weeks into September," said Frederick Marx, spokesman for Jacobson Stores Inc.

Jacobson's has been a landmark in Birmingham for more than 50 years. It operates a women's store with 98,250 square feet on 1.18 acres of land at Maple and Chester and a men's/children's store, with 80,000 square feet on 1 acre at Old Woodward and Willits. Nationally, the 134-year-old company operates 18 stores and employs 2,800 people.

Jacobson's has been battling through bankruptcy for months. But the death knell officially sounded Thursday when a bankruptcy court judge in Detroit approved the bid for all of the Jacobson's inventory to be liquidated.

The end stirred emotions among longtime customers and employees.

Beverly Hills resident May Weinbaum said she feels sad to see the store go, as well as the employees.

Weinbaum, who has been a patron of the Jacobson's beauty salon for 15 years, was one of many shoppers turning out for the Jacobson's liquidation sale that began on Friday.

"I'm very sad that the people who have been working here loyally for years had the door closed on them," she said.

John Heiney of the Birmingham Principal Shopping District said Birmingham merchants would prefer the city attract another anchor store to replace Jacobson's.

"We're very active in seeking retailers. Some come to us, and we contact some," Heiney said.

"It's an ongoing process."

Kathy Domzalski of Warren said she hates to see the closing of Jacobson's.

"It's another landmark going down," Domzalski said. "It seems everything I remember from being a young girl is disappearing."

Chris Winans, director of the Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce, said the city will particularly miss Jacobson's as a driving force in the community.

"It was an anchor for our downtown," she said. "People came to (Jacobson's) first, and then traveled from there to surrounding stores."

Winans said the closing of the store will leave an unusually large rental space in the downtown area, but it will be unknown for some time who will take over next.

"There are heartstrings there," Winans said.

"We're going to go through a little bit of mourning once the store closes."

Jacobson's will join other large retailers such as Winkleman's, Ward's and Crowley's to slip into recent Michigan history. The Hudson's name also is gone, although the store continues on as Marshall Field's.


9) Editorial: One merchant's story of frustration

July 25, 2002

By Kelli Lewton

So let me tell you my story of being a small business in Birmingham.

I own Aunt Olives Good Food 2 Go in the north end of downtown Birmingham. We are in our second year of operation.

Our first summer at the store, I had planned on putting out a couple tables and chairs in front of the storefront. We labored on a garden project adjacent to our property early in the summer season. Unfortunately, we did not have any inkling the review process to obtain permission would take several months. Towards the end of last summer, I was advised by then-City Planner Keith Edwards (who has since left the city) to wait until the following season. I agreed.

Earlier this year, I was invited to a "we-want-to-help-you-and-be-a-friend-to-small-business-in-Birmingham" meeting with the City Commission. One concern that I voiced publicly at the meeting included lowering the cost of parking rates for employees to aid owners in a never-ending battle of attracting and keeping our help. My second concern was to shorten the process for outside café seating, perhaps to an administrative process vs. going before a review board.

We were told that the process had in fact been changed to a one-page "E-Z" form. I was elated! At the end of April or maybe the beginning of May, I stopped to pick up my "E-Z" form for outdoor café seating, as I guessed it could take a few weeks to process the application. To my disbelief, I was given a set of criteria to meet that included 12 site plan drawings to scale showing my petit few tables, material and photos. In fact, it would have to go before the Planning Board, and they could not put me on the agenda until the end of July.

I was flabbergasted!! Ironically enough, two days after I got this information there was to be a follow up meeting to the first "help-Birmingham's-small-business meeting." I again attended the City Commission meeting, this time armed with the burning question WHY????? I was told by Jill Bahm (who has also since left the city) that the E-Z form was only for renewals.

I would have certainly started this long journey of months and months earlier had I been given the correct information. To my surprise not one city official said a word, not even a, "We would like to help you." Only silence filled the air. Needless to say, I left the meeting and went about the task of meeting the printed criteria and made a submittal to the city.

My case was heard last evening July 24th, and again to my surprise I did not receive a permit to put a few 24-inch tables outside my store. They used phrases like "overlay area 1, overlay area 2, special land use permit as it is zoned business/commercial," blah, blah, blah, blah.

