Birmingham/Bloomfield

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B L O O M F I E L D

JUNE 2018

PLUS

OAKLAND CONFIDENTIAL POLITICAL NEWS AND GOSSIP

SEWAGE OVERFLOW: 2018 ALREADY SURPASSES 2017 COMPETING CITIES: PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE ENDNOTE: LIQUOR LICENSES FOR NEW HOTELS ECRWSS Postal Customer EDDM

DOWNTOWNPUBLICATIONS.COM

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ROYAL OAK, MI 48068 PERMIT #792

%ORRPĆ HOG 7ZS _ Birmingham | $3,900,000

%ORRPĆ HOG 7ZS _ Bloomfield Twp | $3,499,000

%LUPLQJKDP _ Orchard Lake | $2,250,000

%ORRPĆ HOG +LOOV _ Bloomfield Twp | $2,152,000

%LUPLQJKDP _ Birmingham | $1,090,000

:HVW %ORRPĆ HOG _ Bloomfield Hills | $989,000

Bloomfield Twp | $849,000

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:HVW %ORRPĆ Oakland HOG 7ZS _ Twp | $2,879,000

%LUPLQJKDP _ Birmingham | $1,295,000

%ORRPĆ HOG 7ZS _ Bloomfield Twp | $785,000

%ORRPĆ HOG +LOOV _ Birmingham | $2,499,000

%ORRPĆ HOG 7ZS _ Bloomfield Twp | $1,199,000

%ORRPĆ HOG 7ZS _ Bloomfield Twp | $549,000

Bloomfield Twp | $485,000

NE

KATHERINE SCHUERMAN Client Relations Manager

DAN GUTFREUND Top Producer

CANDICE RICH Real Estate Specialist

DAVID MEISNER Real Estate Specialist

HOMES THAT INSPIRE. A TEAM THAT DELIVERS. DAN GUTFREUND REALTY GROUP is setting a

new standard for luxury homes and real estate in the state of Michigan. With record-breaking sales, we have shown our unique ability to pair the right buyer with the right seller.

We pride ourselves on our ability to navigate a complex market, and our broad expertise ensures the best possible value for all of our clients. We welcome you to put your trust in an industry leader and contact Dan Gutfreund Realty Group for your next real estate transaction.

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SOLD

2660 FAIRWAY COURT | OAKLAND TWP. $1,199,000

31800 NOTTINGHAM | FRANKLIN $1,549,000

203 CURRY | ROYAL OAK $399,000

WATER FRONT

937 MITCHELL COURT | BLOOMFIELD HILLS $1,299,000

3184 MIDDLEBELT | WEST BLOOMFIELD $1,995,000

654 SHEPARDBUSH | BIRMINGHAM $1,599,000 JUST LISTED

NEW PRICE

1381 BUCKINGHAM | BIRMINGHAM $899,000

76776 THORNHOUSE | SOUTH HAVEN $4,999,000 JUST LISTED

710 KENNEBEC | BLOOMFIELD HILLS $1,000,000

1055 LARCHLEA DRIVE | BIRMINGHAM $1,799,000

PENDING

JUST LISTED

3147 CHESTNUT RUN DRIVE | BLOOMFIELD HILLS $859,000

1759 WEBSTER | BIRMINGHAM $2,600/MO.

NEW PRICE

734 WELLINGTON CIRCLE | ROCHESTER HILLS $999,900

VISIT US AT

iSellMichigan.com

1875 STANLEY | BIRMINGHAM $669,000

DAN@SIGNATURESOTHEBYS.COM 248.497.4646 415 S. OLD WOODWARD BIRMINGHAM, MI 48009

1127 LAKESIDE | BIRMINGHAM $2,499,000

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204 S GLENGARRY | BLOOMFIELD TWP. $749,000

SOLD

PENDING

715 CATALPA | ROYAL OAK $449,000

2230 W. FOURTEEN MILE | ROYAL OAK $149,000

NEW PRICE

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1885 WASHINGTON | BIRMINGHAM $499,000 JUST LISTED

1515 LONE PINE | BLOOMFIELD HILLS $2,799,000

533 WILCOX | ROCHESTER $997,000

608 STANLEY | BIRMINGHAM $2,399,000

COMING SOON

839 RANDALL COURT | BIRMINGHAM $1,170,000

1743 WASHINGTON | BIRMINGHAM $999,000

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580 W. FRANK STREET | BIRMINGHAM $1,899,000

JUST LISTED

770 HANNA | BIRMINGHAM $1,149,000

1481 W. LINCOLN | BIRMINGHAM $499,000 NEW PRICE

1919 LATHAM | BIRMINGHAM $1,088,000

1224 HIDDEN LAKE DRIVE | BLOOMFIELD HILLS $2,099,000

JUST LISTED

8521 MOUNT McSAUBA | CHARLEVOIX $699,900 PENDING

211 WOODSBORO | ROYAL OAK $419,000 NEW PRICE

10445 ELGIN | HUNTINGTON WOODS $424,000

955 S. BATES | BIRMINGHAM $1,599,000 COMING SOON

384 W. BROWN STREET | BIRMINGHAM $599,000

269 CHESTNUT CIRCLE | BLOOMFIELD HILLS $1,599,000

JUST LISTED

1660 LINCOLNSHIRE | ROCHESTER HILLS $1,145,000 SOLD

215 WOODSBORO | ROYAL OAK $419,000 COMING SOON

5525 LEEDS COURT | OAKLAND TWP. $1,099,000

VISIT US AT

iSellMichigan.com

30484 OAKLEAF LANE | FRANKLIN $2,549,000

DAN@SIGNATURESOTHEBYS.COM 248.497.4646 415 S. OLD WOODWARD BIRMINGHAM, MI 48009

745 WALLACE | BIRMINGHAM $1,699,000

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SHOP BIRMINGHAM. BE ELIGIBLE FOR SPECIAL DRAWING! That’s right. During the April – June portion of the Birmingham downtown paving project, continue to frequent retailers and businesses in downtown Birmingham and look for the Dig This City logo on entranceways to participating merchants.

If you make a purchase at a participating merchant (nearly 30 of them), you will be asked fill out an entry blank to be entered into a drawing at the end of June. Participating merchants appear on the next two pages and throughout this issue of the newsmagazine.

We will be giving away four Delta airlines flight cards, two with a face value of $500 each and two with a face value of $250 each. Four shoppers will win one of four $100 gift cards to local restaurants. Plus there are special drawing items from some merchants, like Shades Optical ($500 certificate); Astrein’s Creative Jewelers (three $100-certificates); Tender ($300 certificate); Lucido Fine Jewelry (five $100-certificates); Ceresnie & Offen Furs ($200 certificate); Nina McLemore ($200 certificate); and Sundance Shoes (three $50-certificates).

Downtown newsmagazine has partnered with merchants in downtown Birmingham to demonstrate to shoppers that – excuse the mess – downtown Birmingham is open for business during the road reconstruction project and it is an especially good time to visit the shops in downtown Birmingham.

There are a number of activities planned and special shopping incentives are being offered by the downtown businesses, so watch for further updates as we move through the construction project this spring and into part of the summer.

Here’s the list of merchants participating in the Dig This City drawing at the end of June: Adventures In Toys Astrein’s Creative Jewelers Back Country North Barbara Boz Boutique Be Well Lifestyle Center Birmingham Design Studio Carol Lewis Day Spa Caruso Caruso Ceresnie & Offen Furs Cicchini’s Custom Clothiers

Don Thomas Sporthaus Fleming’s Prime Steak House Found Objects Gazelle Sports Grinstein’s Jewelry & Design Harp’s Lingerie Lucido Fine Jewelry Nina McLemore Rivage Day Spa Sara Campbell Ltd.

Shades Optical Sundance Shoes Supernatural Tender The Birmingham Tailor Try It Raw SEE DessiS EGG by Susan Lazar

Refresh your summer jewelry wardrobe with one of a kind handmade pieces!

Every Tuesday | 6:30 pm Gazelle Sports Birmingham

This FREE walking group is open to all levels. Join us as we walk from various locations around Birmingham.

162 South Old Woodward Ave. Birmingham MI. 248-647-4414 www.grinsteinjewelry.com

Join us at the corner of Maple & Pierce | 248.282.4874

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Winners will be selected for two Delta airline gift cards

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During the months of April, May and June, if you make a purchase at one of the two dozen participating merchants, your name is entered into a special drawing taking place at the end of the three-month period.

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valued at $500 each; two Delta airline gift cards each valued at $250; along with four $100 value gift cards to downtown Bimingham restaurants. Plus there will be gift certificates from some local merchants, including a $500 gift card from Shades Optical; Astrein’s, three $100-gift cards; Tender, $300 gift card; Lucido, five $100-gift cards.

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Downtown newsmagazine is partnering with merchants in downtown Birmingham during the Old Woodward road construction project that is now underway to help make the shopping experience in the city even more memorable than normal.

In addition to the Dig This City promotional contest, organized by Downtown newsmagazine, the downtown Birmingham Shopping District (BSD) will be hosting a number of activities during the construction period.

250 W. Maple 248-646-5550 A UNIQUE SELECTION OF BABY TOYS GAMES • DOLLS • CRAFTS • BOOKS SCIENCE KITS • OUTDOOR TOYS AND MORE

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Monday - Saturday 10am-6pm Sunday 11:30am-5pm

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VALET PARKING AVAILABLE www.flemingssteakhouse.com

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The Old Woodward Avenue construction projects will be taking place from Willits to Brown streets.

Free valet parking will be available at strategic points in the downtown area, along with

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enhanced lighting in the shopping district.

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All stores will be open during the Old Woodward construction project as the city replaces underground infrastructure and above ground will create an enhanced streetscape with wider sidewalks and mid-block crosswalks that will add to the downtown area’s walkability.

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248.385.5960

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artisanal casual-luxe jewelry & accessories 266 E. Maple Road | BarbaraBozBoutique.com

The BSD is already organizing a gathering of artists who will use temporary sidewalk partitions as their canvas as part of the activity.

The BSD has also announced that they will be providing shoppers with added incentives such as its Birmingham Bucks program that provides credit toward future purchases for anyone spending $100 or more in a Birmingham store during the construction period.

248-792-6570 248-792-6570 We accept insurance!

We accept insurance! www.BeWellLifeStyleCenters.com 750 www.BeWellLifeStyleCenters.com S Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham, 48009

GET ENERGIZED LOSE WEIGHT WITH THE POWER OF RAW PLANTS

TRY IT RAW CAFE since 2012 690 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham, MI 48009

248-220-1999 DonThomasSporthaus.com

248.593.6994 www.tircafe.com Hours: M-F 7am - 6pm, Sat 9am - 6pm, Sun 11am - 3pm.

Celebrating a woman's beauty for 70 years 265 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham, MI 48009

248.642.2555

www.harps-lingerie.com Monday thru Saturday: 9:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

(No appointment necessary)

DOWNTOWN06.18

50

Cities up their game to remain relevant A number of Oakland County communities, including Birmingham, are pushing improvements that allow them to remain of interest to both millennials and baby boomers who are looking for the “urban” experience.

LONGFORM

37

Oakland County comes in for criticism by neighboring Macomb County when it comes to sewer and stormwater overflows during heavy rains but officials here say they meet all state requirements when it comes to water releases.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

22

Downtown newsmagazine will be producing a Special Primary Election Voter Guide that will be part of the upcoming July issue when absentee ballots will start being distributed for the August vote.

OAKLAND CONFIDENTIAL

24

It’s Kerry vs. Rocky but in court; more predictions from the crystal ball on congressional 11th District; 40th House no longer GOP bastion; Slotkin windfall from bundling; plus more.

CRIME LOCATOR

29

A recap of select categories of crime occurring in the past month in Birmingham, Bloomfield Township and Bloomfield Hills, presented in map format.

THE COVER The welcoming entrance sign to Bloomfield Hills on Woodward, designed by Robert Dempster of Dempster Designs and donated by the late Hoot McInerney in 2005.

Downtown photo: Jean Lannen.

104

Melissa Parks

MUNICIPAL

79

Battle over liquor license for new hotel; bistro rule changes proposed; safety path millage vote; retired police officers’ lawsuit tossed by judge; Henry Ford Health Care joins Village at Bloomfield, plus more.

SOCIAL LIGHTS

108

Society reporter Sally Gerak provides the latest news from the society and non-profit circuit as she covers recent major events.

ENDNOTE

114

The storm and waste water overflow problem in Oakland County. Plus our take on the hotel liquor license ordinance in Birmingham.

FACES

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Michael Smith Audrey Elkus Lily Fenster Bill Ludwig Melissa Parks

TEMPERLEY LONDON

MARNI

PIERRE HARDY

SIMONE ROCHA

FASHION IS THE COURAGE TO MAKE YOUR OWN STATEMENT

271 West Maple • Birmingham • 248.258.0212 • tenderbirmingham.com

PUBLISHER David Hohendorf NEWS EDITOR Lisa Brody NEWS STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS Hillary Brody Anchill | Dana Casadei | Kevin Elliott Sally Gerak | Austen Hohendorf | Bill Seklar Judith Harris Solomon | Julie Yolles PHOTOGRAPHY/CONTRIBUTORS Jean Lannen | Laurie Tennent | Chris Ward Laurie Tennent Studio VIDEO PRODUCTION/CONTRIBUTOR Garrett Hohendorf Giant Slayer ADVERTISING DIRECTOR David Hohendorf ADVERTISING SALES Mark Grablowski GRAPHICS/IT MANAGER Chris Grammer OFFICE 124 W. Maple Birmingham MI 48009 248.792.6464 DISTRIBUTION/SUBSCRIPTIONS Mailed monthly at no charge to most homes in Birmingham, Bloomfield Township and Bloomfield Hills. Additional free copies distributed at high foot-traffic locations in downtown Birmingham.

For those not receiving a free mail copy, paid subscriptions are available for a $12 annual charge. To secure a paid subscription, go to our website (downtownpublications.com) and click on “subscriptions” in the top index and place your order online or scan the QR Code here.

INCOMING/READER FEEDBACK We welcome feedback on both our publication and general issues of concern in the Birmingham/Bloomfield community. The traditional “letters to the editor” in Downtown are published in our Incoming section and can include written letters or electronic communication.

Opinions can be sent via e-mail to news@downtownpublications.com or mailed to Downtown Publications, 124 W. Maple Road, Birmingham MI 48009.

If you are using the mail option, you must include a phone number for verification purposes.

