The latest and greatest from the monthly Director’s Report prepared for the DDA board:

Downtown Businesses

  • Weiss Distilling Company, 24/34 E. 14 Mile, is moving forward with the utility shutoffs for the demo of the former Great Sport building. They may apply to the ZBA for a variance to allow the south wall of the new construction to be even with the alley. The ordinance currently calls for a 10 foot setback. The project will go to the Planning Commission for site plan approval before the construction phase moves forward.
  • Zeoli’s Italian Restaurant, 126 E. 14 Mile, has received C of O from the city, Health Department approvals and their liquor license from MLCC. They will open this weekend, Saturday and Sunday for friends & family. The soft opening for the public will be Monday, August 20. They are unsure if it will be lunch and dinner.
  • NOAR Technologies, 303 E. 14 Mile, has received site plan approval from the PC
  •  Salt & Sugar, 139 W. 14 Mile, had a Ribbon Cutting on Wednesday, August 1stand has a Grand Opening scheduled for this Friday, August 17. The storefront is currently open Tues thru Thursday and hours/days will expand once their food truck obligations decrease.
  •  It appears the legal separation between the former Marconi business partners is complete as the signage on the lease space at 204 E. 14 Mile, has been changed to Carmoni’s Pizza. Waiting to hear back from the owners on their plans for the buildout.
  • Motor City Barbell & Fitness Club is expanding and will be moving from 255 E. 14 Mile to a new location at 844 W. 14 Mile. The downtown space will be available for lease on September 1st.
  • Met with the marketing team hired by One World Market for Noble Fish. They are working with Noble, corporate and the contractor to ensure the individuality and quirky nature of Noble are retained with the expansion.

Updates
14 Mile and Main pedestrian crossing markings and safety

  • Decorative crosswalk markings: TIA, the city traffic consulting firm, agrees that a painted brick pattern between the existing horizontal crosswalk markings doesmeet the Federal Highway guidelines and can be considered. We are now looking at application methods and gathering quotes to determine if this project is feasible.
  • Pedestrian safety: TIA has determined the traffic counts do not support a 20 second pedestrian only crossing time known as a protected pedestrian phase. An extended time (10 seconds?) added to each pedestrian crossing phase may be considered to give pedestrians a bit longer lead time. TIA is providing a report to the PD with recommendations.
  • No right turns for westbound semi trucks onto N. Main: The PD has issued a Traffic Control order. Signage is to be installed on the mast arms by Oakland County Road Commission when it fits their schedule.
  • An application for grant funding was submitted for a placemaking grant made available by Genysis Credit Union through Main Street Oakland County. The project submitted was for the archway at the pedestrian entrance to the E. 14 Mile alley to the SE parking lot.