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Steve Tobocman
FACES
Steve Tobocman
Steve Tobocman has a long history of helping others. Though he will soon no longer serve as executive director for Global Detroit due to a recent move to California with his family, he will continue to support the organization that creates strategies to strengthen the region through immigrant inclusion, a cause that means a lot to him.
Tobocman has also led the creation and growth of the Welcoming Economies Global Network (WE Network) that strengthens, maximizes and sustains the impact of inclusive economic development initiatives in the Rust Belt.
Growing up in Farmington Hills – and in Birmingham and Bloomfield where his father lived following his parents’ divorce – Tobocman would go on to earn a law degree and a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Michigan.
But it was his time at Cranbrook Schools which laid the foundation for his career path. Tobocman still recalls the high school assemblies featuring community leaders like Mother Waddles, who spoke about the importance of public service. “My four years at Cranbrook helped instill in me the confidence to pursue a lot of different things and make an impact by giving back; the highest calling I could make of my career,” he said. “It shaped me.”
In his 25-year career that includes serving as a state representative, his positions have always focused on public service.
“I want to make a difference and I am very fortunate to be able to do that,” said Tobocman, who also credits being raised in a progressive household for building awareness about social justice issues.
His efforts continue through the work of Global Detroit that targets Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and Washtenaw counties. “It’s as relevant for Oakland County as it is for the city of Detroit when you talk about the benefit of immigrants and economic inclusion,” he said.
“It makes a difference for the auto sector, which is relevant to all of these levels that are very important to the economic well being of Birmingham and Bloomfield. Oakland County has much to be proud of with over 1,000 foreign-owned firms. It’s a global center for auto design and technology, with skilled STEM professionals and corporate leaders. Oakland County is quite diverse, and pretty close to the national average of 13 percent with people who come from all over the world.”
There is also growth for working-class immigrants and refugees as well. “They are an important part to the Oakland County economy,” he said.
“The work we’re doing is aligned with the priorities for Oakland County. There are opportunities for working-class residents across the board. The diverse residents of Oakland County can identify with the fact that America is a welcoming place. People fleeing persecution like Jews, Iraqi Christians and Muslims came here where people can be free and pursue the American dream.”
Tobocman says they are always trying to connect with employers who have workforce shortages to help fill needed positions. They also help immigrants launch startups and assist with growth and expansion for their existing businesses.
His work hits close to home. “My family came to America seeking freedom and opportunities and they found incredible opportunities in Detroit. It’s the same today with refugees fleeing persecution,” said Tobocman.
“Immigrants enrich the lives of all of us and our community. In the auto industry, immigration creates huge growth. People come to Detroit from all over the world with the same ideals and the same basic principles – to build a Michigan and a region that is second to none.”
Website: globaldetroitmi.org
Old Woodward project moving forward
By Kevin Elliott
Processes moved forward on Monday, March 14, for the third and final phase of the Old Woodward reconstruction project, between Brown and Landon streets, as Birmingham City Commissioners unanimously approved a public hearing on April 11 to establish a special assessment district (SAD) for property owners in the area.
The project, which previously included the completed reconstruction of North Old Woodward and Maple Road, includes sidewalk and streetscape changes to enhance safety, traffic and compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act. On April 11, the commission will hold a public hearing to establish the district. If approved, the city pays for 25 percent of the cost of sidewalk and streetscape improvements, with affected property owners responsible for an amount proportional to the approximate frontage along the roadway.
The commission meeting on March 14 included a hearing of necessity, which is required before establishing the special assessment district.
“There is a sequence of hearings that have to take place, and there were gaps in the estimates between the original estimates and when it comes before the commission as a necessity,” said Birmingham City Manager Tom Markus.
Costs for the final phase, which includes the streetscape and sidewalk improvements, as well as construction of the roadway and utilities, are about $2.2 million higher than originally planned prior to COVID. Markus said final costs are still very rough estimates, as world affairs continue to dramatically impact the cost of construction projects.
“Anyone who thinks they can estimate (costs) with what is going on in the world right now – they are fooling themselves,” Markus said.