WEBSITE downtownpublications.com

FACEBOOK facebook.com/downtownpublications TWITTER twitter.com/downtownpubs OAKLAND CONFIDENTIAL oaklandconfidential.com Member of Downtown Publications DOWNTOWN BIRMINGHAM/BLOOMFIELD DOWNTOWN ROCHESTER/ROCHESTER HILLS

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3860 Mystic Valley Drive | Bloomfield Private and serene resort-style property nestled on 6+ acres (three parcels) enjoys spectacular views of Lower Long Lake and its stunning surroundings. The residence boasts Art Deco style throughout lightflooded interiors spanning 6300+ square feet. Grand foyer offers spectacular skylights and is highlighted by a Zen-like courtyard with koi pond. Fine finishes, high quality materials and architectural accents grace the home featuring glass-walled dining room, elegant living room with 2-story Pewabic tile accented atrium, chef’s kitchen with blonde wood cabinetry and welcoming open family room. Gracious master suite has dual bathrooms and closets. A bedroom transformed into an additional closet along with full bath and ensuite bedroom complete the upper level. Walkout lower level features rec room, stunning mahogany family room and bar with light streaming in from atrium. Easy entertaining on bluestone terrace surrounding stunning pool, meticulous landscaping and 242’ on Lower Long Lake. 6-car garage. $2,499,000

CINDY OBRON KAHN An Extraordinary Agent Providing Extraordinary Results 2017 TOP PRODUCER at Hall & Hunter Realtors 248.568.7309 | Cindy@CindyKahn.com | CindyKahn.com 442 S. Old Woodward Ave. Birmingham, MI 48009

CINDY OBRON KAHN 2017 TOP PRODUCER at Hall & Hunter Realtors 248.568.7309 | Cindy@CindyKahn.com | CindyKahn.com

City of Bloomfield Hills 1115 Country Club Road | $3,999,000

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European inspired manor home on almost 2 peaceful and private acres in the highly sought-after Cranbrook Community neighborhood.

7,592 SF | 4 Bedrooms | 6 Full, 2 Half Baths | MLS# 218015594

8,429 SF | 5 Bedrooms | 5 Full, 2 Half Baths | MLS# 218009389

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City of Bloomfield Hills 559 Bennington Drive | $939,000

Birmingham 1222 Davis Avenue | $749,000

Meticulously renovated (2015) ranch on one acre offers peaceful Impressive new construction home within walking distance to downtown. privacy & wooded views within walking distance to Cranbrook community.

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2,600 SF | 3 BR | 3 Full, 1 Half Baths | MLS# 218023006

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FROM THE PUBLISHER ollowers of Downtown newsmagazine may want to make note that our next issue in July will contain a Voters Guide special section detailing issue positions of any candidates who have opposition in the August 7 primary election, including those running for Congress, Michigan House and Senate and the Oakland County Board of Commissioners. It’s bound to be one of the better read issues that we produce this year.

F

Our work on the Voters Guide actually began months ago as we hosted periodic meetings with some candidates who had announced they were running for office this year. We are now in the midst of gearing up to produce what could be a 20page plus special section within our July issue presenting candidates’ answers to questionnaires we sent in early May to about 35 Republican and Democrat contenders whose fate will be determined in party primary voting this August. Winners of these primary contests will face off against opponents in the November general election.

For our small staff, needless to say, this is quite an undertaking but we felt the election this year has taken on a special significance, given the background of an especially charged political atmosphere nation-wide. Additionally, we have a couple of open offices where there is no incumbent in the race this election, and then there are predictions that traditional GOP control over some Oakland County area offices could change hands and go to the Democrats, a trend that has been slowly taking hold in the county over the last decade.

Mind you, we have always considered elections an important event, whether a local contest or a race for a state-level office or for Congress. In the past, we have either interviewed or relied on questionnaires for candidates and we have always posted the results of our work on our website where we generally have 60,000 monthly visitors. This year, we are taking the extra step of providing candidate coverage in our print product, and we are producing it in our July issue because that is when ballots will be distributed to absentee voters, a group that has always had significant influence on the outcome of political party primary elections, and a group that is growing in numbers in all local communities in both the primary and the fall general elections.

Our plans for the August primary election Voter Guide is a good segue into the other key point of my column this month – the importance of a stronger than normal turnout for this election, whether you cast a vote through an absentee ballot or physically at the polls on election day.

Unfortunately, too many registered voters – and others who are eligible but have not bothered to register – do not participate in the primary election process, which in the past has meant that a generally older population has determined the outcome of our representative government. The politicians know this so they focus

on those with a track record of voting in past primaries. In Oakland County that has trended in the past towards the Republican party, thanks in large part to how political districts have been carved up by the party in power.

The Democratic party in a number of Oakland County contests in the past has really struggled to field the most worthy of candidates because it has seemed a lost cause. But that is not the case in 2018. You have all no doubt heard talk of a “blue wave” in 2018. Well it is more than just talk – it is here in Oakland and will be determining the outcome of a number of races in November. So your primary vote is critical in determining who will be representing the two major political parties when we get to the November election.

Frankly, I have never understood why voter turnout is not more robust, given the long history of efforts in this country to make voting a right enjoyed by everyone.

When the U.S. Constitution was first written, there really was no definition of who was allowed to vote, so the task of determining eligibility was left up to the states, where in most cases the right of casting a ballot was reserved for white male adults who owned property. Women in most states and men who did not own property generally could not vote.

Eventually the federal government had to take charge over the issue of voting rights because of a patchwork of discriminatory state rules and regulations Thanks to efforts in the past and a number of post-Civil War amendments to the Constitution, race, color and servitude were eliminated as roadblocks to voting (15th amendment in 1870), as was sex (19th amendment in 1920); prohibitions on “poll tax” and other tax restrictions (24th amendment in 1964); and finally the lowering of age limit to 18 in 1971 (26th amendment).

As a side note, the fight to preserve the voting rights of minorities is still far from done, and there have also been a number of efforts in some states to impose new identification requirements for voters that have all the appearances of attempts to suppress the vote, mostly along party lines – the battle over the right to vote still continues. But you get my drift – considerable effort has gone into enshrining our right to vote.

So it is inexcusable to not participate in the upcoming August primary. You have until July 9 to register to vote and you have until a few days before the election to request an absentee ballot.

Make sure your vote counts.

David Hohendorf Publisher DavidHohendorf@DowntownPublications.com

Woodward Construction Sale UP TO

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% OFF

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SHOP WHERE THE DESIGNERS SHOP

248.723.8888 | BirminghamDesignStudio.com | 808 S. Old Woodward Avenue | Birmingham

OAKLAND CONFIDENTIAL Oakland Confidential is a periodic column of political gossip/news, gathered both on and off-the-record by staff members at Downtown newsmagazine.

We welcome possible items for this column which can be emailed to: OaklndConfidential@DowntownPublications.com. All sources are kept strictly confidential. The gossip column can be viewed at OaklandConfidential.com.

FLIPPING THE SWITCH: Political experts are keeping their eyes laser focused on Michigan, for both Congressional and state races, because traditionally safe Republican districts appear poised to flip to the Democratic side. Roll Call, which provides info on Capital Hill and Washington DC, has listed Michigan’s 11th District, which Rep. David Trott is leaving, opening up a feeding frenzy of candidates on both sides of the aisles, as one of five national races where GOP seats have now shifted STEVENS toward Democrats. On May 15, Roll Call said both parties have competitive primary races on August 7, but “this is the type of district Republicans will likely struggle to hold in this environment. Move from ‘Tilts Republican to Toss-up.’ That’ll have the six candidates on the Republican side – Kerry Bentivolio, Kristine Bonds, Lena Epstein, Klint Kesto, Mike Kowall and Rocky Raczkowski – in a tizzy. That’s good news for the victor in the August primary that includes Democrats Tim Greimel, Suneel Gupta, Dan Haberman, Fayrouz Saad, Nancy Skinner and Haley Stevens.

ROCKY V. KERRY, ROUND 1: In the “we can’t make this stuff up” department, Republican candidate for the 11th Congressional District Kerry Bentivolio has filed a $10 million suit against another candidate, Rocky Raczkowski, claiming defamation. He alleges Raczkowski has been telling folks at political gatherings that Bentivolio, a highly-decorated veteran of the Vietnam and Iraqi wars, that Bentivolio’s military record is “made up,” a “lie,” and that Bentivolio “didn’t really earn his medals,” which include two Bronze Stars, a Meritorious BENTIVOLIO Service medal, an Army commendation medal, and others, totaling 27. Raczkowski, a former state Representative, who is also a veteran, has admitted he has questioned Bentivolio’s awards, believes the lawsuit is frivolous and will be dismissed. But he said he did it because Bentivolio demeaned his own military service.

Bentivolio was elected by chance to represent the district in 2012, earning the moniker the “Accidental Congressman.”

Although he lost re-election to David Trott in 2014, he has been trying to reclaim the seat ever since. A reindeer farmer in Milford and part-time Santa, he said he doesn’t mind those RACZKOWSKI designations – just don’t question his service record, his military awards or his commitment to his country. It will be up to Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Hala Jarbou to decide.

40 AND OUT: On the state level, the 40th House District (Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township, the eastern portion of West Bloomfield), which state Rep. Mike McCready (R) has represented for the last six years before being term limited, has previously been a safely Republican District. Not anymore. Crystal ball gazers at MIRS (Michigan Information and Research Service) and Gongwer News MANOOGIAN Service, two Lansing-based wonky news organizations, are predicting a flip to the Democratic side. MIRS has the district, with Democrats Nicole Bedi, who gave McCready a good run for his money two years ago, and Mari Manoogian, squaring off in the primary, as the second most likely district to flip, after only the 39th District, which Klint Kesto (RCommerce, West Bloomfield) is vacating. And Gongwer recently switched the 40th District from ‘Lean GOP’ to ‘Tossup’ status. Six Republicans want to make sure that doesn’t happen. Stay tuned.

RIDE ‘EM COWBOY: If age is just a state of mind, then Republican state Senator and 11th District Congressional candidate Mike Kowall may be the youngest pup in the race for the seat. In May, Kowall (R-White Lake) was named by the National Republican Congressional Committee to its “Young 24

DOWNTOWN

06.18

Gift Certificates Available for Father’s Day

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Guns” program. The program, which serves as a merit badge of sorts, chooses GOP candidates that must meet specific goals throughout the cycle to ensure their campaigns are able to operate effectively. Fellow 11th District candidates Lena Epstein, Klint Kesto and Rocky Raczkowski were named to the program earlier this year, with Kowall, a political veteran who got a bit of a late start to his campaign, joining them.

KOWALL “Congratulations to Michigan Senate Majority Floor Leader Mike Kowall for being named “On the Radar” in the NRCC’s Young Guns program,” NRCC Chairman Steve Stivers said in EPSTEIN making the announcement. Kowall, who is 67, is hardly a political newcomer, having previously been White Lake supervisor and state House Representative before eight years in the state Senate. But it is his first rodeo when it comes to a Congressional campaign.

NO PUSHOVER: It may be considered the Year of the Woman, but that doesn’t mean it’s a gimme for women, either. Just ask Elissa Slotkin, Democratic candidate for Michigan’s 8th Congressional District, who is working very hard to unseat Republican Congressman Mike Bishop of Rochester. While not exactly counting her chickens before they’re hatched, Slotkin announced, preemptively, that if elected, and the Democrats take the House of Representatives, she would not vote for Rep. Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House. Pelosi has said she would run again for speaker. Slotkin said it’s nothing personal nor would it be a sign of disrespect – “but I think on both sides of the aisle people are saying that they want new leaders, and we need to hear that,” she told The Detroit News. “They want a new generation.” Slotkin also got a bit of potential SLOTKIN good news recently that she is one of 10 Democratic candidates the House Victory Project, formed last month through a filing with the Federal Election Commission, has selected to support. The House Victory Project takes the concept from Wall Street of bundling donors (goal of $10 million) to have greater impact and is expected to donate in the range of $400,000 each to select Democratic candidates on the November ballot.

WORKER OR QUEEN BEE: Congressional candidate for Michigan’s 11th District seat Klint Kesto in May touted his work ethic while suggesting his Republican opponent, oil heiress Lena Epstein is too busy goldbricking to be a success in Washington. “Lena is embarrassing herself with that television ad (touting that she will work hard in Washington),” Kesto said in a campaign release in which he references Epstein’s attendance as a volunteer on the Michigan Children’s Trust Fund board, to which she was appointed by Michigan head nerd, Gov. Rick Snyder. “Epstein had a chance to work on the most important cause you can think of, protecting children from abuse, but she wouldn’t do the job 87 percent of the time,” Kesto said about Epstein’s attendance at quarterly board meetings while bragging about his own attendance in the legislature. While Epstein may have been preoccupied with marriage and childbirth recently, Michigan Children’s Trust board chairman and former Republican legislator Randy Richardville said it’s common for some members to call into meetings rather than attend in person. Richardville placed Epstein’s overall attendance closer to the 35-percent mark – better than the 13 percent Kesto claimed, but not quite high enough to pass even a community college course. Richardville stressed that the positions are strictly volunteer.

“She volunteered, and all she has done is appreciated,” Richardville said.

SHOW ME THE MONEY: Democratic state Senate Candidate Mallory McMarrow of Royal Oak is challenging incumbent state Sen. Marty Knollenberg (R-Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Rochester, Rochester Hills) in November for his 13th District state Senate seat. Knollenberg, a strong fundraiser, has raised $142,823 during this election cycle but he’s already spent more than $114,000. McMarrow, a political newcomer in a traditionally Republican district, is showing she is capable of gathering cash from her district, too, as well as from all over the country, raising $47,249, which includes personal contributions from herself, which total about $19,295, and she has about $34,573 cash on hand.

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CRIME LOCATOR

NORTH

Map key

Sexual assault

Assault

Murder

Robbery

Breaking/entering

Larceny

Larceny from vehicle

Vehicle theft

Vandalism

Drug offenses

Arson

These are the crimes reported under select categories by police officials in Birmingham, Bloomfield Township and Bloomfield Hills through May 17, 2018.

Placement of codes is approximate.

FACES

Michael Smith loomfield Hills author Michael Smith had a longtime interest in architecture, so when he learned that some of his favorite buildings in metro Detroit were designed by the same man, it made for the perfect foundation of a new book.

"I have always had somewhat of an interest in architecture and art in general. My grandfather did artwork for the Kenner company, and I read a number of books on architecture," he said. "In 2011, I was tasked with coming up with and heading a bus tour for a convention in Detroit. While researching the buildings, the ones I found most interesting and attractive, I discovered they were designed by Wirt Rowland. I couldn't find a book on him."

Rowland, who worked as an architect for the George D. Mason firm, Albert Kahn Associates and Smith, Hinchman & Grylls (SmithGroup), is best known for buildings he designed in southeast Michigan, including Hill Auditorium at the University of Michigan, the Detroit News Building, First National Building and General Motors Building, which has been renamed Cadillac Place.

"There are all sorts of books on Frank Lloyd Wright and Albert Kahn, and others have had books and articles written about them, but this guy had nothing," Smith said. "I was appalled."

Out of curiosity, Smith began researching Rowland, leading him to contact the Wayne State University Press to see if they would be interested in a book.

"They were, and I wrote it," he said.

In April of 2017, Smith's book, "Designing Detroit: Wirt Rowland and the Rise of Modern American Architecture," was published. The book picked up a 2017 State History award, was named a finalist in the INDIES Book Awards in the architecture category, and won the 2018 Michigan Notable Book Award.

While architects like Kahn are well known, Smith said Rowland was part of the force behind some of the buildings the firm designed.

From interior and exterior details, Rowland's designs were the force behind some of the buildings.

"The appearance of the building was in his hands, and he was highly paid by Albert Kahn to do just that," Smith said. "Most people assume (Kahn) was sitting there at a drafting table, but that was no more the case than Henry Ford designing the Maverick."

The book not only provides a deep dive into Rowland's architecture style and work, but his personal life and his own writings on architecture.

"The most interesting aspect is everything he did before 1930, and then from 1930 to 1940, what he wrote about architecture," Smith said.

