HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRDA MINUTES 1995-02-02 (2) MINUTES OF THE PLYMOUTH ROAD DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
BUSINESS COMMUNITY MEETING
The Business Community Meeting held by the Plymouth Road Development Authority of
the City of Livonia, Michigan was called to order at 7:05 p.m. , Thursday, February
2, 1995, in the Community Room of Wonderland Shopping Mall .
Members Present: Mayor Robert D. Bennett
Mr. Bill Pike
Mr. Mike Polsinelli
Mr. Scott Grace
Ms. Toni Mette
Mr. Lowell Peterson
Mr. Stan Anderson
Mr. Dale Summers
Mr. Joe Laura
Mr. Conrad Carson
Mr. Marvin Walkon
Mr. Adelard Raby
Members Absent: Mr. Ed Brown
Others Present: Mr. John Nagy, Director
Mrs. Jean Garvey, Secretary
Mr. Michael McGee, City Council
Mr. Richard Niedieck, Livonia Economic Development Office
Mr. Bill Poppenger, Planning Department
Approximately 30 persons were in attendance. (A sign in sheet of persons
attending is attached to this set of minutes)
Chairman Pike began the meeting by introducing the following people from the
City: Mike McGee, City Council; Dale Jurcisin, City Council and Bob Bishop,
Treasurer. Mr. Pike then introduced and turned the meeting over to Mayor
Bennett.
Mayor Bennett gave an overview of what the Plymouth Road Development Authority is
all about. Mayor Bennett mentioned several projects the City had undertaken in
an effort to upgrade Plymouth Road but stated they needed other ways to approach
the problems along Plymouth Road, therefore, they determined to develop a Plymouth
Road Development Authority.
The Mayor introduced the members of the Authority and told in what capacity they
were serving on the board.
Mayor Bennett then gave a brief description of the three basic methods of
financing, which was also set forth on the back of the handout that was passed
out to all persons attending the meeting.
Mr. Nagy presented maps outlining the district. Small maps of the district were
also available for distribution.
(11, Chairman Pike reviewed for the audience what the PRDA has already done. He also
gave examples of other cities that had established downtown development
authorities. Mr. Pike informed the audience that schedules of the PRDA meetings
were available and everyone was welcome to attend. He stated it was a long term
project for Plymouth Road.
The meeting was then opened up for questions and answers. Mr. McGee stated on
the handout that was available, there was a list of activities and improvements
being considered by the PRDA. He asked the group for suggestions if they felt
there was something they missed and also to let them know what to them was most
important. The following are some of the comments made:
Livonia Tire Store property needs fixing up.
Concern about tax dollars being used to improve private property when they
should use their own money. It would be fine if they loaned businesses the
money to fix up their property.
Increase attention to code enforcement.
Has survey been done to find out preferences as far as three methods of
financing?
Looking at size and diverse land uses, was it possible to have walkways?
What kind of marketing and promotional ideas has the PRDA come up with?
Businesses that want to attract customers must have clean windows and look
attractive.
Traffic Control.
George Burns Theatre - area of concern. - Possibility of using it as movie
theatre but dividing it into separate theaters.
No uniformity. Would help aesthetics if there was more uniformity as far as
greenbelts, etc.
Problems with County and State codes when installing new curbing.
The PRDA should take over the maintenance of Plymouth Road from the County.
That way Plymouth Road would be plowed and maintained properly.
When street is torn up for sewers, it never gets put back the way it
originally was. This makes things look bad.
Mr. Bishop, City Treasurer, presented a Plymouth Road Magnet Plan where he showed
the City must actively recruit businesses for a specialty shopping area. His
plan showed they must provide safe walking areas and crossing points, more
parking areas, small seating and people watching spaces, architectural themes for
store renovation and unique street lighting.
Mr. McGee addressed the next step for the PRDA. They would continue to think
about types of things to go into the plan. Within one month the authority will
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take the ideas in the form of a document to a public hearing where everyone will
1160 be involved. The public hearing will probably take place in early April . The
document would be confirmed by ordinance by early May.
On a motion duly made, seconded and unanimously adopted, the Business Community
Meeting of the Plymouth Road Development Authority was adjourned at 8:30
p.m.
Je-f Garvey, Secr- ,ry
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