Commissioners indicated they were eager to move the project forward in hopes of avoiding additional increases for construction. However, three business owners in the project area asked commissioners to hold off on the project, which will result in a loss of 68 on-street parking spaces.
Jason Long, who represents 555 LLC, said the property owners in the proposed SAD for sidewalk and streetscape improvements are being asked to pay for a benefit that they don’t feel will benefit businesses.
“We feel the cost far exceeds the benefit we receive,” he said. “In fact, with the loss of parking, we believe the benefit may be moving away from us, rather than closer to us.”
Jack Reinhardt, co-owner of Mannerwood Properties and managing partner of 555 LLC, said the loss of parking will hurt business.
“The street parking is critical,” Reinhardt said. “People come in for an hour and pump money into the meter, and then they are gone. It’s very busy from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., and then from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., and it’s critical to the tenants – this taking 68 parking spots burdens that whole area. We are losing 68 parking spots and you expect us to pay for it?”
Reinhardt said he has struggled with vacancies at the building for many years, eventually marketing to lifestyle tenants, such as yoga and fitness studios. He said the building is now just one lease away from being at 100 percent capacity.
Joe Vicari, owner and operator of the Birmingham Pub, also urged commissioners to hold off on the project to see if some parking could be saved. Further, he said he believes construction costs would go down in the future, as he braces for a potential depression.
Former mayor and city commissioner Mark Nickita, an architect and urban designer, said the loss of parking is necessary because the current design is outdated and illegal.
“City staff has defined that we have issues with parking, ADA compliance, turning radius and fundamental, problematic situations,” Nickita said. “The only way to keep parking the same is to never do this project. Whenever we do this project, we will have to address parking, and the current parking situation is illegal. It can’t be rebuilt as-is. The only other option is to do the project, essentially never.”
Commissioner Andrew Haig noted he has had longstanding concerns about the loss of parking, said Nickita raises valid points, but still hoped there could be changes to help retain parking. However, he was clear that the southern portion of Old Woodward is in need of reconstruction to match the rest of the improved roadway.
“South Old Woodward looks like a dump,” he said. “We need to finish this side.”
Commissioner Pierre Boutros also said the project must be completed.
“I don’t want to lose parking, but you can’t rebuild under new requirements and have it the way it is. We are enhancing the street and finishing the hard work we started six years ago,” he said. “We are trying to help businesses and our downtown thrive.”
Birmingham 2040 Plan awaiting review
By Kevin Elliott
The Birmingham Planning Board on Wednesday, March 9, finished its review of the second draft of the city’s 2040 Master Plan, which will be sent to the city commission for a final review during a joint-study session.
The planning board received the second draft of the plan in October of 2021 from planning consultants DPZ CoDesign, and has held six workshops to review each chapter of the plan. The plan acts as a roadmap for development and the character of the city and its residential neighborhoods, business areas and all other zoning districts in the city. The plan also brings together transportation, parks and recreation, and pedestrian plans.
Planning board members on March 9 shared their insight and concerns with DPZ consultant Matthew Lambert, who has been working with the city and public to craft the plan.
Lambert said he was hoping to affirm the general direction of the plan and discuss its priorities. He provided the board with a list of 20 points describing the general direction of the plan, as well as eight priorities.
Priorities from the top down were listed as: improving traffic and safety crossing on Woodward Avenue; Market North and the Lower Rail districts; establishing a sustainability board; unbundling downtown parking/studying attainable housing goals; improvements along the Rouge River; implementing the unimproved streets plan; updating zoning codes; and studying Haynes Square.
Planning board member Stuart Jeffares said a key priority of the plan should be to unify the city. “The city is split to the east and west of Woodward, and a goal of the master plan is to unify the two sides. The crossing makes it easier, but it’s also a higher level thing.”
Board members also pushed back on Lambert’s recommendation to pursue 20 mph speed limits in residential neighborhood streets.
“It’s a bad idea,” said board member Daniel Share. “It doesn’t work. We shouldn’t spend time on it in the master plan.