In addition to the awards the book has garnered, Smith has kept busy with presentations about the book and buildings Rowland designed. In May, Smith was a guest speaker at Birmingham's Baldwin Public Library. Smith also gives tours of Detroit's Guardian Building and other locations where he discusses Rowland.

"Last Sunday, I led a tour of the Guardian Building hosted by the Jewish Historical Society," Smith said on May 1. "It was announced on Thursday, and by Sunday they had booked too many people.

"It gives you a sense of how much interest there is in Detroit architecture, particularly the Guardian Building. People are craving that cultural experience, after being seemingly disinterested in their cultural heritage. I think that's an important thing. A society that doesn't care about culture and their cultural heritage is probably a society that isn't long for this world."

B

Story: Kevin Elliott

Photo: Laurie Tennent

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Orchard Lake,1+/- situated on a gently sloping sunset facing, manicured, tranquil lakefront setting. 218 ft of water frontage, French Country cutting gardens, Granite pool w/paver patio, excellent for entertaining & private sunbathing. Home consists of high-quality T/O, cedar shake roof, gas lantern exterior lighting, 3+ car heated garage, 3 season room, 8,303 ft. of outstanding living space, unparalleled views from every room of the water, nature area, swimming pool & sunset over lake.

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BEST VALUE CLOSE TO TOWN....Sleek, Modern, newer built home in Downtown Birmingham! Open kitchen with elite appliances, marble island, walk in pantry with frosted glass door. Family room has wall to floor windows/doors, unique custom wall with gas fireplace providing light/warmth-a zen living space!

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WATER, SEWER

OVERFLOWS 2018 RELEASES HAVE ALREADY SURPASSED TOTAL FOR 2017; DELUGE OF ISSUES FACE COUNTY

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The old saying about foul matter flowing downhill – in this case actual sewage – takes on literal and figurative meanings in metro Detroit, where billions of gallons of stormwater and sewage flow each year from the northwest suburbs to the southeast communities that border Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River.

"It follows the natural topography of the land and flows in that direction," said Gary Nigro, chief engineer for the Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner (OCWRC). "It's not personal."

And so it flows – the water, the waste and the storm runoff, all of it down the drain where it leads to a combined sewer system that serves much of Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township and 11 other communities in southeast Oakland County.

During dry weather, the sewage from the combined system is pumped to the Detroit Wastewater Treatment Plant, where 85 to 90 percent of its contaminants are removed before it is released into the mouth of the Rouge River and into the Detroit River, near Zug Island.

But when stormwater floods the system, the sewage is diverted to one of four retention treatment basins (RTB) in Oakland County, where it is held, screened, settled, skimmed and disinfected until the system can take it or it is released to nearby surface water – either the Rouge River or Red Run Drain (which is a tributary of the Clinton River).

The releases, or overflows, are referred to as combined sewer overflows (CSO), and have been a point of contention for officials in Macomb County. The problem, they have said for years, is that partially treated sewage entering the Clinton River empties into Lake St. Clair and leads to poor water quality, high E. coli levels and dozens of beach closures. Yet, Oakland County water resources officials and representatives from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) say large CSO releases meet state and federal water quality standards, nor can all E. Coli be traced back to human sources, let alone CSO releases from Oakland County.

From January 1 to April 18, 2018, a total of 95.4 million gallons of partially treated sewage were released into the Rouge River from retention treatment basins in Birmingham and Beverly Hills. More than another billion gallons of water were released from retention basins in Macomb County, the majority of which included wastewater discharged from the George W. Kuhn treatment basin, which collects sewage from 14 communities upstream of the Red Run Drain, including Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township, Berkley, Clawson, Ferndale, Hazel Park, Huntington Woods, Madison Heights, Oak Park, Pleasant Ridge, Royal Oak, Royal Oak Township, Southfield, Troy and Beverly Hills.

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arge amounts of snowmelt and rain led to several overflows in 2018, which have already outpaced 2017, when Oakland County RTBs released 35.4 million gallons of partially treated sewage, and the Kuhn drain and others in Macomb County released 1.2 billion gallons. Still, those releases are relatively minor compared to the more than 2.4 billion gallons released in August of 2014 when stormwater flooded much of metro Detroit.

But, more recently, Macomb County officials have become increasingly vocal about the wastewater that has been dumped on them for years.

In October of 2017, a few hundred Macomb County residents gathered in Harrison Township at MacRay Harbor, located near the mouth of the Clinton River where it empties into Lake St. Clair. Among the speakers were state Representative Peter Lucido (R-Shelby Township), who questioned DEQ officials about water quality in the lake, and whether water flowing from Oakland County is to blame for problems in the lake.

Nutrient pollution, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, is one of the country's most widespread, costly and challenging environmental problems. Excess nutrients support the growth of algae and aquatic plants, which provide food for aquatic habitat, but can lead to health and environmental issues. Algae may harm water quality, food resources, habitats and decrease dissolved oxygen. It can also lead to fish kills and produce toxins and bacteria that make people sick if they

come into contact with it. A main source of those nutrients is stormwater.

Attending as a listener, Nigro said DEQ officials confirmed that Oakland County's system was meeting current water quality standards and were ready to present that information but were stopped before they had a chance.

"Until recently, it hasn't been that easy to test where E. coli is coming from," Nigro said. However, he said advances in testing now reveal whether tested E. coli stems from human or other animals. Such advances, he said, lead to more beach closings and awareness of pollution.

"It's not that we are necessarily polluting more – it's that we know what it is now," he said. "The pollution has been going on for decades, but now we are aware of it. We are very conscious about it."

Officials, like Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Candice Miller, are pushing for the state to implement more stringent water quality standards to force Oakland County and others in the Great Lakes Basin to do more to control overflows.

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iller, who failed to return calls to Downtown newsmagazine, has said that E. coli from sewage isn't the only thing heightening E. coli levels in the lake. E. coli traced to geese and other wildlife that share the water are part of the problem. In fact, DEQ officials are reluctant to name any one source of water quality issues. Still, Lucido and others continue to point to Oakland County's combined sewer systems as the problem.

Unlike combined sewer systems, separate sanitary sewers are designed to carry only sanitary sewage to a wastewater treatment plant. Combined sewer systems are generally older sewer systems designed to send both sewage and stormwater to a treatment plant.

Because combined systems may receive massive amounts of water from storm events or snow melt, they are designed with overflow points in the system and/or at the treatment plant.

Michigan started its CSO control program in 1988, and in 1994 the federal government developed a nationwide policy. The policy suggested states use an enforceable permit program called the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System to require CSO communities to implement interim measures, or minimum controls, and then develop long-term control plans. As an alternative to separating combined systems, some communities, including several in Oakland County, opted to build retention treatment basins, which are designed to capture the combined sewage and rainwater that would otherwise flow to surface waters untreated. The basins hold the combined sewage long enough to provide treatment and disinfection before the combined sewage is discharged.

In Oakland County, the Water Resources Commissioner (WRC) operates four such retention basins. In each case, water is treated, at least partially, before being released to a wastewater treatment facility.

Each of the retention basins are capable of storing massive amounts of combined sewage. However, even with such measures in place, combined systems still get overloaded and are forced to release the holdings to their respective waterbodies.

"You're still going to have back ups," Nigro said. "In a highly urbanized area like southeast Oakland County, the storm system alone isn't going to handle every single rain event. There's a certain level of service they are designed to provide. People think that if there's a backup from a rain event, then something must have failed, but that's not necessarily the case."

Nigro likened the system’s design to that of a freeway system – while a 12-lane highway may help move the heaviest flows of traffic during peak times, such a system will be virtually empty most of the time – and have higher costs.

"The same can be said for storm systems," he said. "It's not designed for Noah's flood because it would be unachievable, practically, and the cost would be unbearable. If you can imagine separating that system (into a single sanitary sewer system), it would have a $2 billion bill.

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Nobody likes paying their bills now. Multiply them by 10 or 20 times â&#x20AC;&#x201C; it's not practical."

In addition to the high cost of converting combined systems, Nigro said there isn't consensus that such a conversion would actually increase water quality downstream.

"Some say it's a bad idea to separate them, others say it's good to separate," he said. "When you do separate them, that stormwater goes right into the lakes, rivers and streams without being treated."

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hat means stormwater runoff from Woodward, I-75 and other urbanized or heavily-paved areas would flow directly into the Clinton and Rouge rivers, along with oil and other contaminants picked up along the way. Nigro said that in a combined system, at least the runoff is being treated to a degree, the same way sewage would be before it is sent to a treatment facility or prior to being discharged during an overflow event.

In general, both Combined Sewer Overflows (CSO) and Separate Sanitary Overflows (SSOs) can discharge untreated human and industrial waste, toxic materials, debris and disease causing organisms onto the ground or in lakes, streams and rivers. However, discharges from Retention Treatment Basins (RTB) are treated to collect and treat water before its discharged. The basins are designed to meet wastewater discharge permit requirements overseen by the state DEQ and to be protective of water quality and public health.

Each of the retention basin facilities use screening cells and operations to skim wastewater and allow heavy solids to settle and be removed. The water is held for at least 30 minutes for the treatment, which also includes a disinfectant treatment.

Secondary treatment of wastewater is done at wastewater treatment plants, which removes 85 to 90 percent of the remaining pollutants before being released. Because separate sanitary sewer systems don't carry stormwater or route through retention treatment basins the way that combined systems do, SSO's typically occur at wastewater treatment plants that get overloaded at manholes along the system lines where blockages may occur.

"I wouldn't want to swim in it, or even after it's had secondary treatment, but those retention basin facilities are designed to meet water quality standards," said Dan Beauchamp, statewide program coordinator for the DEQ. "For that matter, I wouldn't say to swim during any wet weather events."

Beauchamp said the retention basins in Oakland County meet all state discharge standards. Those standards, he said, are already more stringent than what the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires.

"They do screening, settling and disinfecting, and they have permits for these basins and have to meet limits for E. coli and other contaminants," he said.

Still, Beauchamp said, as did Nigro, the retention basins aren't designed to eliminate all discharges; rather they aim to reduce them and ensure water released during discharges is treated to a minimum standard.

"The facilities are designed for a certain amount of control," he said "They must meet a presumptive criteria, which in a one-year capture is basically one inch of rain and 30 minutes of detention time, or basically 30 minutes for a 10-year event, which is about 1.8 inches. If a facility builds to that size, they are presumed to meet water quality standards at any type of receiving stream. They also have an option to build a demonstration size basin, which would be smaller than the presumptive size and do water quality monitoring and modeling. The majority of facilities don't build to the presumptive size â&#x20AC;&#x201C; they build to demonstration size and do monitoring to ensure water quality standards are met."

The Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner's Office operates four retention treatment basins in Oakland County, including three that discharge into the Rouge River and one that discharges to the Red Run Drain, a tributary of the Clinton River, during heavy rain events. All of the facilities receive water from combined sewer systems in Oakland County.

The largest of the four retention basins, and that which receives the most scrutiny by those in Macomb County, is the George W. Kuhn retention basin, or GWK, formerly known as the 12 Towns drainage district and retention basin.

Originally located between I-75 and John R, north of 12 Mile Road in Madison Heights, the facility was updated and expanded in 2006. That expansion was done to meet the DEQ's permit requirements for treatment of combined sewer overflows. Storm drains discharging into the basin were removed and rerouted to provide more volume to control combined sewer flows, with storage at about 124 million gallons. The basin reduces overflow volumes by about 875 million gallons per year, and has eliminated all untreated combined sewage by rerouting two combined sewers into the basin that would have entered the basin downstream of screens and disinfection facilities.

The GWK drainage district has historically averaged about 10 treated discharges per year, all of which go to the Red Run Drain. During normal operations, when the system isn't overloaded, flows are returned to the collection system for processing at the Detroit Wastewater Treatment Plant.

The GWK serves 24,500 acres upstream of the Red Run Drain, including all or part of 14 communities, including Berkley, Birmingham, Clawson, Ferndale, Hazel Park, Huntington Woods, Madison Heights, Oak Park, Pleasant Ridge, Royal Oak, Southfield, Troy, Royal Oak Township and the Village of Beverly Hills.

Three other retention basins in Oakland County discharge overflows into the Rouge River.

Constructed in 1997 for a cost of $11 million, the Acacia Park RTB was part of an $82 million national demonstration project intended to eliminate combined sewage overflows in the Rouge River watershed.

The retention basin serves 816 acres and treats about 70 million gallons of combined sewer overflows each year, of which about 19 million gallons are discharged to the Rouge River. The basin has a capacity of about four million gallons, and is designed to provide 30 minutes of detention time for a one-year, one-hour storm. It serves the Village of Beverly Hills drainage district community.

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low to the Acacia Park RTB is regulated by a tipping plate that diverts flow of more than four cubic-feet per second to a 10-foot diameter influent tunnel, which provides about 400,000 gallons of storage. As cells are filled, the facility provides disinfection, settling and skimming of stormwater and sewage. Treated flow exceeding the storage capacity of the cells is screened and overflows via weir troughs to an effluent channel that discharges into the Rouge River.

The WRC said that discharge water quality consistently exceeds water quality from separated storm sewers upstream and downstream from the basin. Retained flow is pumped back into the Evergreen Interceptor for treatment at the Detroit treatment facility. After the basin is dewatered, a pivoting trough flushes the system of any remaining sediment.

The Acacia Park basin is located in the Village of Beverly Hills Nature Preserve. In 2009, the WRC completed chlorine minimization improvements to reduce the amount of chlorine in discharged water.

Other control system improvements have also been made to the facility.

The Birmingham RTB, at the Birmingham Municipal Park, services a 1,185-acre watershed, treating about 71 million gallons of CSO annually, of which about 18 million gallons are discharged to the Rouge River. The basin has a capacity of 5.5 million gallons, which is designed to provide 30 minutes of detention time, or a one-year, one-hour storm.

It serves the Birmingham drainage district community.

The Birmingham basin receives gravity flow from a 12-foot by 18-foot influent sewer, with five million gallons of storage provided in an upstream tunnel. Flows are treated by disinfection, settling and skimming through screened cells.

The Bloomfield Village Retention Basin is located below the eighth fairway of the Lincoln Hills Golf Course in Birmingham. The basin serves 2,325-acres of the watershed and treats about 122 million gallons

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of CSO annually, of which about 23 million gallons are discharged to the Rouge River, and has a capacity of about 10 million gallons.

Beauchamp said there are several factors that determine whether a discharge is necessary. For instance, the intensity of the rain, the makeup of the ground sediments, ground saturation and the water table determine how much rain will be absorbed by the land or sent to storm sewers. With hard clay in both the Clinton and Rouge, the rivers are "flashy," in that they are quick to flood and quick to drain.

Large capacity retention basins are one way of reducing the amount of overflows in a combined sewer system, but new technology and environmentally friendly approaches to design may also provide benefits.

Nigro said further reducing overflows may be done by implementing "green infrastructure," rather than building a larger basin. The approach means using more porous pavements that capture water and allowing it to flow through the pavement, rather than running off, and other improvements that reduce the amount of water entering the system.

"Gray infrastructure would be building additional storage capacity for fewer rain events that exceed the volume, but those are expensive â&#x20AC;&#x201C; but work with instant results," he said. "Alternatively, more green infrastructure approaches would be infiltration. Instead of letting water run off into the system, the idea is to capture and detrain it, and infiltrate it into the ground.