Completely bewildered, I addressed the board and spouted my sad story from the beginning. How could I be held accountable for other special permits and information that I never knew existed?? I followed the criteria that I was given by the city to the letter!!!!!!!!!! So for the second time the rules had been changed and I had to pay the price!!!!!!!!! I again pleaded for help and was given the old "We understand your frustration but our hands are tied"!!!!!!! Let me tell you, emphatically NO, the members of this board cannot understand my frustration.

How can a small business owner that follows the overzealous protocol of submitting 12 professionally detailed, to-scale, site plan drawings to put a few very small tables outside her store even start to grasp yet another step?! Those 12 submissions were not even reviewed by the board. The only plan that was viewed was the one mounted on a poster board. I know this because I had included a picture for each submission showing materials, which was unraveled from the packet in front of me. Why did the young lady presenting my sidewalk plan to the city not even state the correct finish of my furniture and then recommended I be made to choose different furniture? (My furniture is finished with the old B'ham green color.) She did not know my business or me and never even had one communication with me regarding any concerns prior to the review. It is my understanding now that she is from a separate company contracted by the city. All that work, all that time and money invested, and still no cute little tables. Back to Square One!!!!!!

My questions are: How can any city, entity or person operate in this cumbersome, overly burdened manner? What keeps happening to longtime city employees like Keith, Patty [McCullough, recently resigned Community Development Director] and Jill? Why is Birmingham losing its administrative staff after years and years of service? Why is everything so gosh darn hard in this town? Is anyone reading the local papers, including the Free Press/News? Is anyone grasping the fact that the word on the street is "don't open a business in Birmingham; they are anti-development and most everything that goes along with it." Do homeowners realize their precious property values might plummet when there is no little town of downtown Birmingham?! When will enough be enough?! Is anyone out there, or listening?!

I grew up here in Birmingham and have worked hard for many years to open my dream of a store, which I hoped would be of service to my community as well as myself. I know the adage -- you can't fight City Hall -- but maybe it's time the residents and business owners together take a look at what is going on at City Hall. Perhaps it is time to institute some changes so that we may work and live in a community that promotes cooperation, prosperity and good will.

Very Frustrated Chef/Owner

Kelli L. Lewton
Aunt Olives Good Food 2 Go
525 N. Old Woodward
248-593-0364


10) Willits, 76% sold, still controversial, opens soon

July 25, 2002

From the Birmingham Eccentric

By Judith Doner Berne

It's time to take a good look at the mid-rise condominium building that has assumed high rise proportions in the city of Birmingham.

After years of controversy over development north of Maple, construction of The Willits is winding down.

The six-story, curvilinear structure that has changed the face of mid-town -- along with some faces on the Birmingham City Commission -- will debut next week. A series of parties will be held for construction workers, politicos, journalists, real estate brokers, unit owners and prospective buyers.

Move-ins will begin sometime after that. "I'd say we're 90-120 days behind," says Jim Weiner, president of Related Retail Corp., the co-developer that is marketing the retail component.

At last count, 44 of the 58 condominiums had been sold. For the most part, owners are people who already live in the Birmingham-Bloomfield area, reports Jan Robertson, vice president of sales and advertising for Robertson Brothers, the other co-developer. That means each has put down a non-refundable deposit and signed a purchase agreement.

Although they started at slightly lower prices, the condominiums now range from $595,000 for approximately 1,694 square feet on the lower levels to nearly $2 million for the two-story, more than 3,500 square-foot penthouses.

As I tour The Willits, on a sweltering July day, it is still the scene of hard-hats and construction materials. By sheer coincidence, I walked the area on a similarly hot July day four years ago. It was just after plans for The Palladium Theatre and The Willits, along with three projects that are currently scuttled, were submitted to the planning board. Then I was actively trying to envision the cityscape that has now become a reality.

The block-long building where open space once stood is at first glance jarring.

"When I go down Willits, that building swallows me," says Dorothy Conrad, a longtime Birmingham activist who has been a vocal opponent. "It is too massive for the site."