Share also recommended incorporating zoning recommendations with neighborhood preservation, rather than updating codes to remove redundancies or outdated language alone. Board members Bryan Williams and Bert Koseck agreed, adding that the plan should stress actionable items, rather than concepts.
“The city has to take initiative,” Koseck said. “The master plan can’t sit and languish. Priorities must be clear and stress why time is of the essence.”
“We are impressing on the city commission the priority of items on the list, but also to incorporate those that effect development into ordinance language,” Williams said. “Saying ‘maybe one day we will get a park in the Triangle District or Haynes Square’ isn’t good enough. With some of these items there will have to be consideration of ordinance changes as provisions in the plan. In general, the city hasn’t done a good job with incorporating that into the plan.”
Trustees approve $25 million budget
By Lisa Brody
Bloomfield Township Trustees unanimously approved the 2022-2023 fiscal year budget of $24.9 million at their meeting on Monday, March 14.
The 2022-2023 fiscal year runs from April 1, 2022 through March 31, 2023.
Supervisor Dani Walsh and finance director Jason Theis presented the annual budget, which includes projected revenues of $9.64 million in property taxes to the general fund, up 4.7 percent from the current budget; $5.5 million in transfers from other township funds; $4.4 million state revenue sharing; $1.6 million in revenues from the 48th District Court; and $1.3 million in rent.
Projected expenditures for fiscal year 2022-2023 include $4.2 million in salaries; $1.75 million to the 48th District Court; $1.1 million for professional services; and $12.1 million in capital outlay. The expense of $25.9 million for public safety is in the public safety fund budget, which will receive $25.9 million in property tax revenue.
A general millage of .9270 was approved, down from .9352 mills in 2021-2022. The 2021 tax levy raised $3,950 million; the 2022 tax levy is projected to raise $4,151 million.
Theis said there were changes to revenue projections since the preliminary budget was presented, notably that the original taxable value projection of $4.4 billion increased to $4.45 billion, which equated to about $475,000 of additional revenue. Expected court revenue decreased by $100,000, and EMS transport fees increased by $50,000.
He said there were $900,000 in unanticipated costs new to this budget to maintain the stormwater assets due to record rainfall in 2021, which led to the discovery that these were the township's responsibility to identify, assess, repair, replace as necessary and maintain.
As for the township's long-term liabilities and debt, Theis said the defined benefit pension plan was funded 93.44 percent by March 31, 2021, with a 2022-2023 pension contribution of $5 million. The OPEB (other post-employment benefits) trust was 21.29 percent funded by March 31, 2021, with a 2022-2023 contribution of $1.25 million.
New method for water and sewer rates set
By Lisa Brody
Following a previous study session and public hearing, Bloomfield Township trustees approved setting a new method for setting water and sewer rates at their meeting on Monday, March 14, one that initially does not include charging for secondary water meters, with subsequent years following up with a plan to charge for those who have added a secondary water meter at their home.
Olivia Olsztyn-Budry explained that the end of the current rate year is approaching, with water and sewer rates for fiscal year 2022-2023 scheduled to be presented to trustees on April 11. A new rate structure is needed so that staff can finalize rates prior to the meeting.
Since 2000, the township’s water purchase from its supplier, Detroit Water and Sewer Department (DWSD)/Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) and South Oakland County Water Authority (SOCWA), has been generally decreasing, with annual fluctuations due to weather. “It is anticipated that the water purchase trend will continue to decline both from customer’s conserving water and more water efficient facilities available for new homes and updated homes. Even if all expenses remained the same in the future years, water and sewer rates would continue to increase due to the declining trend in water purchases,” she said.
Olsztyn-Budry explained that over the past several months, Raftelis has been working with the township in developing the water and sewer financial plan and considering rate options and impacts. She said operating expenses include the costs for the purchase of water from SOCWA and the purchase of sewage conveyance and treatment in the Evergreen Farmington Sewage Drain (EFSD) by the Oakland County Water Resource Commissioner's Office (WRC). Operating expenses also include the local township costs such as personnel costs, repair and maintenance, and many others.