"If you have a lot of clay, which a lot of this area does, you can't infiltrate that much water very quickly. There are things that make that more of a triple-bottom line. It's socially, economically and functionally good. You may see bioswales with plantings instead of a catch drain, but they don't have that much of an impact alone. It would have to be a change of mind in the whole area, and it has to be maintained. It's a change that long term, you'll see more green infrastructure and it will have a solid impact, especially in areas that are still developing. In older ones, undoing the old ways is expensive."

While elected officials in Macomb County continue to push for reforms within some of Oakland County sewer systems, watershed groups monitor the health of the rivers both upstream and down.

"It's a very complicated issue, not only from the environmental aspect, but from the location aspect, as well as the political aspect," said Eric Diesing, an environmental scientist with the Clinton River Watershed Council. "Between Oakland and Macomb counties pointing fingers at each other, when you look at watershed issues, which is a 10foot point of view, it allows you to address the issues on a whole. A lot of rivers and watersheds deal with these issues around the country, and a lot of it comes down to aging infrastructure, and a lot of times it was never updated. We have seen progress, but we have a long way to come. We have come a long way from 'the solution to pollution is dilution,' as they said in the old days."

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ith the Clinton River Watershed containing more than 760 square miles and a population of more than 1.5 million people and massive development, it's natural for impervious surfaces to be increasing, and in turn, more stormwater runoff.

"The headwaters are in Clarkston and Independence (townships), but it flows through several lakes and underneath the city of Pontiac," Diesing said. "From Auburn Hills to Utica, the river has a 300-foot drop in elevation, so it picks up and starts moving through there. We have a very flashy system, partially due to elevation and partially due to development. It's moving a large amount of water very quickly. That's how some of these overflows happen. The systems get overworked and filled up so fast that it can't handle the water. " Despite increased flows, Diesing said the council is seeing positive trends at most testing sites. That, he said, can be attributed in part to infrastructure improvements to combat stormwater.

"We focus a lot on stormwater education, and fish and wildlife habitat," he said. "It's all interrelated. Stormwater is one issue, but a lot of things need to be looked at as an overall view. There's not just one thing affecting a river or lake."

The largest discharges in recent years occurred in August of 2014, when more than five inches of rain fell in a three-hour period and caused major flooding throughout southeast Michigan. In the Red Run Drain, more than two billion gallons of partially treated sewage was released from the George W. Kuhn RTB. Another 2.4 billion gallons were released by other retention basins in Oakland County.

Annual totals of SSO and RTB and other types of CSO overflows in Oakland County totaled 58.73 million gallons (mg) (9.4 mg SSO; 49.44 mg RTB; 15 mg other) in 2015; 22.88 mg (1.3 mg SSO; 21.54 mg RGB) in 2016; 137 mg (1 mg SSO; 35 mg RTB; 100 mg other) in 2017; and 144 mg (12 mg SSO; 95.4 mg RTB; 37 mg other) through April 18 of 2018.

Those overflows don't include discharges from the George W. Kuhn RTB, which the DEQ lists under totals in Macomb County.

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ischarges into the Rouge River at Evergreen and Beverly Roads, from the Acacia Park RTB, totaled about 100 mg from 2015 to April 18, 2018. Partially treated sewage discharges into the Rouge River at Lincoln and Southfield from the Birmingham RTB totaled about 20 mg during the same period. And overflows into the Rouge River at Cranbrook and 14 Mile Road from the Bloomfield/Birmingham RTB totaled about 50.13 between 2015 and April 18, 2018.

Oakland County outfalls outside of the Birmingham/Bloomfield area include some SSO and other releases from the Auburn Wastewater Treatment Plant into the Clinton River; SSO releases into the Rouge River from the Evergreen/Farmington collector; the Wixom Wastewater Treatment Plant at Norton Creek; and various manholes and other locations due to backups or blocked pipes.

The only release reported to the DEQ in the Rochester/Rochester Hills area included .005 mg of SSO into the Paint Creek in 2018 that was caused by a plugged mainline sewer in Rochester. A manhole at 613 N. Main overflowed and released untreated sewage into the Paint Creek. The line was subsequently jetted and the blockage was removed.

Annual totals of SSO, RTB and "other" types of overflows in Macomb County totaled 836.85 mg (134 mg SSO; 674 mg RTB; 27.8 mg other) in 2015; 2.3 billion gallons (356 mg SSO, 1.8 billion gallons RTB; 26.6 mg other) in 2016; 1.76 billion gallons (296.7 mg SSO; 1.2 billion gallons RTB; 217 mg other) in 2017; and 1.4 billion gallons (296.67 mg SSO; 1 billion gallons RTB; 54.3 mg other) through April 18 of 2018.

Partially treated sewage from the George W. Kuhn RTB totaled more than 4.1 billion gallons between 2015 and April 18, 2018, all of which were released into the Red Run Drain, which drains into the Clinton River.

Sally Petrella, monitoring program manager with Friends of the Rouge, said Oakland County has controlled all of their CSOs, meaning that all discharges receive at least initial treatment, while Wayne County has a larger problem.

"That was exacerbated by the recession that hit Detroit, creating a situation where they were unable to address their issues as quickly as they should have," Petrella said.

Specifically, Petrella said a project that called for constructing a retention basin tunnel to control overflows was slowed.

"That's a little frustrating," she said. "With that project, they would have maybe one CSO overflow once a year, opposed to about 47 from Detroit. They have been scaled back, and they are using green infrastructure, but that's really frustrating to an organization that cares so much about the river."

Uncontrolled CSOs, or those that don't receive treatment before wastewater is released, have huge impacts on the use of a waterbody, as well as aquatic life.

"When you get near Rouge Park, we do fish surveys and when we get there they go down to about four species. That's not a lot of diversity," Patrella said. "Upstream, closer to 8 Mile, we find rock bass and 10 or 11 species of fish."

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Audrey Elkus ranbrook alumna Audrey Elkus was attending Wellesley College in 2015 when she started a summer internship with TAIT Design Company, a small design firm that launched two years earlier in Detroit that she went on to help organize and run.

"I graduated early and was looking for internships and jobs around home," Elkus said. "I had worked at the Empowerment Plan in downtown Detroit and was going there to work during the week. I like having a lot of different things going on and staying busy. I was looking for something else part time, in art or another area.

"I started Googling "Detroit design," from my dorm room, and 100 different things came up. I came across the website and thought it looked like fun. I liked the mission of making things and employing locally, and I wanted to be part of it."

Founder Matt Tait, who started the design company in 2013, had already launched two products before Elkus came onboard, including TAIT's first product, the Turbo Flyer, a classic balsa wood model airplane kit, an updated version of the balsa-wood flyers that have been available at hobby and toy shops for decades. The other product was the Precision Mobile, a brass and stainless steel mobile designed for high-lofted residential ceilings, hotels, restaurants and creative agencies.

"Matt had been working in advertising and was doing it only on weekends, but it looked like this huge team because the website was so big," Elkus said. "I started by helping to design the packaging with the mobile. We did a lot with it. It was almost like a showpiece."

The unique packaging included 55-inch custom tubes that contain the pre-balanced mobile and installation guide. The packaging earned Elkus and TAIT the Dieline Packaging Award from Neenah Packaging.

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After finishing at Wellesley, where she studied art, computer science and economics, Elkus started working full time at TAIT in 2017, working on design, art direction, business strategies and generally helping keep the business organized and moving forward.

"We are now in 250 stores in 16 countries and four continents. I manage relationships with stores and sales, which is based in New York where we have 32 sales reps," Elkus said.

Additionally, Elkus oversees communications, corporate gifts and events, and she plans photo shoots and ad concepts.

"There's a million things to do every day," she said. "We have a very small team, so we are very nimble. Everyone wears different hats."

Elkus said her time at Cranbrook served as a foundation for her perspective on art. That foundation was taken to Wellesley, as well as to Spain when she studied abroad in Barcelona. Her art studies, combined with her computer know-how and understanding of business allows her to be involved in all aspects of the business.

Elkus's latest product, the TAIT Desk Clock, is crafted out of solid maple with a hand screen-printed steel dial and back. It comes in five colors and is now available at West Elm and Art Loft in Birmingham, and dozens of other locations across the country. Other items, like TAIT's Sling-Slang YOYO is available at Crate & Barrel. While the company has come up with redesigns of classic toys, it's not limited to child's playthings.

"It was almost named TAIT Toys," Elkus said. "Overall, toys are fun to start with and they will always be fun, but we don't want to be limited.

There are so many different things we can make in the future."

Story: Kevin Elliott

Photo: Laurie Tennent

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1826 Pierce, Birmingham Sellers Agent

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3764 Shellmarr, Bloomfield Hills Buyers & Sellers Agent

1949 Quarton, Bloomfield Hills Sellers Agent

420 Dunston, Bloomfield Hills Buyers Agent

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25111 W Thirteen Mile Road, Franklin Sellers Agent

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RETHINKING DETROIT’S REVIVAL AND DESIRES FORCE OAKLAND COMMUNITIES

or most urban areas, in the question of the chicken or the egg, it's clear which came first. The metropolis developed from a mature downtown core with neighborhoods surrounding it, and then smaller cities were incorporated as suburban areas that grew over decades. In southeastern Michigan, that's how it happened, too.

In 1920, Detroit was the fourth largest city in the United States, after New York, Chicago and Philadelphia, due to the booming automobile industry, and later, the addition of Prohibition, as the Detroit River was a major conduit for liquor smuggling throughout the U.S. Detroit experienced growing pains through racial conflict and discrimination which followed rapid demographic changes, as hundreds of thousands of new southern workers, including many African Americans, came north to work in auto factories during the mid-20th century, as well as significant immigration of southern and Eastern Europeans, which led to segregated neighborhoods. In the 1940s and 1950s, freeways split Detroit neighborhoods, and the suburbs began to burgeon and grow, led by “white flight. “By the 1970s and '80s, Detroit was a city rapidly in decline, which seemed to hit rock bottom with the (former mayor) Kwame Kilpatrick scandal in 2008.

Then, in the midst of the Great Recession, surprisingly, Detroit began to rise again. Spearheaded by mortgage baron Dan Gilbert, who initially brought 1,700 Quicken employees from Livonia to downtown in 2010, he also started buying numerous buildings in the center core. Today, his business empire includes approximately 20,000 employees in the city's heart. Many of those employees are young, college-educated, and seeking an urban lifestyle experience. Where once they lived – and would have worked – in suburbia, they are now living, working, dining and playing in the city their ancestors fled. It's a hipster hangout, and Detroit is suddenly hot and desirable. The Lonely Planet named Detroit number two in the “Best in Travel 2018.”

The Detroit resurgence is providing a challenge to suburban communities to either reinvent themselves, or stagnate.

“There are so many things motivating them to rethink how they've lived in the metro area for 30 years,” said architect and urbanist Mark Nickita, principal at Archive DS and a city commissioner in Birmingham. “Detroit's rise is coming from millennials and baby boomers who are demanding a lot of different things. There is a demand for authentic urban experiences – for walkable places, which Detroit and Birmingham are. There's also the full cultural experience in Detroit – all four sports teams are now down there, there's the opera (Michigan Opera Theater), symphony (Detroit Symphony Orchestra), Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit Historical Museum, science center (Michigan Science Center), and now they're talking about an aquarium focused on the riverfront. There is nothing like being in a big city, in the core. It's what draws people to Chicago.

“This is a new synergy in the region, and it's driven by two

F

BY LISA BRODY

Above: Woodward/Bates team Birmingham development proposal rendering

THE SUBURBS OF MILLENNIALS, BABY BOOMERS TO FOCUS ON MEETING DEMANDS

Below: TIR Equities Birmingham development proposal rendering

fundamental demographics,” Nickita continued. “Boomers are increasingly finding urban areas are where they want to be. They've lived their suburban lives, and now are spending weekends downtown.

They're taking advantage of the city for the first time. And then there are millennials. They're all-in. They want to live in the center city, hang out, take advantage of all it has to offer, to take transit, ride bikes. They have the opportunity to do what they've done in other cities.

“And it's growing like wildfire. It's not a ‘will come.’ It's come,” Nickita said.

Robert Gibbs, an urban planner and retail consultant who is president of Gibbs Planning Group in Birmingham, agreed. “Twentysomethings and fifty-somethings both want the same things,” he noted.

“They want to walk to coffee shops and restaurants, and to live in a walkable environment, to walk to schools, libraries, offices, parks, and to see friends.”

Gibbs has helped spearhead numerous reinvented urban communities around the country, including for Birmingham, along with noted urbanist Andrés Duany of Miami, with Birmingham's 2016 Plan, which helped to envision a walkable city where residents and businesses could coexist, with the maxim of “work, live and play.” He and Duany were recently asked by the city of Birmingham to respond to a new request for proposal (RFP) for a new master plan proposal, the first for the entire city since 1980, and they have begun the process, which is due June 1. He is also involved with Troy Town Center, an effort by the city of Troy to create a walkable town center where their municipal complex currently is on Big Beaver Road near I-75. While forward thinking and desirable, according to acting Troy city manager Mark Miller, it is currently in a holding pattern.

“It was going a little fast for our residents,” Miller said, who said the goal given to Gibbs was to create a mixed use town center with alternate housing.

“We hear from a lot of our residents that there's not a lot of new housing for them when they want to sell their homes and downsize,” Miller said. “For baby boomers, everything is really more expensive than they want.”

Troy, along with Royal Oak, Birmingham and Rochester, are examples of Oakland County communities actively reinventing and recreating in the advent of Detroit's rise. For some communities, like Birmingham, the effort at reinvention has been ongoing for decades.

Others, like Rochester, began in 2012, when city leaders recognized stagnation was the alternative. Royal Oak came to confront the realization that a city defined by its nightlife cannot survive in the long run nor stabilize its neighborhoods, and recognizing its inherent potential, made a concerted effort to go after office development, believing it will fortify its retail base as well. Troy, an example of postWorld War II suburbia, like several other suburban communities, is at a

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corridor,” said Troy's Miller, sink-or-swim moment in of a corridor study of the city time. which was completed in “The suburban areas that 2008, as the Great Recession continue to just have large was beginning. lots will become functionally Kmart's corporate obsolete,” Gibbs headquarters had been at prognosticated. “However, the corner of Big Beaver and inner ring suburbs will stay Coolidge, but closed well vital and popular. These over a decade ago, in 2005 smaller urban areas need to or 2006, Miller said. In continue.” addition, further commercial Gibbs said that studies Aerial rendering of the Troy Town Center proposal space became available as he's seen show that General Motors left, along with numerous automotive suppliers. suburban areas, those with subdivisions with homes with larger lots “All the suppliers left – they didn't have to be here,” he said. “It and strip centers, perhaps office buildings, and little else, “will decline became apparent we had way too many empty buildings – with office about 20 to 30 percent by 2030, and walkable communities will go up vacancies of about 40 percent.” by 30 percent. It may be the biggest change in real estate.”

