Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRDA MINUTES 2000-04-06 thw MINUTES OF THE 111TH REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLYMOUTH ROAD DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF LIVONIA The 111th Regular Meeting of the Plymouth Road Development Authority of the City of Livonia, Michigan was called to order at 3:04 p.m., Thursday, April 6, 2000 in the 4th Floor Conference Room at City Hall. Members Present: Mayor Jack E. Kirksey Mr. Michael Polsinelli, Chairman Mr. Jerry Wordhouse, Vice Chairman Mr. Rod Crider Mr. Scott Grace Mr. Dennis Kujawa Ms. Toni Mette Mr. Lowell Peterson Mr. Bill Pike Mr. Adelard Raby Mr. Stan Anderson Mr. Marvin Walkon Members Absent: Mr. Duane Wolfgang Others Present : Mr.John Nagy,Director, P.R.D.A. Mr. Mark Taormina, Planning Director Dr. Robert Auth,Rosedale Gardens Homeowners Association Mrs.JoAnn Marshall, BRI Mr. Scott Reinholt, BRI Mr. Ralph Williams, Citizen Ms. Susan Annibal, Secretary 1. Roll was called. 2. Adoption of the March 16,2000 Minutes: On a motion duly made, seconded and unanimously adopted, it was #2000-73 RESOLVED, that the Minutes of the 110th Regular Meeting held by the Plymouth Road Development Authority on March 16, 2000 are approved. Mr. Polsinelli,Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution adopted. 3. Comments from Chairman: The Chairman has received correspondence from the Mayor on the reappointment of Duane Wolfgang, Marvin Walkon and Dennis Kujawa to the Plymouth Road Development Authority, each for four-year terms now running to May 16, 2004. Also acknowledged was a review letter from MDOT. John Nagy and Lowell Peterson had attended the well-attended MDOT orientation meeting which offered an update on the status of the LPlymouth Road project. Also present were Val Vandersloot and Bob Schron, the City Engineer. Correspondence has also been received from Ashley Capitol on business assistance and referred to the Development Assistance Committee for discussion; thereafter, the subject will be brought back to the full Board for its report and recommendation. 2 r 4. BRI—Construction Update: JoAnn Marshall gave an update which included the subject of the MDOT contract. Contracts have been executed and the contractor will be on site in a couple of weeks. Holophane is scheduled to be on the job on April 17th. Banner Sign will be working with Holophane for the installation of the banner arms and banners. Irish has taken the next shipment of trees to finish up that portion of the project. Bus plaza and curb repair work will start this coming week, the 10th instead of the 17th. Mr. Anderson wonders if it is possible to have the banners secured top and bottom. Could a spring of some sort be used so that the banner arm would give a little bit? It would depend on the size and scale of the banner. One thought is a steel banner arm with a spring coupling for the banners. Scott Reinhold updated the Board on bus shelters and displayed a combined design on preferred designs previously submitted to the Board. The new design would structurally incorporate the horizontal roof line. Quotes have come back in the price range expected. BRI still needs to get a few more figures from them. We can go ahead and get locations. SMART wants to leave the shelter they currently have in the east parking lot at Wonderland Mall, which acts as a hub where buses turn around and travel either north or south. It is close to the Mall, and buses can go in both directions. SMART is not in favor of putting the shelter out on Plymouth Road. They really need a stop there, and then they'd want a shelter at all four corners. If they can keep the stop at its present location, it will continue to act as a hub. It was suggested that we go ahead and put this shelter there so it will tie in with the Center. Regarding this specific shelter, it would back to the sidewalk, the reason for that being inadequate room for a person in a wheelchair in front of the bus. In most cases, this is provided on the sidewalk side. As to lighting of the shelters, BRI hasn't received responses from the manufacturer on the matter. The thought, however, is to put them on the interior of the shelter and direct them upward to eliminate glare. Phase IV-B is still out to bid and due back next week. Bids on signals are due to go out next week. Bases are going in at Harrison and Deering now and waiting on the poles. Concerning Phase V, recently received information shows that since this is an ISTEA project, all easements must be in hand before starting the MDOT project. Every individual owner must be approached to secure any easement of the property given a fair dollar amount on each easement. It will then go back to MDOT for their review. BRI is sending out letters now on all MDOT easements. Signals at two intersections are being done now, along with bus plazas and curb repair. Basile is getting crews together now and will start next week. Many different contractors would soon be on the Corridor, including some already on the scene now. As for the trees already in and now being planted in Phase III, they are still under warranty should there be any problems. 5. Reports from Committees: Public Relations: Board members received an advance copy of the Spring PRDA Newsletter, which is ready for City-wide distribution Mette 's Printery, Inc. did the printing again this year. All residents and businesses of the City will be mailed copies, as well as out-of-town land owners. Special PRDA recognition was given to Edward's Glass recent renovation project is written up, noting its attractive glass façade on Plymouth Road. There are many changes at Wonderland Mall, featuring a gilded and mirrored full-size gilded carousel in the year-old food court, as well as many other family and kid-related features such as a free play area for kids under 5, a Jeepers entertainment park, a design-and-ride virtual roller coaster called "X-Scream Motion," and two electric model trains that kids can operate for only a quarter. An especially notable change is Ward's most visible exterior improvement, the cornerstone building for the shopping center. The $10 million major remodeling project includes a newly streamlined roof Lie and two updated entrances facing Plymouth Road. Other Newsletter features include identification of new businesses, as well as new buildings along the Corridor. In recent discussion with Reinhardt Lemke of Wonderland Mall, events are under consideration such as a 3 Six Mile Run to tie it in with some other organization that could use the support like MS or something like that where funds could be raised by PRDA and donated to a specific