Olsztyn-Budry said about 87 percent of the township's water and sewer customers are single family residential, about three percent are commercial and about 10 percent are multi-family.
The township currently has fixed charges: there is the debt charge per residential equivalent unit, called REU based on usage and the readiness to serve (RTS) per customer, which is a flat rate charged regardless of size.
The choices before trustees were to consolidate RTS and Debt Charges (REU) into a single charge based on customer meter size; apply fixed charges to secondary irrigation meters, of which about 3,000 water customers currently have, or to maintain uniform volume charge for quarterly billing schedule rather than to switch to monthly billing.
After a great deal of discussion between trustees, who felt it was important to phase in the billing of secondary meters rather than to just add it this fiscal year, trustees unanimously voted on plan 2A for this fiscal year, and switch to plan 2B for fiscal year 2023-2024, which will include a secondary meter charge.
Board approves crisis budget amendment
By Lisa Brody
With hopes of beginning to deal with the $14.3 million budget shortfall discovered earlier this year, on Tuesday, March 15, the Birmingham Public Schools Board of Education heard a presentation by Dr. Maria Gistinger, retired assistant superintendent of finance on short and long-term steps the district should take to address budget inaccuracies, shortfalls and wrong millage calculations, and board members unanimously approved a 2021–2022 fiscal year general appropriations budget act to balance the budget.
Gistinger was hired back for the rest of the school year in January by superintendent Dr. Embekka Roberson to perform a thorough review of district finances and collaborate with the district's auditors from Plante Moran after Roberson learned a projected $1.58 million budget shortfall was “actually projected to be $14.3 million due to discrepancies in both revenue and expenditure estimates, including underestimations of salary and retirement calculations for the 2021-22 school year, an overestimation of student enrollment, and an over-levying of property taxes which will result in a credit to taxpayers.”
Embekka announced at the meeting that Jim Larson-Shidler, who had been on leave as assistant superintendent of business services since January 2022, submitted his resignation request on March 8. Rather than pursuing other avenues of redress, she recommended to the board he be paid through the end of his contract, at the end of the school year, and his resignation was approved by the board.
Roberson read a statement before introducing Gistinger, which read in part: “Looking ahead, we are going through our budget line by line, looking for ways to increase operating efficiencies, expand revenue-generating options and seek additional funding sources. We are also implementing improved protocols and practices to ensure this does not occur again. This includes more frequent budget reviews from additional personnel in the finance department and presenting monthly financial statements to the board for consideration.
“While the 2021-2022 budget was approved and the miscalculations made before I became superintendent, I am committed to fixing this by working with staff, the board, students, families and the whole community. Throughout this process, we will be seeking input from all stakeholders to help ensure the budget reflects our priorities and that decisions will be made in a way that minimizes impact on our students. Despite the tough choices and hard decisions that lie ahead, I am confident we can and will emerge stronger by working together and remaining united around our shared goal of providing a worldclass education to our students.”
She said they had been able to balance this current school year's budget using one-time federal grants along with $3.49 million of the district's $20 million fund balance.
In actuality, as Gistinger later made clear upon board questions –the district has not yet been approved for those grants, but merely anticipates receiving the grant money for which they are still applying.
“Not every school district can apply for this funding. We have a very solvent school district,” she stated, while emphasizing that they are one-time funding grants, and the board will have to adjust for the 2022-2023 school year. “If we're not successful in receiving it, the board would have no choice but to use your fund balance (for the remaining 11 million outstanding shortfall).”
Gistinger said while she and others have been going through the budget and financials line by line, where significant discrepancies were revealed, reviews of the budget revealed a much wider discrepancy than originally expected, with revised general fund revenue at $119,716,575, and general fund expenditures at $134,027,703 – for a negative difference of $14,311,128.
There is a $11.4 million discrepancy in general fund expenditures between the original 2021-2022 budget, which was projected at $122,602,855, versus the amended 2021-2022 budget, at $134,027,703. Salary differential was $3.5 million; retirement, $3 million difference; health insurance and other benefits, over $1.2 million difference; and $1.7 million in other fees, along with a variety of other adjustments.