He said their Downtown Development Authority did a Quality Another is a demand for rental properties for the same Development Initiative (QDI) to ascertain appropriate mixed uses, and demographics – which not all communities are responding to, nor recommended building lower rise buildings in parking lots to counter permitting, Gibbs said. empty parking lot space and stormwater retention. Office vacancies “I just saw a study from the Urban Institute in Washington D.C., are now at about 16 percent. that found that Oakland County will find itself with a shortage of Today, there are about 24 global subsidiaries in the city of Troy, 70,000 apartments by 2025,” he said. “What's odd is it is illegal to build “foreign-based companies from all over the world. We're competing for apartments in most communities north of Royal Oak – so it's illegal to these in the office market, not with Detroit, but with Auburn Hills, build what is wanted in these communities. They'll need to change Novi/Plymouth, Ann Arbor and Southfield,” Miller said. “We're their zoning.” centrally located by I-75.”

Or watch residents – and potential residents – flee elsewhere.

On the Maple Road corridor, he said, “We've allowed a lot more land His company is seeing requests by numerous suburban uses, except single family. There's more industrial, and it's almost at communities to have urban plans developed for them for walkable full occupancy now. We still want a brew pub in the industrial area – town centers, to have zoning rewritten to recreate their densities, as we've always envisioned someone taking over an underutilized space they have done for Troy. and building something from scratch, something organic. There's a ton “We just did one for (the city of) Warren and for Westland, and we're of restaurants there.” talking to five others in Oakland County to create walkable town However, they also saw that without a traditional downtown, and centers,” Gibbs said. with Detroit a competitor for jobs, office space and residents “for the “When we plan a walkable community, we plan that you can have first time in a long time,” they sought to create a mixed use town three or four housing cycles,” he said of the variety of housing unit center with alternate housing. styles a successful town center should offer. “You can have your first “We don't have anywhere for young people to live. We're trying to condo through your family house to senior housing – so you don't have make it all walkable, to encourage the mixed use developments, with to leave the community, and your friends and family.” retail, office and apartments all in one space, to encourage apartments “There's a general interest in town centers, in a walkable context, that they would want to live in,” Miller said. just as there is a demand for traditional downtowns,” Nickita noted, As for the suburban sprawl of strip centers, Miller acknowledges, with his firm currently working with Sterling Heights on a new master plan and the Lakeside Mall property to change its zoning from retail to “the die is cast. It would be hard to change that. But we're trying to humanize the new ones, to build them closer to roads, to add bicycle mixed uses, to look into a town center as retail uses change. racks and put more parking in the rear of stores.”

“Troy, and the other post-war car-oriented suburban sprawl newer Rochester, a mature city that was first settled in 1817, with the communities, these non-traditional communities were designed with Village of Rochester first formed in 1869, and a city in 1967. The city wider streets, bigger blocks and separation of uses, none of which became an industrial center in the 19th century using the abundant work together,” Nickita said. “They were zoned to be separate. You water power of the Paint Creek and Clinton River. Over time, industries can't put an office near a store or a residence. It wasn't part of the like a refinery for a sugar beets, a paper products company and the zoning at that time. Now, Troy, Southfield, Novi, Warren, Sterling Heights, they're all thinking about how to become more pedestrian and Western Knitting Mills factory closed or moved on, and the city became a pastoral, bucolic suburban area of 13,000 residents with a people-oriented rather than car-oriented – more mixed-use, and more lovely Main Street. interactive.

In 2012, city leaders began the work of morphing from a sleepy “These communities are recognizing that they weren't built for town to a vibrant city. The first step was redesigning that Main Street, these uses, and they're looking to be attractive for this changing complete with road work that narrowed the street, adding bump outs demographic,” Nickita pointed out. and cross walks and recreating the streetscape, as well as adding two Troy, known to many for its retail behemoth Somerset Collection, new parking structures. Their website now boasts, “A perfect mix of has a residential population of about 84,000 people, and for many historic and hip, downtown Rochester attracts both local residents and years had a vibrant office and industrial market. visitors from across the state of Michigan. Downtown Rochester is “We did a Big Beaver corridor study in 2006, and what was home to more than 350 shops, salons, restaurants and professional apparent, with the exception of Somerset, it was an office building

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End Homelessness Now 5K/10K Run Sunday, August 5 2018 St. David’s Episcopal Church in Southfield

BIRMINGHAM, MICHIGAN | PRICE REDUCED TO $839,900 Located within walking distance to Quarton School and downtown Birmingham. Spacious five bedroom, three and a half bath colonial with hardwood flooring, updated granite kitchen with everything a cook might want: stainless steel appliances, island plus eating space in the kitchen.

This annual family-friendly event and race has raised $200,000 over the last four years to support individuals and families in South Oakland Shelter’s housing programs. New this year, the event will feature face painting, inflatables, and more activities for the whole family. Kids can enjoy the 1 Mile Fun Run, and former clients are invited to run, walk, volunteer, and share their stories of success. The day concludes with a pancake breakfast and celebration ceremony for the winners of the races. Join us in breaking out (or dusting off) your running shoes.

BLOOMFIELD, MICHIGAN | $749,900 Such a charming and one-of-a-kind home on a beautiful large lot. This home has been loved and well-cared for, and offers so many special features. The option for a first floor master bedroom, or a second floor master bedroom suite as well as two full baths on the entry level.

PATRICIA MORAN Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel C: 810-444-5225 | O: 248-644-6300 | pmoran@cbwm.com 294 E Brown Street, Birmingham, MI 48009

For more event details and to register or sponsor the event: visit my.southoaklandshelter.org/run or call 248-809-3941

coldwellbankerluxury.com © 2018 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated. Coldwell Banker, the Coldwell Banker Logo, Coldwell Banker Global Luxury and the Coldwell Banker Global Luxury logo are service marks registered or pending registration owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.

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service businesses; 85 percent of which are independent merchants.

Downtown Rochester’s natural beauty is attributed to the waterways that surround the city and the abundant green space that three parks and two winding trails offer.”

Kristi Trevarrow, executive director for Rendering of the Troy Rochester's Downtown Development Authority (DDA), said, “When we came out of the makeover in 2012, at that time, everyone said we would die. But everyone also said we want our downtown to survive.

“We lost a net of two merchants,” she said proudly. “We had some businesses open during construction, while some closed. It usually takes six months to a year for people to start coming back after a big construction project. We had already had a long construction project, and we said, we can’t wait that long. We finished (the road construction) one week before Lagniappe (a downtown Rochester Christmas festival meaning 'a little something extra), followed up with the Big Bright Light Show, and we had the biggest crowd we ever had.

“And we saw the trends continue right through '13.”

Trevarrow acknowledges it wasn't a fluke, but partially attributable to hard work on the part of the DDA. “We were out there every day talking to people about the construction, downtown and our events,” she said. “People said we remembered how much we love downtown, and we want to support it.”

Since 2013, downtown Rochester has maintained a retail occupancy rate of 97 percent.

A city known for its festivals and events, Trevarrow said she and her staff are constantly looking to reinvent and redo those events, as well as working with businesses and retailers on what interests them and how to help them be better businesses.

“We're big on retail retention. We're teaching them social media, marketing,” she said. “We're all in business together in our downtown, and we run our DDA like a business.”

In the last few years, development has followed the remade downtown, with the latest, a planned senior housing development, proposed for across from the Royal Park Hotel. To help it avoid growing pains, the city enlisted McKenna Associates to create Sustainable Rochester, a planning and development document, the result of a $53,000 project, which was accepted by the city council in April to guide the city as it grows. It is intended to be a toolkit to assist city staff, elected officials, decision makers and developers on any and all aspects of developing in Rochester, from environmental impact, mobility, fiscal strength, neighborhoods, downtown viability, and public services. Projects are scored on how well they do – or don't do – in order to help steer appropriate evaluations.

Royal Oak is working to reinvent itself as well, in light of the resurgence of Detroit. While Royal Oak was first incorporated as a village in 1891, it became a city in 1921 and grew quickly due to its proximity to Detroit. A city with a strong neighborhood base and a population of approximately 58,000, its downtown lost its way in the 1990s and 2000s, as it became known for its nightlife, restaurants and bars.

“For at least 30 years, it's been a great place after 5, but not from 9 to 5,” said Royal Oak Economic Development Manager Todd Fenton.

“That's the opposite of a lot of cities.”

In 2012, city staff put together a downtown task force comprised of members of the community, community leaders, property owners and other interested parties, and said, “How do we create a blueprint for people in Royal Oak? How do we bolster retail efforts?

We were adamant that we want Royal Oak to be an Town Center Square unparalleled place for eclectic shops and boutiques,” Fenton said.

The task force came to the conclusion that first they needed to create a daytime population, which would then ultimately shop and dine in the downtown, and to accomplish that, they should take unused or lesser used downtown property and create an incentive to developers to build Class A office buildings – a minimum of 180,000 square feet of Class A office space, which would bring in 1,000 new office workers each day into downtown Royal Oak. Fenton was hired in 2014 with the job of taking that concept and turning it into a creative reality, which has been branded Rethink Royal Oak. “I was tasked with how do we implement that need to build up the daytime population, and where do we put them?” he said.

He said he spent most of 2014 doing an inventory of all of the cityowned parking, notably of the surface lots, and identifying which of those would be great for building upon as office buildings.

“I published that and took it to brokers and anyone I could get it in front of – 'would you consider developing in our city?'” Fenton asked. “I went to Oakland County, national groups, even the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) group. We found a lot of interest in doing projects in the city, and then figured out where to have people park – because we also wanted to have one-to-one parking replacement.”

Fenton said at that point, Royal Oak's main concern was creating access, not revenues, in an effort to create an accessible downtown for people to utilize.

Doug Etkin, principal of Etkin Real Estate Solutions, was the first to bite, snatching up the city-owned parking lot at 11 Mile and Center streets, at 150 W. Second Street, across from the Royal Oak Post Office, for a 74,000 square foot luxury office building that will be completed in late May/early June. The four-story building, which Etkin will move his company into as well, is completely leased and will bring approximately 350 people into the city every day.

“Royal Oak is the recipient of the new confidence that downtown Detroit has brought,” Etkin said. “Royal Oak has walkable urbanity, good parking at reasonable prices, has been of interest to firms that have to compete for staff members, and is a desirable alternative to Detroit.”

Etkin said they wanted to build a high-quality building in an area that wasn't as developed.

“We were the first company to come in under their new plan, to increase daytime density in a surface parking lot,” he said of the purchase of the surface lot. “We have the ability to park people during the day at reasonable rates, and we leased up so quickly because of the (parking) structure kiddy corner across.”

Unlike in Birmingham and Ann Arbor, at the current time, despite wanting to increase pedestrian traffic through office tenancy, Royal Oak is not requiring office buildings to have first floor retail space.

“We did not make a requirement for first floor retail, but said it was a preference,” Fenton said. “We knew we needed to get office workers in first.

It would have been difficult to prioritize on retail without the numbers to support them.”

Etkin counters that his building is not on a main street. “Urban planning is best served when Main Street offers retail,” he said. “There are streets that serve (main) access, and others that offer ancillary services.”

Now, with close to 300,000 square feet of office space being built or committed, Fenton said the next round of buildings will likely be required to have first floor retail space. “Usually, office and national retail go handin-hand,” he said. “We want to focus and maintain our mom and pops, but a few nationals are good, too.”

The latest groundbreaking in the city will truly transform the downtown with a re-envisioned center square, as a public/private partnership between the city and Lansing-based Boji Group that will create a new municipal center, police station, six-story office building and a new public downtown park.

Located on the site of the city's current city hall, the new city center will be anchored by a new six-story building located in the parking lot adjacent to the current city hall. As a tax incentive, the city sold the land for the building to the Boji Group, a 25-year development company with an expertise in private/public partnerships across Michigan, for $1, and is providing an incentive payment of $5.5 million.

It's not a no-brainer for Boji, who is taking a risk as well. Boji held their groundbreaking for their building, their part of the massive project on May 15, without the commitment of any tenants for the new office project. The city will break ground this summer on a new city hall to be located where the city's farmers market is currently. Where the existing city hall is, Fenton

said, will become a new police station. Once the new buildings are completed, “we will demolish the old and create a new city park. We think it will be a fantastic amenity (for workers and residents).”

They are also replacing parking and adding an additional 581 spaces with a new parking structure.

“It is the largest project for the city of Royal Oak. It will be transformational,” Fenton said. He noted that the construction, combined with road and infrastructure improvements, will incur “short term pain, but with infrastructure as a whole, it's needed. We're communicating to businesses and residents as a whole that Royal Oak is open, they can navigate around the construction, and we're Rethinking Royal Oak. It's a city that is not just for food and bars anymore.”

“We're very excited and very proud to be doing this project with Royal Oak,” Ron Boji said. “It's really a tribute to the city to realize what their deficiencies are and to move forward to correct them. Royal Oak is all about the play and live environment – they don't have the work. You need to be about the work, and ultimately, have live, work and play.”

Boji likes Royal Oak for a lot of the reasons people have always come to the city – “the ease of traveling to neighboring communities and other destinations. It's very central. Royal Oak has all of the avenues coming together, with I-75, I-96 and I-696, those main thoroughfares to downtown (Detroit), airports, Ann Arbor, Warren. It's easy access to tech companies and to travel.”

Besides adding office space and office workers and a beautiful public park, Boji noted that the new city complex will “create a tax base as well as we bring potentially 750 new people to eat, possibly live, shop, drink, patronize shops, and create tax revenue.”

The big Kahuna of urban ring communities is Birmingham, which began

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Bloomfield Hills - $1,395,000 Exquisite Bloomfield Hills 1.5 acre estate on a private cul-de-sac. Lush landscaping and private tennis court. 218033507 Presented by John & Bridget Apap

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Bloomfield Hills - $1,348,000 Magnificent custom estate masterfully designed by award-winning AZD Architects situated on over 1.24 acres. Adjacent to the highly coveted Oakland Hills Golf Community. 218020633 Presented by John & Bridget Apap

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Birmingham - $1,329,000 Gorgeous PRM built, new construction residence. This â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;walk to townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; home has it all! 218040287 Presented by Courtney Monigold

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Rainbow Lake - Fulton - $1,200,000 This one-of-a-kind home is the epitome of sophistication with unparalleled architectural detail and design. 218014194 Presented by Rita Dubois

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Bloomfield Hills - $1,139,000 Outstanding home built for the uncompromising buyer. Lower level finished for entertaining to the finest degree! 218020652 Presented by Maryclare Pulte & Evan Treharne

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Metamora Township -$1,099,000 Located in the heart of Metamora's Hunt Country this 24 acre equestrian estate leaves nothing to be desired. 218025948 Presented by Dylan Tent

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Birmingham - $1,088,000 Stunning all brick home located on one of Birmingham's sought-after street. Quality craftsmanship and exquisite details throughout. 218025055 Presented by Dan Gutfreund

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Grosse Pointe Shores Village - $900,000 Gorgeous colonial, completely restored home on prestigious Lakeshore Drive in Grosse Pointe Shores. 218013518 Presented by David Fekin

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Superior Township - $897,500 A Tuscan Villa by Russell Custom Homes. Old world traditions are merged with exciting contemporary accents in this Glennborough home on a 1.6 wooded lot. 218030915 Presented by Tanya Hill & Ashley Gartrelle

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TOTAL SALES VOLUME ALL RESIDENTIAL AND CONDO SALES

PRICE: $2,000,000+ 150

140

130

120

38.4% 110

100

$ in Millions

90

80

70

60

50 Mkt 13.5%

40 Mkt 10.6%

30

20

Mkt 5.8%

10

Mkt 3.1% Mkt 2.3%

Mkt 2.2%

Mkt 1.8%

Mkt 1.7%

Mkt 1.5%

RE/MAX New Trend

Bailey Schmidt Inc

Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices Hwwb

0 Signature Sotheby’s International Realty

Max Broock Realtors® Birmingham

Keller Williams Domain Birmingham

Hall & Hunter Birmingham

Max Broock Realtors® Bloomfield Hills

Shain Park Realtors®

Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel Birmingham

This statistical information has been obtained from Realcomp II Ltd and actual sales. These statistics are derived from data believed to be reliable. This information is not to be reproduced, redistributed, or combined with data from other sources without expressed permission from Realcomp. Date: 1/17/18

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Bloomfield Hills

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Birmingham - $1,249,000 - Price reflects one Townhome

Birmingham - $1,249,000 - Price reflects one Townhome

248-228-4805 2301 W. Big Beaver Rd. Suite 525 Troy, MI 48084

Chemical Bank, Mortgage Division

Lynn Wiand

Vice President | Mortgage Loan Officer NMLS # 394920

Lynn.Wiand@ChemicalBank.com

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DOWNTOWN

Lic #: L-21897 06.18

to reinvent itself over 20 years ago with public charrettes, community meetings and a massive reinterpretation of the city with its 2016 Plan in 1996, a revisioning of the downtown area created by Andrés Duany and Elizabeth PlaterZyberk, Gibbs Planning Group, McKenna and other local partners, which A rendering of the senior housing project examined every aspect of the city's downtown, from streetscapes to parks to alleys and passageways to parking and modality to retail and how best to reinvigorate walkability. Other than one area, the entire document has been implemented, which Bob Gibbs said he and Duany comment is very unusual and pleasing to them as urban planners.