"I think it's an appalling building," echoes John Jickling, an architect who has lived in Birmingham his whole life. "It doesn't blend in well with the community."

But at least one opponent has modified his views. "I saw it last night," says Tom Spoto, president of the South Poppleton Park neighborhood association. "I was wrong. I think it's a very attractive building, although oversized. We're all scared of change. It may be a catalyst" to revive that part of the town.

With Jacobson's two Birmingham locations on the market, the condominium complex could soon be the only viable commercial building on the street.

Birmingham architect Victor Saroki, known for his redesign of the Birmingham Theatre, says he drew inspiration for The Willits from buildings he has seen in European cities. It's the largest project his Birmingham firm has done.

Constructed of limestone-colored pre-cast concrete and topped by a mansard roof, the exterior features a repetition of pilasters, window bays, terraces and balconies. The large windows are designed both to give the owners views over the city and to give the building buoyancy, Saroki says, "especially when viewed at night."

"This building could be picked up and put on any street in Europe," says Paul Robertson Jr., president of Robertson Brothers. You can hear his pride. The lobby is still in flux, but I am impressed by the brass-doored elevators and hallways that are indented every so often to give a feeling of intimacy. The units I see resound with light and space.

"I consider this the pinnacle of my career," he tells me. "I've never done more than two stories." He is particularly happy "to do a building like this in my hometown." Saroki, too, lives in the city.

Who's moving in? Robertson describes an ethnically, religiously and racially diverse population. Besides the expected empty-nesters, "there are a number of divorced guys, some athletes, some young people," he says. "We have alternative life styles. We have a large preponderance of people who also have a home somewhere else. It's a great cross-section of the city."

Bruce McDonald was first to buy one of the 11 penthouses. He will move from another Birmingham condominium.

"I love living downtown. I'm single and I like condo living," says McDonald, who is president of McDonald Modular Solutions Inc. in Southfield. He was attracted to the location, the view that he has to the west, the first-floor restaurant and other amenities. These include a full-time concierge/doorman ("If he's there I'm going to use him."), underground parking and an exercise room featuring a swimming machine that pits you against a current.

Empty-nesters Gail and Timothy Williams are trading their 4,000-square-foot Rochester Hills home for 1,800 square feet in downtown Birmingham.

They spotted The Willits as they were driving through the city a few months back. "I said to my husband, 'didn't this used to be a parking lot?' she recalls. A few days later they saw an advertisement for it. "Would you be interested?" Timothy asked her. "I said 'yes.'"

"We totally fell in love," reports Gail, who manages her husband's Troy and Waterford orthodontics practices. "We got the unit we wanted on the fourth floor looking straight down Henrietta." Although the Williams are building a home in Harbor Springs, they look forward to spending most of their time in an urban environment.

I ask her about some of the views that look out on unattractive commercial rooftops and, the soon-to-be-empty Jacobson's buildings. "When you go to New York," she says, "you're not going there to look at birds and green grass. We're going to Birmingham to have the excitement of the city."

Few of us will live in the building. But, come spring, the general public can dine at its street-level restaurant, Mitchell's Fish Market, headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. It will feature fresh fish and seafood, flown in daily from both coasts, according to a restaurant spokeswoman. A new menu is printed each day. And, if you want to sample its fare ahead, a sister restaurant will open in East Lansing this fall.

A full-service spa is another street-level enterprise open to the public. Illusions by Sherri, currently on Hamilton, will expand into The Willits space. Owner Sharon Nicole is aiming for a November opening, but says her move-in date is dependent on city approvals.

About 6,000 square feet of retail space remain, Weiner says.

Another improvement that Birmingham walkers (and runners) will realize is the L-shaped pedestrian walkway, complete with greenery and street lamps. It runs along the east and south sides of the building.

To obtain the view on the street, I stand in the parking lot directly opposite The Willits and interview the first two people I meet.

"I think it's gorgeous," says Birmingham resident Libby Palmer, who regularly brings out-of-towners to Birmingham. "They are blown away by this wonderful little urban-feeling city. The 2016 plan (the master plan for development) is just fine. The city should make it easier not harder to develop Birmingham."