“I discovered a fund balance had been calculated incorrectly for a number of years,” she said.
On the other hand, the amended budget indicates over $3.3 million less in revenue than in the original budget, with almost $5 million less from Proposal A obligation, which is the minimum per pupil funding allowance from the state; $1.2 million less in property taxes; $400,000 less in the public school employees retirement fund; and $700,000 less in per pupil increases.
Enrollment in the district has declined from 8,375 students in the 2012-2013 school year to 7,283 students in the 2021-2022 school year. However, the district received funding for 7,297 students for this school year, an excess of 545 students. “BPS has been in a state of decline for many years, and that will need to be addressed by the administration,” she said.
“Moving forward, the goal is to create an efficient education system without sacrificing opportunities for students,” she said, which they are doing by enacting a zero-based budgeting approach, and recommending the district work with the county treasury and the district's auditors.
As for the improperly calculated homestead property tax millage, she said they are recommending deferring the money collected for next year as if it was already collected from residents, and they will be addressing a new homestead property tax millage going forward.
In the long term, Gistinger said the district needs to incorporate enrollment plans and building capacity with their budget planning, and revise the budget process along with the business department for a more accurate result.
Board members voted 5-0 to approve the budget amendment for the current school year, with board members Kimberly Whitman and Adrienne Young absent.
BHS creates public safety director position
By Kevin Elliott
Aretired police sergeant who was also a school liaison officer has been hired in the newly created position as the administrator of public safety for Bloomfield Hills Schools.
Patrick Sidge, who previously served as a police officer in Berkley and Farmington Hills, was been hired by the Bloomfield Hills district in the new role of administrator of public safety. Sidge will work in collaboration with district and school administration to review and establish appropriate regulations, procedures and plans to ensure safe and secure schools. Among other responsibilities, Sidge will regularly review and update the district's emergency operations plans, will work with the information technology team to manage security camera systems, and will serve as the district's liaison to work collaboratively with local law enforcement partners.
Sidge was a police officer for 25 years, including as a police sergeant in Farmington Hills for five years, until 2012. For 12 years of his time as a Farmington Hills police officer, he served as the school liaison officer for Harrison High School. Sidge then served as the director for safe schools for Howell Public Schools, as a criminal justice instructor at Kent Intermediate School District, a court security officer for the 44th District Court of Royal Oak, and worked as the school safety coordinator at Waterford Mott High School.
Sidge attended Michigan State University, receiving a B.A. in criminal justice, and Northwestern University for a degree in supervision of police personnel.
“As a father, I know how important it is for your children to feel safe within their educational communities,” Sidge said. “One of my goals is to work closely with the BHS staff, students, and parents to help ensure this. I look forward to getting to know the BHS community and working together.”
City sets hearing on outdoor dining rules
By Kevin Elliott
Long awaited changes to Birmingham’s outdoor dining ordinance intended to allow for expanded dining throughout the year will open to a public hearing on Wednesday, April 13, with the city’s planning board.
Planning board members on Wednesday, March 9, unanimously approved setting the public hearing for the proposed ordinance amendments. The meeting also marked the ninth study session held by the board to craft the proposed amendments. The process grew from a December 2020 discussion with the city commission, and the planning board was asked to consider whether outdoor dining enclosures should be permitted during winter months, and what regulations should be recommended if such enclosures are permitted.
The city commission formally asked the board in June 2021 to discuss outdoor dining and get clear direction as to what elements of outdoor dining should be addressed. The discussion included the use of public/private property, dining enclosures and a desire for a comprehensive look at the entire outdoor dining ordinance.
Under the proposed amendments, outdoor dining patios would be permitted to extend in front of neighboring properties with the written permission of the property owner affected, and with planning board approval. All dining elements, such as railings, planters, tables, chairs, heaters and umbrellas, must be stored indoors each night between January 1 and March 31 to allow for snow and ice removal.