“Birmingham changed their zoning from one-story to five-stories (in downtown) 20-some years ago, which precipitated hundreds and thousands of more multi-family units downtown,” Gibbs said. “Now many cities, like Ferndale, are allowing denser multi-family, and are permitting parking garages.”

As part of the 2016 Plan, zoning for new buildings mandated that they be mixed use and five-stories, with retail on the first floor, commercial/office on the second and third floors, and residential on at least the fifth floor, and often the fourth floor, with parking provided for residential units. It has reshaped much of the central business district, because not only is there more residential in the downtown, but there has been an enormous influx of square foot of commercial space and office workers.

In addition, in 2007, city planners took advantage of a change in the state's liquor license requirements and created a new bistro liquor license ordinance, with the aim of activating the city's street, creating greater walkability and visibility for retailers. A far less expensive option for restaurateurs, at $20,000 for the license, the city only offers two bistro licenses per year, with the specific criteria of small restaurants with no more than 65 seats, no more than 10 of which can be at a bar; there must be a specific – and approved – menu style which is approved by the city commission and cannot be significantly changed, even if the bistro is sold (once Mediterranean, for example, always Mediterranean), with windows that cover at least 70 percent of the front of the restaurant and open out, inviting the public in, with sidewalk or patio seating.

By all standards, the bistro liquor license has been an overwhelming success, and one that is being modeled all over the country. It has drawn thousands to downtown Birmingham, and has proven to be a sound economic incentive tool.

“The bistro program is an excellent example of a planning tool to bring business, because at one time, the quota liquor license (there are a maximum of 17) were going for $600,000 or $700,000 each,” Birmingham Planning Director Jana Ecker said. “We crafted the ordinance carefully, to have small establishments, with low key entertainment, and capped the number of seats.”

The city commission is in the process of making minor changes to the bistro ordinance, to permit a slight expansion of bistros in the city's Rail and Triangle districts, which are on the other side of Woodward Avenue, and extend all the way to Eton Road and the railroad tracks bordering Troy.

“We revised the bistro ordinance to encourage and attract activity in those areas,” Ecker said. “They add character and incentive to clean

up and make those areas attractive, and to help keep the city viable in those areas.”

Ecker, along with city manager Joe Valentine, said continually focusing the conversation around walkability has been in the city's best interest, especially now with a reemergent Detroit. near the Royal Park Hotel in Rochester “We always talk about walkability, whether in a way to be convenient, in strategizing, in light of changes in retail, or as we talk about a re-emergent Detroit,” Valentine said.

Ecker said they continue to stay pro-active for both residents and businesses, redoing the city's multi-modal plan in 2012, which she said, “We were once a car-centric community, now we're about all forms of modalities. We looked at cars, pedestrians, cyclists, ADA-compliance, everything,” Ecker said. “It's allowed us to say, 'should there be bike rental programs? Charging stations?'”

The downtown is currently undergoing a major road construction project as it rebuilds several downtown city streets, including sewer and water infrastructure – some of which dates back to the 1890s – adding underground fiber-optics, more crosswalks, handicap-accessible sidewalks, and charging stations for mobile devices at benches and other locations.

“We continue to re-evaluate and modify things to keep up with technology and changing times,” Ecker said. “Forty years ago, 20 years ago, the emphasis wasn't on the downtown (but on the neighborhoods).

Now it is. I don't think we've reinvented ourselves – we're working to continue to evolve. We've always had restaurants – now we have bistros.

We always had the park – now Shain Park is better (after a recreation to make it a center square with a bandshell and other amenities).

“We are always working to evolve,” she continued. “We had good bones to start with, and we're always working to improve. We also are good with planning. We figure out what we want first – then we write ordinances to craft what we can get.”

Birmingham is figuring out what they want for the last piece of the puzzle of the 2016 Plan, for the N. Old Woodward parking structure and adjacent surface lot, which the 2016 Plan recommended creating a continuation of Bates Street, and ringing the street with retail and perhaps adding residential.

With the success of office usage in downtown Birmingham came a squeeze on parking. A study by an ad hoc parking committee led to the decision to issue an RFP to invite “creative and innovative development plans from qualified developers that will extend Bates Street from Willits to N. Old Woodward and redevelop the remainder of the site by constructing a parking facility that provides a minimum of 1,150 parking spaces currently on the N. Old Woodward/Bates Street site, introducing residential, commercial and/or mixed uses to create an activated, pedestrian-oriented urban streetscape and provide public access to the Rouge River and Booth Park to the north.”

Two qualified groups responded with detailed proposals, one called Woodward/Bates, comprised of Saroki Architecture (Victor Saroki) of Birmingham, Walbridge (John Rakolta, Jr.) of Detroit, Boji Group (Ron Boji), Lansing, and Robertson Bros. Homes (Paul C. Robertson Jr.), of Bloomfield. The other was submitted by TIR Equities, a Birminghambased limited liability company incorporated by Ara Darakjian of Darakjian Jewelers on Willits Street.

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national shops, with stores Each responded with needing to abide by their interpretation of the standardized hours and RFP, but with decidedly protocols. different visions.

A concern of this The Woodward/Bates proposal, which Darakjian proposal followed the RFP to said will generate $300-plus the letter of the law, offering million in revenues, is multia five-story mixed use fold for the city, first of building on N. Old which is the 15-story Woodward, and parking building, in a city with a structure for almost 1,300 five-story height limit. spaces plus nine on-street The planned civic center development proposed for Royal Oak Darakjian said that only spaces on the extended Bates Street, and a public park/plaza with a fountain in the center, and applies to privately-owned buildings, and he is proposing the city own it, with a tax increment finance (TIF) district to help finance the a bridge to neighboring Booth Park. They stated the economic impact development, which staff labeled, in essence, a subsidy by the city, of their project at $166 million.

As described in their proposal, the 1,276 space structure they would which the RFP specifically said would not be part of this development.

“Every city also reserves the right to change that. The Birmingham build would have three levels below ground, and six levels above ground, with a first floor retail and optional residential above. The new ordinance has a height restriction on private property, but not on city property, and this is city-owned property,” Darakjian countered. five-story mixed-use building will have first floor retail on N. Old “The RFP...makes clear that no city subsidies will be made available Woodward, two floors of office and two floors of residential above. for a potential development. The TIR Equities team indicated during “This building is directly in front of the parking structure and will their interview process that the proposal they submitted would not serve as a gateway for the Bates Street extension and provide more cost the city...Staff inquired further, and learned that as part of the connectivity for the downtown walking/shopping patterns,” the proposal, TIR Equities anticipated the use of a Tax Increment Finance proposal stated. The Bates Street extension would be pedestrianfriendly with extra wide sidewalks and retail and the public plaza with district and revenues from the parking structures that the city could the foot bridge to Booth Park “will be an active urban space with urban use to pay for the development,” stated the staff evaluation.

“Additionally, the parking revenue assumed $3.5 million in annual furniture, landscaping and a play/fountain water feature. It will be a revenue to support this payback. The current structure with half of the space for gathering, activities, cafes and relaxation.” proposed spaces is expected to generate $1.2 million in revenue. At In addition, there are also other proposed buildings that could be best, staff projects a doubling of revenue (approximately $2.6 million).” options for the site, including another parking structure that could be Another concern for some city staff and city leaders is the potential integrated into the other structure with three more floors of residential; a of the development to become its own isolated destination within Bates/Rouge River residential mixed use building, five stores which Birmingham, “a mini-Ren Cen,” said one city commissioner, referring follows the shape of the street with first floor retail, two floors of office and two floors of residential, with two levels of parking, fronting on Willits to Detroit's Renaissance Center.

Street “and provide more connectivity and activity in this part of It's an idea that Darakjian doesn't dissuade from. “It is it's own downtown. A proposed walking 'via' will be developed on the east side development. It becomes a neighborhood, an enclave, rather than just a between this new building and the existing (Google) building to the east.” street, so it becomes a focal point of downtown,” he said. “It solidifies downtown Birmingham in the marketplace. It will not take people away The TIR Equities proposal looked at the RFP, and as Darakjian said, from Maple and Old Woodward – it will generate more traffic and more “I met and exceeded every criteria.” The RFP became a launch pad for people coming to Birmingham – there will be people from all over the creating a new development along N. Old Woodward which is both world coming to see this world-class designed enclave.” stunning – and perhaps too bold for Birmingham, some say.

TIR Equities hired Robert AM Stern Architects in New York City, A May meeting of the ad hoc parking committee, tasked with known for designing some of the tallest skyscrapers in New York, with recommending the plans forward, preferred the Woodward/Bates a modernist architectural style. proposal to the city commission, feeling the TIR Equities proposal did “He's the only one in the world with the international experience to not meet the RFP, and that it was too ambitious for the site. do justice to this kind of development,” Darakjian said. “I brought While Darakjian is continuing to work on persuading the city and someone who has the experience and vision for this site, who will business leaders of his vision, Birmingham has a history of not letting solidify the reputation of Birmingham for generations to come. It's the developers dictate development, but rather taking the lead from city future we're looking at – not today.” leadership, planning and zoning. It's unlikely to be any different this The future, as Stern and Darakjian envision it, has a four-level time around, as they look to cross the last piece on their list from the underground parking structure along with some on-street parking for 2016 Plan and move forward with a new citywide master plan process.

1,781 vehicles, and a 15-story mixed use building at its centerpiece, “The whole concept was in the 2016 Plan, and it's the biggest some other adjacent buildings and a center plaza, which would offer element left – to add more public parking and connect Old Woodward 60,000 square feet of retail, 25,000 square feet of office space, and 371 and Bates,” city planner Ecker said. “The giant surface parking lot is units of residential, which Darakjian said is designed to attract 25 to not adding anything. Then, it's great to add more development and 40-year-olds. vitality, but it depends on the scope of the project. You go to your “We want a younger demographic, and we'll have market rents for master plan and see what direction it gives you.” sure. Each of these people will eat out and shop in Birmingham,” It's a process that has done well by Birmingham for over two Darakjian. decades, no matter what other communities, large or small, have Darakjian said 80 percent of the stores and restaurants will be done.

FACES

Lily Fenster ow you know my story,” Lily Fenster told a packed room at the Holocaust Memorial Center in Farmington Hills in May. She took a comedic beat before she continued, “Thank you all for making me so famous.”

The crowd – which came close to 300 people – laughed as Fenster smiled.

The evening’s event was for guests to meet the three woman portrayed in the graphic memoir “Flying Couch,” done by Fenster’s granddaughter, Amy Kurzweil. Flying Couch discusses the lives of Fenster and Kurzweil, as well as Kurzweil’s mother, Sonya.

When Kurzweil first approached Fenster about the memoir, Fenster didn’t think she had much of a story to tell. Anyone who has read the memoir, or talked to Fenster, would disagree.

“I lived through a lot,” said the 92-year-old a few days later on the couch in her Birmingham home.

In 1926, Fenster was born in Warsaw, Poland, where she lived with her four sisters, parents, and grandma. She lived through bombings, including one where she got shrapnel in her hip while trying to protect her grandma. She was in the hospital for a month because they didn’t take care of Jewish people. But she survived.

Then, after the German invasion of Poland in 1939, she and her family ended up in the Warsaw Ghetto. Fenster eventually escaped, disguised as a Catholic orphan. She was only 13.

“Why did I run from the ghetto?,” she said. “I lost my baby sister. The day she died, my whole world died. I didn’t want to be Jewish anymore. I didn’t know what to do anymore. I just went, and I didn’t care if I lived or died.”

Fenster got to a smaller town but not before getting typhoid fever. She survived that too. In total, she walked about 100 kilometers, which is about

N

63 miles. Fenster worked on farms, where she helped with cows, pigs, and horses, hiding among gentiles.

While at one farm she made bread. One day, a man Fenster knew was Jewish came and she stole a piece of bread for him, telling him to run so the Nazis wouldn’t get him. That same man – who she ran into after the war had ended – would one day introduce Fenster to her husband, Dave, who she was married to for 45 years before he passed away from Lou Gehrig disease.

They only knew each other for six weeks before they got married.

“There wasn’t time for romance,” she laughed.

Dave and Lily, along with their daughter Sonya, eventually made their way to America in 1951.

When Dave had to list an occupation he put mechanic, which is how they ended up in Michigan. The family lived in Bloomfield Hills for 35 years. Fenster has been in Birmingham for the last 10.

Now, all those years later, she’s gotten to watch her kids and grandkids and great-grandkids grow up in America, a land she truly loves.

“Blessed the date when I came to America,” she said. “That is my country.

“I would never believe it...that there would be great-grandkids, get married, have a husband, be a complete woman,” Fenster continued.

Or that so many people would find her story so fascinating.

“So you find it interesting?” she asked.

After I nodded, she took a big sigh, and said, “Thank you, honey.” Then she asked if her hair looked OK – she did have a photo shoot to get ready for.

Story: Dana Casadei

Photo: Laurie Tennent

MUNICIPAL Liquor license rules to include hotels

By Lisa Brody

Despite an activist campaign opposing it, apparently led by the Townsend Hotel, Birmingham city commissioners approved amending the city's zoning ordinance to permit liquor licenses for hotels in the downtown area with a valid special land use permit at their meeting on Monday, May 14.

At the beginning of the public hearing on the ordinance amendment, mayor Andrew Harris announced that commissioners were only considering a zoning ordinance change. “The property at 298 S. Old Woodward has already been approved by the planning board,” he said, referring to a group actively opposing a new hotel for the site, The Daxton.

