By: Joshua Spaman
Wayne State University
Com 2100, March 5, 2018
The Livonia City Council has moved a site plan for the addition of a commercial building on Plymouth road and Tech Center Drive to the regular council meeting to push for a vote. This plan will also expand the shopping center existing by adding additional room for retail.
The shopping center chosen for this development houses a Red Lobster alongside Plymouth as well as a commercial shopping center currently occupied by a Dunham’s Sports and a Big Lots.
“We want to renovate the shopping center,” said Ghassan Abdelnour, “in order to give it a facelift.” Abdelnour is the architect behind the plans, working alongside Frank Oabaja on this development.
The developers have been approached by competitors already; such as bagel shop and a fitness gym, said Oabaja. With the additional building, there will be room for three separate entities, two focused on business and the other for retail.
Support for the project was voiced by several of the council members. “The new development is compatible with the current market” said Brandon M. Kritzman. He also complimented the design’s “sleekness”, as well as the choice of 360 architecture with the design being the same around the entire building.
“The potential business would have big impact” said Laura Toy, “and I am glad we are moving away from the Livonia brown!” Toy is the city council president as well as owning a business on Six Mile and Farmington.
“I am concerned the new development might block the current businesses from receiving traffic” said Toy. Her concerns were based on similar developments, where small strips of commercial buildings were placed forward on a lot, obscuring the view of the establishments further back. A sign to list all of the businesses in the lot would be essential, she said.
Another item of concern was the lot’s parking availability. There is not a heavy demand on the spaces, with the Red Lobster being the primary user of them, but the addition of the new building, as well as expansion of the existing center, will require for some to be removed.
“What kind of parking would be required,” said Scott Bahr, “The additions could have a multiplying effect on the demand.” Bahr’s concerns were based on with the addition of the buildings, as with the new potential businesses, a heavier demand could be placed upon the parking spaces. There might not be the same excess of parking, he said.
“Right across the street has potential for development” said Kathleen McIntyre. This area of interest has plenty of vacancy for additional commercial additions as well as no current lots besides a fitness center further down the street, along with a White Castle and two banks.
Another concern was voiced regarding the timeliness in which the development would be finished. A similar development was begun at Farmington and Plymouth road, which promised to be opened in 2017, however it still remains under construction.
“What kind of timeline would we be looking at?” said Toy, “There is not always follow-through with these promises.”
The project would hope to begin late this year, said Oabaja.
After each council member spoke on their thoughts, the decision was made to move the item to the regular council agenda in order for it to be pushed to a vote. “We thank you for your business in Livonia.” said Toy.
The vote for the plan’s approval will take place at the next city council meeting on March 12. It is expected to receive support from the council and be passed.
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