The proposed amendments would allow for windbreaks within outdoor dining patios with an affixed barrier. Windbreaks would need to be constructed of clear, rigid and durable materials, with Eisenglass and vinyl prohibited. Patios wouldn’t be permitted to contain enclosures. An enclosure includes a wall, panel or other material that extends more than 60 inches high and provides extended relief from weather, and impedes physical and/or visual access to the space.
Planning board member Stuart Jeffares disagreed that heavy planters should be included in elements brought in each night. Large city planters, he said, are decorated throughout the year and add to the character of an area.
Board chair Scott Clein disagreed, saying a row of empty planters on the ground around an empty dining patio is more of an unsightly barrier on the sidewalk.
The board did agree that adjacent sidewalk patios and street dining platforms must have a minimum space between them to maintain an appropriate, passable sidewalk.
The board will hold a public hearing on the proposed ordinance language at its April 13 meeting.
Planners push retail for Triangle building
By Kevin Elliott
Birmingham Planning Board members considering a six-story, mixed-use building on Wednesday, February 23, in the city’s Triangle District urged developers to increase the amount of retail usage proposed in the area to help activate Adams Road.
A preliminary site plan for the project was considered in January and postponed as board members took issue with the project’s proposed first-floor residential units along S. Adams Road. The board voted on February 23 to further postpone a decision on the plans until their meeting on March 9 because the city’s traffic engineering consultant hadn’t completed its review of the project.
Birmingham Planning Director Nick Dupuis said the applicant’s updated plans call for relocating first-floor retail from Worth Street to Adams, as well as increasing the total height to six floors on one side of the building. Dupuis said the addition would mean about 1.7 percent of the proposed 235,000 square feet of the building would be used for retail business, with 98.3 percent used for residential units.
Planning board member Janelle Boyce said she couldn’t support the project without removing all firstfloor residential from the frontage on Adams.
“We want a retail component on Adams,” she said. “Residential makes sense on Haynes and Worth, but Adams presents an opportunity. I really need that to happen. I hope you find a way to do that.”
Board member Stuart Jeffares agreed.
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city. This and the Rail District are an opportunity to put a bow on one of the best places to live in the country,” Jeffares said. “There’s not a lot of large parcels in this area, so if you give a pass for no retail, then we’ll never get it. I really think being this large of a parcel, we really have to be careful and make sure this embodies the flavor and spirit of the Triangle plan. It fits in a lot of ways. The amount of residential it represents in the area is 30 percent of what the master plan calls to increase, but the retail that the plan calls for – it’s about one percent.”
Board member Daniel Share said the lack of parking along Adams Road understandably makes establishing retail business in the area challenging.
“I don’t see much activity by people being drawn into that part of town in cars to go to retail on Adams,” Share said. “While I would like to have an active street, I’m not sure that’s possible on Adams given the traffic and lack of parking on the street there.”
The proposed building would span an entire block, bound by Worth Street, Haynes, a public alley and Adams Road to the east. The project aims to combine parcels, currently containing Citizens Bank, 1000 Haynes, and a two-story office building at 770 S. Adams. The project doesn’t include the corner parcel at 720 S. Adams, formerly the Plant Station. The project is proposed by FHS Birmingham, which includes the Forbes Group, Hunter Pasteur and Soave Enterprises.
The proposed development would include more than 150 high-end residential units; an on-side parking garage with 266 spaces; workout and yoga facilities; a pool deck and gathering spaces.
The planning board was expected to review the project’s community impact study and preliminary site plan and design review in March.
License renewals may be delayed by city
By Lisa Brody
Two dozen Birmingham establishments serving alcohol could
have delays with annual liquor license approved by the city if outstanding code violations and/or debts to the city aren’t addressed before Monday, March 28.
Birmingham city commissioners at their meeting on Monday, February 28, approved liquor license renewals for 14 establishments in the city. City commissioners annually review and renew liquor licenses held by drinking establishments in the city. The process allows staff to identify outstanding debts owed to the city or issues identified. The city’s fire, police, building, planning and treasury departments conduct individual reviews of each location to ensure ordinance regulations are being followed.
Those locations with outstanding issues or violations were scheduled to appear at a public hearing on March 28 with the city commission. City manager Tom Markus said he expected the majority, if not all, of the establishments to address the issues prior to the meeting.