The week prior to the public hearing at the city commission meeting, a press release was sent out by Mort Crim Communications, noting in a follow up phone call it had been retained by a “concerned citizen and Birmingham businesses.” The public relations firm’s email alleged that “The new Daxton Hotel development is being allowed to transfer a liquor license from another city, which bypasses the huge fees that other area business are required to pay for the privilege of serving liquor at their establishments. In addition, the Daxton Hotel development is being given a pass on the parking requirements by which other businesses need to abide.

It is not required to provide parking to accommodate the anticipated 100 employees, guests for 140 rooms, or for the 200-person event facility,” none of which were accurate.

Further, Jennette Smith of Crim Communications acknowledged she was the administrator of a Facebook page called Level the Playing Field in Downtown Birmingham, with Townsend Hotel managing partner David Sillman the only client she could name. The Facebook page, and the email, encouraged residents to fight the new hotel at the city commission meeting on May 14, due to congestion and excessive parking problems in Birmingham. A full page ad was also placed in a local publication, urging people to attend the public hearing to oppose the hotel.

Planning director Jana Ecker said at the meeting that about a year ago, the commission considered and approved a downtownpublications.com

Safety path millage renewal approved loomfield Township trustees unanimously approved placing a renewal of the township’s safety path millage on the August ballot at their meeting on Monday, April 23, for an additional five years, for .4655 mills, beginning with the December 2019 tax collection.

The township's safety path network provides residents walkable access to destinations such as schools and shopping complexes within the township, and also connects to neighboring communities' safety path networks such as Auburn Hills, Birmingham, Franklin, Pontiac, Troy and West Bloomfield.

The township has approximately 70 miles of safety paths, 82,000 square feet of retaining walls, and 25,000 square feet of fencing.

Olivia Olsztyn-Budry, director of engineering and environmental services, explained the Bloomfield Township safety path program has been in place since 1998, with the original safety path master plan developed in 1999 and updated in 2008. The last millage update was in 2014, and will be expiring in December 2018.

“There are 4.2 miles from the 2008 master plan update that remain to be completed, for a cost of $4.5 million, and in 2014, there were route additions, with 1.6 miles remaining to be completed, at a cost of about $1.8 million,” she said.

She said the routes are all not yet designed, so the costs are estimated.

Further, there are repair, upgrades and maintenance costs, as well as bringing some current routes into ADA-compliance, for a total of $7.3 million. In addition, Olsztyn-Budry said they would update the safety path master plan.

Ballot language for the approved millage renewal reads as: “Shall the Charter Township of Bloomfield be authorized to continue to levy the Safety Path Millage [which was previously approved on August 5, 2014 for up to 0.4655 mils for a period of five (5) years] for an additional five (5) years commencing with the December 2019 levy, to fund a safety path program, including construction and maintenance of safety paths and the acquisition of rights-of-way for such purpose? Approval of this proposal would permit a tax limitation levy of $0.4655 per $1,000.00 of taxable value on all taxable property in the Township. This millage will be subject to applicable statutory and constitutional tax limitation provisions at the time of levy and will not exceed the above-stated rate.

It is estimated that this proposal would result in the authorization to collect $1,850,000 in the first year if approved and fully levied.”

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zoning ordinance change for the liquor license ordinance to permit the sale of alcohol in theaters. She said this change would allow for “theaters and hotels. It's already there for theaters, and it's all the same standards. The limit is currently two per year, for a theater and/or a hotel.”

She said an applicant would have to provide a site plan, an economic impact study, the approximate amount of money planning to be invested, and the number of jobs they would be bringing to the city. She said the planning board recommend a size restriction of a minimum of 100 rooms, and the hotel would have to operate under a special land use permit (SLUP) contract. The change does not specify new or existing hotels – just like with theaters, Ecker pointed out.

“We did it for the Birmingham 8,” she said. “Many of you may know there is an interest for other hotels to come into the city,” with another application already submitted to the city.

She said if the city decides hotels are good for downtown, “it is because it brings in business to the city's stores, restaurants and provides walkability, that they spend enough money to warrant providing them with a liquor license.”

A second aspect of the public hearing would zone hotel licenses only on 94 parcels within the downtown business district, so the other side of Woodward, including the Triangle District or the existing Holiday Inn, would not qualify.

“The idea is to invigorate downtown,” Ecker said, noting like the

DOWNTOWN

original bistro ordinance, they only applied in the downtown area, then spread out throughout the city.

Commissioner Rackeline Hoff addressed the elephant in the room regarding The Daxton Hotel wanting a liquor license. “Why isn't this (property) considered as an economic development license?” she asked.

“Because when the commission set up economic development licenses, it on was on big Woodward. We discussed expanding it, but we didn't,” Ecker said, noting it has recently been expanded to the Rail District.

“Why is it 100 (rooms)? It could be 70 and that would be significant,” said commissioner Mark Nickita. “It seems like an arbitrary number.”

“This ordinance allows for high class, first class hotels. When someone stays at the Townsend or the Daxton, they go to retail, restaurants, theater or the market, and never get in their car – because this is the only city in metro Detroit where you can do that – because the 2016 Plan anticipated that,” said Daxton Hotel attorney Rick Rattner.

Those in favor of the new Daxton Hotel, and expanding the use of hotel licenses, outnumbered those who were concerned about “leveling the playing field.” Duraid Marcus, the owner of the Holiday Inn, said, “It would be ridiculous for this hotel to spend this money and not receive a liquor license,” while noting his own hotel would not benefit from the ordinance change.

Commissioners asked him how many rooms his hotel has, and he responded 64, “and all my guests shop and dine in Birmingham.” Later, commissioners debated how the Holiday Inn could perhaps benefit from changes in the zoning law.

David Foster, a long-time resident, said, “There have been a lot of changes in the last several years, and I don't like them,” complaining about congestion and the difficulty in finding parking.

“It's not Chicago, it's not Detroit, and it's not even Pontiac. How many people are you losing because of density?” he asked.

Commissioners did not agree. “I would rather deal with a busy city and deal with parking,” said commissioner Pierre Boutros. “It is not what is good for S. Old Woodward and Brown, but what is good for Birmingham. Birmingham is unique in itself, that is why everyone wants to visit Birmingham. It's how are we going to keep the city vibrant and 79

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active. We'll find solutions, like for parking.”

Commissioner Mark Nickita noted that about 15 years ago, a proposal for a Hilton Hotel died for the corner of Woodward and Maple, at the Hunter House site, “because they couldn't get a liquor license. And it's still a dirt site. And I've wished it was a Hilton Hotel. We've always addressed a need. Cities as we should know are organic. We respond to needs and demands to move forward. I don't agree this ordinance was designed for this hotel, just as bistros weren't created for Townhouse. I have problems with 100 rooms, because it was determined without some thorough backing. I would like to see how other hotels, other than the Townsend, like the Holiday Inn, could benefit.”

Nickita pointed out the economic development license could be considered spot zoning – “which we've never done,” he said.

Commissioners approved the change for the liquor license to permit hotels as well as theaters, by a vote of 5-2, with commissioners Hoff and Patty Bordman voting against.

To amend the zoning to only permit the hotel licenses in the downtown business district, commissioners were split, with several feeling it was too restrictive and needed more study by the planning board, and others feeling it was appropriate. They voted 4-3 to approve it, with commissioners Boutros, Stuart Sherman and Carroll DeWeese voting against.

Police retirees' suit thrown out by court

By Lisa Brody

A lawsuit filed on November 20, 2017, against Bloomfield Township by a group of retired township police officers, who asserted that a change in their health care benefits violated their collective bargaining agreement promising lifetime benefits at a certain level, was disposed of in a summary disposition in favor of the township by Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Martha Anderson on Tuesday, May 8.

In March 2017, long-term retirees in Bloomfield Township were notified of changes to their health care benefits to match the health care policy current employees and retirees downtownpublications.com

since 2011 receive. At a board of trustees meeting, township supervisor Leo Savoie explained that the township held an open meeting for all retirees and their families, that it is part of a health savings account, a tax-advantaged medical savings account that may have a higher deductible. He said the township promised them health care benefits, but that to be fiscally responsible to all taxpayers, some changes had to be made.

Savoie said that as more employees retiree, “there is a tsunami of health care changes coming,” including at the state level, with the governor creating a tax force to look into it. “There’s a good chance legislation is coming back, where both employees and retirees will have to pay 20 percent of their health care.”

In Bloomfield Township, the changes made have allowed them to put aside millions of dollars into the Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA) account. “We will continue to be a pay as you go account, and continue to put aside funds, so 30 to 40 years from now, we’ll have $30 to $40 million in VEBA. At no time will retiree health care be less than (what it is) for active employees,” Savoie said. “At the end of the day, HRA health care is a good plan.”

“The change to that retiree health care plan is just that – a change,” noted clerk Jan Roncelli at the March meeting. “You need to give it a chance to see how it works. It allows us to sustain the legacy for lifetime to retirees. The cost for a family is almost double what the cost was – and that’s $160,000 a year to the township.”

However, a group of retired police officers and firefighters disagreed, asserting they and their spouses had been guaranteed and promised the same level of health care benefits as when they retired.

Judge Anderson disagreed with the suit filed for eight former police officers. Anderson wrote, “The Court, having reviewed the parties' respective motion, response, amended reply, briefs in support and documentation...finds that no genuine issue of material fact exists for trial in this matter…Plaintiffs' Complaint is dismissed in its entirety.”

The firefighters' suit against the township, before Oakland County Judge Dan O'Brien, is proceeding through its discovery phase.

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MUNICIPAL The Morrie approved without dance floor

By Lisa Brody

The Morrie, a dining and entertainment venue for the former Au Cochon and Arthur Avenue locations in the Palladium Building on Old Woodward in Birmingham, received unanimous approval for a special land use permit (SLUP) and final site plan by city commissioners at their meeting on Monday, May 14, but not without some concern about potential dancing at the new establishment.

Planning director Jana Ecker said that the applicant, Aaron Belen, of AFB Hospitality Group, is planning to combine both sites, located at 260 N. Old Woodward, for a restaurant that will be almost 8,000 square feet, have 214 indoor seats and 16 outdoor seats on a raised platform. The two front doors would be maintained, Ecker said, as will the nanowall windows, which allow for open air dining during nicer months.

Inside, 33 of the proposed seats will surround a large central bar, with a raised performance stage behind, which will showcase live bands and other live entertainment, similar to Belen's Royal Oak restaurant, The Morrie. Belen plans on 16 seats on an outdoor platform. In both locations, The Morrie is a casual restaurant serving eclectic neighborhood and roadhouse-style cuisine. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They're planning on just cleaning up the exterior, making it simpler,â&#x20AC;?

Ecker said, with the interior floor plan staying the same. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They are proposing entertainment, with a house band playing generational music. They are not proposing any dancing,â&#x20AC;? she said of the proposal. She also said the entertainment would not just be on weekends, but at brunch, and on many weeknights, and could vary and include acoustic duos and comedians â&#x20AC;&#x153;from time to time.â&#x20AC;?

Commissioner Mark Nickita asked if the exterior seating took into account the new sidewalk design, and Ecker said it did.

Belen introduced himself to the commission, and said he would be the tenant in the Palladium building and the owner of the restaurant. Belen said The Morrie will be open seven days a week, for lunch, brunch and dinner. During the week it will be open from noon until 11; and weekends from noon until 2 a.m. Then he threw the commission, and Ecker, a zinger. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Technically, there will be a dance floor. We will seat tables and move them at night for dancing,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So you will have a dance floor?â&#x20AC;? asked commissioner Rackeline Hoff. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yes, in front of the bar,â&#x20AC;? he responded.

His architect, Kevin Biddison, said a 10-foot by 10-foot area in front of the bar, would â&#x20AC;&#x153;sometimesâ&#x20AC;? be a dance floor, and sometimes it wouldn't, but it wouldn't be a separate wood dance floor. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It's a concrete floor,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Hoff asked them if they anticipated doing any soundproofing, and Biddison said they did, by adding panels on the walls and spraying soundproofing material on the ceiling.

Nickita was concerned about the dance floor, and asked if the discrepancy regarding it got approved by the planning board, â&#x20AC;&#x153;because we've been very careful about entertainment.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;When it went to the planning board, no, they said there will not be a dance floor, they will not be moving tables for dancing, people will just sing alongâ&#x20AC;? to the band, Ecker said.

Commissioner Patty Bordman said that while she supports The Morrie because she believes the city needs fresh ideas, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am concerned about the discrepancy on the dance floor.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;A SLUP is a contract with the city,â&#x20AC;? pointed out Nickita. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It has to be as crystal clear as possible.â&#x20AC;?

City attorney Tim Currier said it would be permissible to pass the SLUP for the restaurant without a dance floor, and then have them come back for an amendment for clarification.

Commissioner Stuart Sherman liked that approach, noting that would allow them to move forward to the Michigan Liquor Control Commission.

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DOWNTOWN

87

Zoning changes for bistros sent back

By Lisa Brody

More work planned on Birmingham logo While assistant to the city manager Joellen Haines requested that Birmingham city commissioners approve a request at their Monday, April 23, meeting to direct staff to issue a request for proposal (RFP) to solicit a professional firm to create a new city logo, after a lengthy debate, commissioners took no action and sent Haines back to work with staff to first create a new RFP. City commissioners in July 2016 approved a rebranding initiative involving McCann Detroit and the Birmingham Ad Hoc Brand Development Committee to establish a new brand through a new logo that communicated the city’s image in a positive, evolving and refreshing way.

She said McCann was chosen to create a logo to represent Birmingham “today, and where it is going.”

However, a year later the commissioners felt the logos presented were a “work in progress,” which needed to be refined. One design element included an icon of the Marshall Fredericks sculpture located in Shain Park, with Birmingham: A Walkable City, in classic typeface, which was preferred by the agency and the ad hoc committee, but the commission felt no one could identify it. Others were deemed too generic.

The current city logo features a tree.

In January, the city, under Haines’ direction, conducted an online survey which included five previous logos, two new ones with a tree logo and the city's existing logo, to gauge public opinion.

“It was one of our most popular surveys, with more than 1,700 responses. We got a lot of positive responses from people,” Haines said.

“I'm here to present the data and move the process forward.”

She said the top three designs had trees in them. “Everyone loves trees.

They identify trees with Birmingham,” she said.

She proposed the next step would be to “take the binder full of data and issue an RFP to finish the process we've begun to have a firm finish the process.”

“An RFP to move forward is openended. Are you asking for direction?

Can you be more specific,” said commissioner Mark Nickita.

“A draft RFP to the commission so the commission can respond back on the survey,” Haines responded.

“It's not based on the survey – it's just a part of the work over 15 months,” countered Nickita. “You're saying you're asking a consultant to incorporate it into a new logo.”

“I think this is going right back where we were a year-and-a-half ago.

We did issue an RFP, had a firm, and had a committee,” said commissioner Rackeline Hoff. “We've had one of the best advertising agencies in the world, and we didn't agree on the logo. I think the data is more confusing. I don't think we're going anywhere.”

“Do we want to change the logo?” asked mayor pro tem Patty Bordman.

“What's the motivation for a new logo? I'm seeing a dearth of motivation for a new logo,” said mayor Andy Harris.

“I think historically it was from the city commission,” said city manager Joe Valentine. “There were a lot of communities doing new logos two or three years ago. There's a lot of talent in town and we thought we should redesign.”

“It's our brand. Personally, I think it's subpar,” Nickita said. “Having something like this for 30 years or so is where it began. I for one feel if Royal Oak and Ferndale and other communities can upgrade theirs, so can we.”