group. Another idea is to contact the high schools for an event that could take place on a Saturday morning bringing in a band at a local parking lot such as Wonderland Mall or elsewhere to raise awareness of the Corridor's continually changing and enhanced image. Other ideas for future consideration could be fireworks, perhaps in celebration of the completed Plymouth Road Streetscape project. Due to the extensive construction this year, these ideas are out of the question, but perhaps next year. Vacant Buildings: The Sew 'n Vac is about to open on the north side of Plymouth Road between Inkster and Middlebelt. It was noted that Commercial Lawnmower has done a great job at their new site. When the Vacant Building Committee was first initiated, there were eight sites scheduled for demolition. There were currently buildings available for purchase and possible demolition. Clements Circle homeowners were considering uses for the vacant Lasky Furniture building. There is currently a group thinking about suggested uses for that building. Parking problems there were discussed. Although Lasky had no parking problems, other uses could have. A furniture store has the lowest parking requirements. There was a suggestion to research the price on this the Lasky building and demo costs. (Comments on PRDA involvement were discussed.) The Vacant Buildings Committee and the Director were requested to gather information for a report and recommendation to the Board on the subject. Commenting on possible events we could incorporate on the Corridor, Mr. Grace suggested storytelling at the Noble Library. He'd bring in a flyer next meeting in connection with Farmington's annual Founders Festival celebration. Wonderland Mall offered things for kid. The good thing about (w. kids' events was that parents and grandparents brought the kids—and that meant shoppers! Construction Committee: The pre-construction meeting for the repaving of the road has not been held, yet. Once that occurred, a pre-construction meeting can be held with the state and the county. Chaining equipment to our new posts with contractor's equipment was discussed as a potential problem. We need to protect against damage. Contractor's employees can't park between the curb and sidewalk. We will have to police that ourselves. With all the contractors, it will be a mess for a while; but we've got an investment to protect out there and need to cooperate with the people doing the project. A work schedule was requested as soon as possible and before actually starting the work so the contractors will understand PRDA's position while they are out there. That is public right-of-way, but reasonable restrictions can be made. It was suggested that it be put in writing. Construction crews can park along some side streets. We don't want chains for equipment on our poles; and they will definitely be parking between the sidewalk and the curb. While we are prepared to perform maintenance on those poles, we aren't prepared to do it, yet! There was commentary on debris and equipment not removed after construction by a contractor elsewhere on the Corridor. If some guarantee of construction material and debris not being removed at the completion of a job, the situation like what is occurring at Farmington north of Five Mile may result. Rawhorn Electric is hired for signals. They are going to put everything back the way it was, although it is getting pretty messy down there. The electrical contractor and any future contractors will have to restore that area they tear up as part of their work. MDOT is doing the street paving, and they are responsible to restore their right-of-way, because it is their project. The State does not install irrigation systems in their right-of-way. We have put it in their right-of-way. We will have to closely monitor the contractor so they do not damage our irrigation system. There would be inspectors and reports. It would be done to the best of our abilities. It was suggested that PRDA invest in a camera. The Director could take Polaroid pictures. 4 Inspection: Nothing to report. Development Assistance Committee: The Committee's updated report was at the Legal Department level at present and would be available at the next regular PRDA meeting. This will be sent to the Council to explain our Development Assistance Program. 6. Director's Report: There is a development proposal at the northeast corner of Eckles and Plymouth Road coming in for re-development. Mark Taormina reported that this would be at the end of the District, the northeast corner, where an existing service station stands. The entire improved area of the site is limited to about 'A the site or about one acre in size. They plan to remove that building and plan a 3600 square foot facility that would provide six new pump islands with a canopy, with one entrance on Plymouth Road and one entrance from Eckles. The proposal more than satisfies the City's requirements for landscaping. It is an all-brick design with standing seam metal roof and includes a convenience market. The construction proposed is all face brick with limestone cap, brick columns with masonry all the way down to the base. There will be all new signage. Remediation is being done on the site, with a 40-50 foot easement immediately next to it. The item will before the Planning Commission Tuesday,April the 11th. 7. Polling of Board Members Mr.Anderson: Passed. Mr. Pikes. Passed. Mr. Peterson: Passed.. Mr. Crider Passed. Ms. Melte: The maintenance contract was just signed last week. The first thing to be done is debris pick-up. The most major pick-up will be taking care of the flower beds. There is a lot of debris along the road where winter snow prevented clean up. That must be the County, because they maintain it for the State. In response to an inquiry of telephone poles being removed, the project will move eastward. From Middlebelt, they've moved all the way to the west of Farmington. Banners are going up the week of the 17th- We have almost 80 or so banner arms. Mr. Kujawa: Passed. Mr. Polsinelli mentioned the Mayor's Spring Ball coming up on May the 5th. Dr. Robert Auth commented that the Rosedale Homeowners Association offered its thanks for the sprinklers in front of the subdivision pillars along Plymouth Road. 8. Adjournment: On a motion duly made, seconded and unanimously adopted,the 111th Regular Meeting held by the Plymouth Road Development Authority on April 6, 2000 was adjourned at 4:10 p.m. The next meeting of the Plymouth Road Development Authority will be held on May 4, 2000 at Riverside Arena, 36335 Plymouth Road, Livonia, MI at 3:00 p.m. tike a7f.,-cA2A-e— Susan Annibal, Secretary oe • LC' •