“I expect that by the time we get to March 28, you will have very few of these left,” Markus said. “This gives us a month to reiterate the concern about why we are calling for a hearing. Most will be corrected before then.”
Markus said there are many outstanding restaurants in the community, but others appear to be challenging the status quo, in that there have been some with continual infractions, many tied to outdoor dining. Other issues have occurred because the city failed to bill the establishment appropriately.
“One of my pet peeves is when I can’t walk down the sidewalk,” Markus said. “The very purpose of a sidewalk is for mobility of our public. It’s not the primary purpose to have outdoor dining. That’s secondary in my book.
“We had almost daily instruction to certain restaurants in this community to get the chairs out of the walkway, to get the stands, garbage cans, planters and everything else out, on a regular basis,” Markus said. “I contribute that to some restaurants at the management/owner level to convey to those managers. They have a communication issue amongst the
organization. I don’t want our staff managing these restaurants, on the street level especially. They have this figured out when it comes to health standards, but some don’t have it figured out when it comes to the walkway and public rights-of-way in our community.”
Businesses scheduled to appear at the March 28 city commission public hearing include: 220 Merrill; Adachi Restaurant; All Seasons of Birmingham; Bella Piatti; Birmingham 8 Theater; Birmingham Pub; Churchill’s Bistro/Cigar Bar; Daxton; Dick O'Dow’s Irish Pub; Griffin Claw Brewing Company; Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse; Luxe Bar and Grill; Maple Road Tap Room (Whole Foods); Mare Mediterranean; Papa Joe’s; Pernoi; Phoenicia; Salvatore Scallopini; Slice/Shift/Sidecar; Social Kitchen and Bar; Tallulah Wine Bar & Bistro; The Townsend; Toast; and Townhouse.
Commissioners approved liquor license renewals for Brooklyn Pizza; Community House; Elie’s Mediterranean; Emagine Palladium/Ironwood Grill; Fleming's; Forest Grill; Hazel’s; La Strada Cafe; Lincoln Hills Golf Course; Mad Hatter; Market North End; Springdale Golf Course; Streetside Seafood; and The Morrie.
“We are lucky to have such a wonderful, vibrant town because of these establishments,” mayor pro tem Pierre Boutros said. “Many of these violations are very minor issues that can be fixed, and I hope there would be fewer in the future.”
Proposed mixed-use for E. Brown site
By Kevin Elliott
A four-story, mixed-use building proposed at 294 E. Brown Street in Birmingham would include two floors of apartments, a full-floor of office use, first-floor retail and a public courtyard connected to the future Restoration Hardware building, according to plans submitted to the city.
Birmingham Planning Board members met on Wednesday, February 23, to discuss the project, the related community impact study and preliminary site plan. Proposed by a team represented by architect Victor Saroki, who is working with the RH development, the project calls for the removal of the current Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel building at 294 E. Brown, and a complete redevelopment of the site. In its place would stand a 120,000 square foot building, including a 59space underground parking garage.
Saroki said the building is intended to complement the RH development.
“The proposal occupies the entire site, not just the building,” Saroki said. “It includes the building, but has plazas, courtyards, vias, landscaping, a fountain and allows for complete circulation on four sides. There’s a large courtyard through the center of the whole building that is partly open and partly enclosed. Visitors from RH can use those courtyards, and they will have seating, likely with RH furniture. It’s really an extension of what RH does with their courtyards and has been extended here.”
Plans call for an active rooftop for use by building residents, including a swimming pool, lounging area, landscaping, coverings, benches, fire pits, grills and other amenities.
“We intend it to be beautiful,” Saroki said.
Planning board members were supportive of the plans, and no significant issues were identified in the project’s community impact study, site plan or design. However, board members refrained from accepting the plan, as the city’s traffic engineering consultant hadn’t completed a review of the traffic impacts prior to the review.
“This corner will be transformed,” said planning board member Bert Koseck. “There have been critics of the RH project, but this complies with the ordinance. It not only complies, but meets the spirit and intent of what was written in the 2016 Plan. It checks all the boxes in every way. I’m very pleased.”