Holding the opposite view is Wally Habboo whose office as senior vice president of Wachovia Securities is on Maple, just behind The Willits. "I watched it from ground up," the Farmington Hills resident said. "It's a beautiful structure and a quality building, but it just adds to the congestion of downtown Birmingham."

My view: I predict that Birmingham will integrate The Willits into its life as a city, as it has its other major buildings.


11) City OKs civic center street improvements

July 25, 2002

From the Birmingham Eccentric

Birmingham's touch of elegance will stretch to the Civic Center and surrounding streets this fall.

The Birmingham City Commission selected contractor Thompson-McCully Co. to complete the Civic Center Streetscape Project at the cost of $548,538.50. Thompson-McCully Co. was the low bidder out of four others that ranged to $962,389.00

The project, which is scheduled to begin in late August or early September, includes the installation of new sewers, water mains and streetscape sidewalk on Martin, Henrietta and West Merrill streets - the area around city hall.

The project will also include an upgrade of the Chester Street intersection, and the addition of three new parking spaces on the west side of Henrietta. The additional parking spaces, which prior to the now-approved road construction could not be completed, will preserve the already-existing trees on Henrietta.

Dennis Dembiec, director of engineering and public services, said the streetscape will bring a combination of elegance and convenience to the city.

"The streets and sidewalks affected will have the elegant look similar to those blocks which have been upgraded already, and it certainly gave us an opportunity to upgrade roads that were in need of repair," Dembiec said.

"There will be a very nice, warm feeling with the extrapolation of streetscape in downtown Birmingham."

The streetscape project, as well as the 250 Martin St. project, is estimated to be completed before the end of 2002 and is not foreseen to cause major traffic problems in the city.

Dembiec said there has been little feedback from residents about the project, but he has not received any complaints, either.

"There will be the usual small inconvenience of surface road construction, but we don't see any major problems occurring," Dembiec said.

"If we were working on Maple Road, that might be a little different."


12) Editorial: Park proposal would turn Quarton Lake into tourist attraction

July 25, 2002

Birmingham parks and planning consultant Wade-Trim unveiled preliminary plans for more than $1 million in improvements to Quarton Park Tuesday Night.

Despite strong sentiment among residents to maintain and enhance the natural beauty of the park and lake, the proposal contained numerous structural improvements that could turn the lake into a tourist attraction for the tri-county area.

Included were:

* A covered foot bridge over the northern part of the lake.

* Three picnic shelters estimated to cost $225,000.

* A 15-space parking lot in prime green space south of Oak.

* Wooden boardwalks and viewing platforms at several shoreline locations.

The proposal was Wade-Trim's first recreational plan for the park. Until now, the committee has focused on dredging and legal issues.

Jared Rundell, a member of the committee representing the Mill Pond area, objected to the large amount of money that would be spent on structures, as
opposed to natural enhancement.

He said the proposal contradicts what residents have said they want.

The cost of the plan was estimated at $1.1 million to $1.4 million (not including dredging and dam repairs).

The plan is a first draft and now needs public input. It will be presented at a Parks Board meeting on Aug. 13, and then reviewed by the Quarton Lake Advistory Committee again on Aug. 15 before being presented to the City Commission on Aug 26.

The plan is to be finalized by late February.

Public input is essential in this process.


To see a the preliminary Quarton Lake site plan submitted July 23, visit http://www.bhambuzz.org/images/QLSite.jpg

To see a typical sections of Lakeside and a lakeview access point, visit http://www.bhambuzz.org/images/QLSectionA.jpg{{PERIOD}}

To see the section that includes a proposed covered bridge, visit http://www.bhambuzz.org/images/QLSectionC.jpg{{PERIOD}}


13) Editorial: Loss of Jacobsons is grave; city urgently needs public-private cooperation

July 24, 2002

It won't be long before Jacobsons is shuttered and Birmingham gets a huge dose of reality.

Jacobsons was Birmingham's frontline in a retail battle with Somerset Mall.