The board postponed a decision on the preliminary plans and community impact study until March 23, which will include a report from the city’s consultant regarding traffic.
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REALTOR CHRISTINE DRINKWATER
ASSOCIATE BROKER
KMOODY@THEAGENCYRE.COM M 248.884.8440 T 248.644.3500 CDRINKWATER@THEAGENCYRE.COM M 248.318.4745 T 248.644.3500
DAN TEAHAN
ASSOCIATE BROKER
523 CAMBRIDGE WAY | BLOOMFIELD TWP.
1,952 Sq. Ft. | 2 Beds | 3 Baths | $699,000
Desirable Heathers Community with this rare “Carlton” end-unit ranch condo. The condo features a light-filled island kitchen with large breakfast nook, dining room and great room overlooking the 8th fairway, a large guest bedroom and generous master suite (also overlooking course) the with large walk-in closets, spacious bath with double sinks, separate jetted tub and shower. The finished lower level is ideal for entertaining with a lovely wet bar (ice maker and wine refrigerator), a full bathroom and bedroom/den and plenty of builtins. There is ample storage with custom shelving and walk-in cedar closet. Updated mechanicals. Start enjoying The Heathers great lifestyle amenities of golf, swimming and tennis. Social/Dining memberships also available.
THE AGENCY HALL & HUNTER 442 S. OLD WOODWARD AVENUE BIRMINGHAM, MI 48009
AssociateBroker cgPero@yahoo.com 248.797.0784
275 S. Old Woodward Downtown Birmingham OveR $73 MilliOn SOld in 2021
If you need any real estate assistance in 2022, please call, text or email me anytime. I work as both a buyers agent and as a listing agent and can assure you my best effort, honesty and integrity with 22 plus years of experience in the local market. If you choose to work with me, I will be your only point of contact, not a team of others.
1060 Ardmoor - Bloomfield Township - $1,750,000 Amazing restoration of this 5 bedroom, 3.1 bath mid century modern split level home. Beautiful and spacious living spaces throughout. Gorgeous backyard with new gunite saltwater pool. 3675 Squirrel - Bloomfield Township - $1,195,000 Beautiful 4 bedroom, 3 bath home on 1.24 acres newly built from the ground up in 2015. Gorgeous kitchen, main floor office and mudroom off 3 car garage. Great upstairs master and second floor laundry. 711 Kennebec - Bloomfield Hills - $1,050,000 Nicely updated and well maintained 3 bedroom, 3.1 bath ranch in Rudgate Sub. High quality upgrades throughout including large renovated eat-in kitchen. Walking distance to Cranbrook.
32355 Westlady - Beverly Hills - $879,000 Perfectly situation 3 bedroom, 2.1 bath updated ranch on almost an acre. Gorgeous remodeled white chef’s kitchen. Amazing covered patio and separate detached studio/workshop. 2468 Hickory Glen – Bloomfield Hills - $649,900 Beautiful 3 bedroom, 2.1 bath condo with gorgeous first floor master suite. Updated kitchen includes premium appliances. Finished lower level space with daylight windows. 2 car attached garage. Sale Pending
32300 Plumwood - Beverly Hills - $549,900 Move in ready 3 bedroom, 2 bath ranch on a beautiful 1.24 acre fenced lot. Renovated kitchen, remodeled main bath, mud room off attached garage.
4379 Patrick - West Bloomfield - $425,000 Well maintained and cared for 4 bedroom, 2.1 bath home well located within Potomac Green. Beautiful yard with paver patio. Laundry and mudroom off attached 2 ½ car garage. 590 Riverside - Birmingham - $399,000 One of 2 vacant sites remaining in Riverside Place exclusive development of 8 detached condos steps from downtown Birmingham. Design and build your dream home. 200 S Chester – Birmingham - $3700-$4700/mo Baldwin House in the heart of downtown Birmingham has availability for the 55+ community. One and two bedroom units available. Independent living with numerous amenities, activities and additional options offered.