How we deal with the loss of this longtime anchor, the continuing competition from Somerset, and the coming redevelopment proposals will test the mettle of almost everyone involved.

The new property owners, Birmingham's remaining retailers, our city's leadership and residents all face two to three years of difficulty as we adjust to the loss and face the future.

We have no choice but to be positive, to take advantage of opportunities, and remain committed to sustaining our retail district in the face of competition that sometimes may seem overwhelming.

Any other path will spell doom for downtown.

For some, it may be impossible to survive the coming lull in retail traffic.

Jacobsons generated an estimated $25 million or more in annual sales in Birmingham. The spillover of customers and dollars to other, smaller retailers has been enormous. Many of those retailers can't draw customers on their own; try as they might, they simply can't survive without an anchor like Jake's.

So if you think Birmingham has a lot of retail vacancies now, ponder the landscape 12, 24 or 36 months from now. That's how long it will take, at a minimum, to redevelop the Jacobsons property. In the meantime, leases will expire, businesses will fold and vacancies will increase.

People look at Birmingham today and remark at the vitality. The Palladium is drawing thousands of people to town, and our restaurants and other entertainment venues are thriving. The Willits is about to open, and construction seems to be booming.

But these developments came to fruition only after years of work. Very little is in the pipeline now, and downtown development is likely to be stagnant for the next year or more.

A strong downtown is at least three years away -- but only if we act quickly and decisively.

With any luck, the Jacobsons property will be sold quickly. Potential buyers can't ignore current zoning regulations, and the notorious reputations of the Planning Board and City Commission, as they try to determine a fair market value for the property and consider how to develop it.

Ironically, these factors could work in a developer's favor, because they almost surely devalue the property. If a developer can muster support for a non-conforming project, a purchase made today may seem like a bargain once variances are granted.

The city should be open to what are now considered non-conforming uses for the properties. The acre-plus site at Old Woodward and Willits, if combined with adjacent public and private property (the surface parking lot, the parking structure, and the aged apartments just north of the structure), has fantastic potential.

Affordable residential units, office space to generate daytime traffic, retail space to replace the Jacobsons space, expanded parking for all users, and a much-desired greenbelt linking downtown to the Rouge River and Booth Park, are all possible if the new owners and the city cooperate.

None of that is possible if the new owners are constrained by current zoning regulations, and face costly delays and hostility from city officials.

At a meeting last Monday night, the City Commission and downtown business people discussed, among other things, the proper role of city officials in fostering a more successful downtown.

Streetscape improvement, tenant recruitment, surveys of shoppers and other steps the city is taking are all important and appropriate roles.

But we think the most important steps the city can take involve the intelligent macro-management of development. To insure our success and vitality, and avoid stagnation and decay, our city officials MUST create a regulatory environment that allows and encourages private developers to create a physical environment that will attract tenants and customers alike.

This was the essence of the 2016 Plan, and if ever there were a time to embrace the plan, it is now.

Our city officials and local developers must bury the hatchets and cooperate.

Both sides showed remarkable willingness to begin doing so on Monday night. City Manager Tom Markus said the city understands the gravity of the situation. Local developer Jim Weiner, who almost surely is involved in the bidding for Jacobsons, offered his views on the downtown retail environment in general. Commissioners then took the opportunity to quiz Weiner on his thoughts about the Jacobsons property. In contrast to previous discussions between Weiner and the Commission, this one was civil, informative, and perhaps even productive.

Birmingham can survive the loss of Jacobsons, revive its downtown retail district and ultimately thrive in its competition with Somerset if it plays on its strengths -- its character, and the character of its stores. It is, fundamentally, an upscale, charming downtown with the kinds of stores that can't be found in a mall.

To attract more of those stores, a new retail anchor and the customers that will make them all successful, it needs to play on its strength as a place where people want to be. Birmingham is now a place where many people want to be. But to survive and thrive, it needs to be a place where even more people want to be.

We can make Birmingham that place if our private developers and city officials listen to one another, show one another some respect, and cooperate.

Don't think we have a choice.

14) To be removed, send email to info@bhambuzz.org.