“Some logos endure for decades and decades and suffice,” noted Harris.

“I recommend we give Joellen the opportunity to put together an RFP for us to see. I believe we can get there.

It's our job,” said Nickita.

Henry Ford medical center at Village Henry Ford Health System is expanding to Bloomfield Township, announcing plans to build a two-story, 83,000 square foot medical center that will be part of the Village at Bloomfield, located along Telegraph Road north of Square Lake Road.

The medical center will offer primary care and women's health care initially, along with a walk-in clinic, pharmacy, OptimEyes and other retail services. It will add a number of specialties services in the future.

The new Henry Ford Medical Center will offer evening and weekend hours, and will provide additional parking through a multi-level garage.

oning changes to the Birmingham bistro ordinance recommended by the city's planning board at an April meeting were not taken up by the city commission at their meeting on Monday, May 14, and instead returned to the planning board for further work.

In 2007, the city created a bistro liquor ordinance with the goal of invigorating Birmingham's streets and creating greater walkability. The current ordinance permits unique restaurants to obtain a liquor license if they have no more than 65 seats, including 10 at the bar, and low key entertainment only. The bistro regulations adopted also included requirements for storefront glazing, seating along the storefront windows, and a requirement for outdoor dining. The city commission approves the concept for each bistro license to be given out, with no more than two bistro licenses approved each year.

The city commission had prioritized changes in the bistro ordinance at last year's city commission/planning board workshop, and the planning board unanimously recommended changes to no longer permit year-round enclosures of outdoor spaces, notably with Eisenglass. Planning director Matt Baka noted that in the last 11 years, “new applicants have sought creative ways to increase the number of seats through the use of all season outdoor dining, and the board did not want that permitted.” He note it not only increases the number of seats for the restaurant as a whole for a majority of the year, but it also increases the parking demand in the downtown area, which is already taxed.

“Parking in the downtown area, restaurants provide 14 times a retail use,” Baka said. He said the board proposed allowing more interior seats in the Triangle and Rail districts, permitting 15 seats at a bar and adding 20 more interior seats, for a total of 85 seats in those districts.

Baka also said the board recommended a maximum height at outdoor dining decks at 42-inches for railings or planters. “They shouldn't be isolating themselves by being too high – it goes against intent,” he said.

“When we sent this to planning, one of our priorities was rooftop dining, because there had been an applicant, Lincoln Yards (for the Rail District), that had so much rooftop and back dining that it was becoming a full-fledged restaurant, not a bistro,” said mayor pro tem Patty Bordman. “It seems to me that if one of our problems was rooftop dining, then it needed to be addressed.”

“This is one of my issues, too,” concurred commissioner Mark Nickita. “It's about the bistros being treated like full-fledged restaurants. It's one of the ways to keep bistros, bistros. That's one of our issues, so if you have a site that could have rooftop dining, you could have a restaurant with 300, 400 seats.”

“I think that's why they wanted to get rid of year-round enclosures. They wanted to give them a little leeway,” said planning director Jana Ecker.

Nickita noted Lincoln Yards did not get approved was because it had too many seats – but not year-round enclosures.

“There was a gap, and it wasn't addressed,” Nickita said.

“They (planning board) felt it could be addressed by a SLUP,” Ecker responded. “They didn't want to limit the number of outdoor seats.”

“So it could be 300 or 400 seats five months of the year?” commissioner Rackeline Hoff asked.

“Yes, that is what they intended,” Ecker said.

Nickita said the seating issue was a problem for him, as it was a specific request from the commission to the planning board, and other commissioners concurred, as was the request to address rooftop dining.

“When you put seats on the roof, it doesn't activate the streets,” pointed out commissioner Carroll DeWeese. “I'd like this to go back to be reconsidered. The more fundamental issue is size.”

Commissioners took no action, sending it back to the planning board to revise.

Z

REDICO, a national development corporation out of Southfield, bought the foreclosure rights to the Village at Bloomfield, formerly known as Bloomfield Place in 2016. The Village at Bloomfield is an 87-acre mixed use development that will have a Menard's and a 432-unit three-story apartment complex to be developed by Edward Rose & Sons of Bloomfield Hills. Redico said they are developing both the Village and Henry Ford Medical Center.

“We are thrilled to expand into this part of Oakland County and beyond,” said Bob Riney, president, healthcare operations and chief operating officer, Henry Ford Health System. “Not only are we providing a new option for high quality clinical services for the people of Oakland County, we are also joining other organizations in breathing new life into this development project.”

“We have really expanded our mission to give our patients and customers more convenient and affordable options,” said William Conway, M.D., CEO of the Henry Ford Medical Group. “When you combine the accessibility of extended hours and ample parking with the digital advancements we’re making like evisits and online messaging with your doctor, we really believe we are creating a unique healthcare experience in this market.”

“We are excited to have Henry Ford Health System as part of our mixed-use development, complementing the services we’ll be providing including retail, residential and hospitality,” said Dale Watchowski, president and CEO, REDICO. Construction on the new medical facility, expected to cost approximately $38 million, is expected to begin by the end of 2018, with its projected opening in the fall of 2019.

Ethiopian restaurant seeking bistro license Taste of Ethiopia, a new Birmingham restaurant coming to 183 N. Old Woodward, received unanimous city commission approval at their meeting on Monday, April 23, to move forward to the planning board in their application for a bistro liquor license.

“Usually, we see bistro application October 1,” said planning director Jana Ecker. “This past October, we didn't have any bistros apply.”

When less than two bistro applications are approved for a downtownpublications.com

calendar year, there can be a spring screening for bistro applicants, Ecker explained, with April 1 the deadline.

This spring, there was only one applicant, Taste of Ethiopia.

Meskerem Gebreyohannes, owner of the restaurant, which also has a location in Southfield, told commissioners she has over 20 years of experience in restaurants in Michigan and Toronto.

“I have first-hand experience cooking, serving, handling liquor and financial,” she said. “I have been in Southfield for 12 years, with a liquor license. I am very excited to be here.”

In her application, she explained that “Serving health conscious Ethiopian cuisine where the focus is not solely on the incredible food but an opportunity to create a cultural experience that will transport customers and provide them with authentic Ethiopian traditions and history without ever leaving Birmingham...The ambiance will feature hand carved Ethiopian chairs, traditional art work, and custom woven Ethiopian baskets.”

As for why she wants a liquor license, Gebreyohannes responded, “As you know, the rent in Birmingham is not cheap, and having a liquor license will help.”

Commissioner Rackeline Hoff asked if her she planned to open the restaurant with or without the bistro license, and Gebreyohannes said she would, in June or July, and that she already has a signed lease.

Commissioner Mark Nickita asked if the restaurant was part of a chain.

“I see a New York address. Toronto?

Is this independent?”

“The New York restaurant is mine – run by my son,” she responded. She said she no longer has the Toronto restaurant since she moved to Michigan, and has closed an Eastern Market outpost.

“I think this may be a wonderful opportunity, but perhaps you open and submit a more complete application in October,” Hoff said.

“I think that's part of the due diligence of the planning board,” commissioner Carroll DeWeese countered. “I think it's unique.”

“I'm going to move this forward.

It's not to evaluate (now), it's to be a very simple overview,” said commissioner Stuart Sherman. “It's taking the place of a restaurant that's closed (New Bangkok Thai Bistro), so it's not taking the place of something else.”

DOWNTOWN

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FACES Bill Ludwig fter spending over 35 years building others brands, Bill Ludwig decided it was time to build his own.

Last year, he and Lou Mettler did just that, and launched American Made Performance. The company creates gear – think sports, beach and resort apparel, and fishing gear and apparel – that is 100 percent grown, woven, and sewn in the U.S. They were inspired after meeting and searching for American made apparel.

“Sadly, there’s very little of it out there,” said Ludwig, who is the company’s CEO. The duo soon found themselves at trade shows looking for products that were American-made.

At one fishing trade show in particular, Mettler commented on all the fishing apparel brands out there, and wondered if they really wanted to introduce another fishing line to the world. (Ludwig said the fishing industry is worth about $80 billion.)

“I said, ‘Yeah, but look at the label, Lou,’” said the Birmingham resident. “And we did. We could find a lot of clothes from China, Guatemala, Honduras, Vietnam, but nothing, not one article of clothing that said, ‘Made in the USA.’ “I said, ‘Lou, I gotta believe at least 5 percent of the fishermen out there would prefer a product that said, ‘Made in the USA,’” Ludwig continued. “Five percent of $80 billion is a lot.”

And with that, AMP launched last August.

Since then, they have found their customer isn’t just your average fisherman. A large part of their sales actually come from the American corporate world.

“It's tough when you are a company that is screaming, ‘Made in America,’ and your union is saying, ‘Made in America’ and supporting American made, and you’re wearing hats from China,” Ludwig laughed.

AMP isn’t simply a brand for apparel, though.

“AMP is also about a movement and a cause that says, ‘Hey, we can make competitive, American-made apparel without a cost or compromise of quality,’” Ludwig said.

Ludwig – who also currently serves as the CEO at HEYOU Science – is very familiar with working with cause marketing.

During his career at Campbell Ewald – where he started as a copywriter in 1982 and moved all the way up to CEO before leaving in 2013 – Ludwig worked with many causes, such as American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, and the U.S. Navy.

He also played a very large role in the company’s work with Chevrolet.

“I think during my tenure there we developed some of the finest automotive advertising in the industry of automotive advertising,” he said.

Including Chevrolet’s “Heartbeat of America,” “American Revolution,” and “Like a Rock” campaigns. Ludwig said the latter is probably the most famous one he was a part of.

When asked if he had a favorite ad campaign he’s done throughout his career he couldn’t pick just one.

“That’s like asking a father which is your favorite child,” Ludwig said.

“Children bring us joy on different days in different ways, and they frustrate us at other times. I think the same is true of the campaigns that I was fortunate enough to be involved in.”

Those campaigns have also gotten him a few recognitions. He was inducted into the American Advertising Federation Hall of Achievement and served as the U.S. judge at the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival, among other things.

“That’s pretty much how I’ve operated throughout my entire career, to focus on the work and the rewards will follow,” he said.

Throughout it all though, Michigan is the only place he wants to be.

“My heart always comes back to Michigan,” he said.

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DOWNTOWN

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06.18

PLACES TO EAT • Graduation Parties • Father’s Day Celebration The Places To Eat for Downtown is a quick reference source to establishments offering a place for dining, either breakfast, lunch or dinner. The listings include nearly all dining establishments with seating in the Birmingham/Bloomfield area, and then some select restaurants outside the immediate area served by Downtown.

Birmingham/Bloomfield 220: American. Lunch & Dinner, MondaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 220 E. Merrill Street, Birmingham, 48009.

248.646.2220.

5th Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner daily.

No reservations. Liquor. 2262 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township, 48302.

248.481.9607.

Andiamo: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 6676 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township, 48301.

248.865.9300.

Bagger Dave's Legendary Burger Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 6608 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township, 48301.

248.792.3579.

Bangkok Thai Bistro: Thai. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 42805 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Township, 48304.

248.499.6867.

Beau's: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 4108 W. Maple, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.626.2630.

Bella Piatti: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor.

167 Townsend Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.494.7110.

Beverly Hills Grill: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. Liquor. No reservations. 31471 Southfield Road, Beverly Hills, 48025. 248.642.2355.

Beyond Juice: Contemporary. Breakfast & Lunch daily; Dinner, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. 270 West Maple Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.7078.

Big Rock Chophouse: American. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 245 South Eton Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.647.7774.

Bill's: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, Daily. Reservations, lunch only. Liquor.

39556 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.646.9000.

Birmingham Sushi Cafe: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 377 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009.

248.593.8880.

Bistro Joe’s Kitchen: Global. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Sunday brunch. Liquor.

Reservations. 34244 Woodward Ave., Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.0984.

Bloomfield Deli: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, Monday-Friday. No reservations. 71 W. Long Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48304.

248.645.6879.

Brooklyn Pizza: Pizza. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

No reservations. 111 Henrietta Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.258.6690.

Café ML: New American. Dinner, daily.

Liquor. Call ahead. 3607 W. Maple Road, Bloomfield Township. 248.642.4000.

Cameron’s Steakhouse: American. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 115 Willits Street, Birmingham, 48009.

248.723.1700.

China Village: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. 1655 Opdyke, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.758.1221.

Churchill's Bistro & Cigar Bar: Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 116 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.647.4555.

Cityscape Deli: Deli. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. Beer.

downtownpublications.com

877 W. Long Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.540.7220.

Commonwealth: American. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. 300 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009.

248.792.9766.

Dick O’Dow’s: Irish. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 160 West Maple Avenue, Birmingham, 48009.

248.642.1135.

Eddie Merlot's: Steak & seafood. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 37000 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.712.4095.

Einstein Bros. Bagels: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. 4089 West Maple Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301.

248.258.9939.

Elie’s Mediterranean Cuisine: Mediterranean. Lunch & Dinner, MondaySaturday. No reservations. Liquor. 263 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009.

248.647.2420.

Embers Deli & Restaurant: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. Dinner, Monday-Friday. No reservations. 3598 West Maple Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.645.1033.

Flemings Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar: American. Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 323 N. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.723.0134.

Forest: European. Dinner, Monday-Saturday.

Reservations. Liquor. 735 Forest Avenue, Birmingham 48009. 248.258.9400.

Greek Island Coney Restaurant: Greek.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 221 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009. 248.646.1222.

Griffin Claw Brewing Company: American.

Dinner, Tuesday-Friday, Lunch & Dinner, Saturday and Sunday. No Reservations.

Liquor. 575 S. Eton Street, Birmingham.

248.712.4050.

Honey Tree Grille: Greek/American.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, daily. No reservations. 3633 W. Maple Rd, Bloomfield, MI 48301. 248.203.9111.

Hunter House Hamburgers: American.

Breakfast, Monday-Saturday; Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 35075 Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009.

248.646.7121.

Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse: American.

Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 201 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham, 48009.

248.594.4369.

IHOP: American. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 2187 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301.

248.333.7522.

Joe Muer Seafood: Seafood. Lunch & Dinner daily; Sunday brunch. Reservations.

Liquor. 39475 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.792.9609.

Kaku Sushi and Poke': Asian. Lunch & Dinner. Tuesday-Sunday. No reservations.

No Liquor. 869 W. Long Lake Road, Bloomfield Township, 48302.

248.480.4785.

Kerby’s Koney Island: American. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

2160 N. Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.333.1166.

Khao San: Thai. Lunch & Dinner, MondayFriday. Carry out only. 355 W. Maple, Birmingham, 48009. 248.480.3525.

La Marsa: Mediterranean. Lunch & Dinner daily. Reservations. 43259 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills, 48302.

248.858.5800.

La Strada Dolci e Caffe: Italian. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. No reservations. Liquor. 243 E. Merrill Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.480.0492.

Leo’s Coney Island: American. Breakfast,

Outside Seating Available

Dine in • Carry-out • CaterinG

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Open Memorial Day

$5 OFF

$10 OFF

Your order of $34.95 or more

Your order of $69.95 or more

Carry-out or Dine In Order

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No digital coupons accepted. Excludes all other offers. With this coupon. Present coupon when ordering. Exp. 7/1/18.

No digital coupons accepted. Excludes all other offers. With this coupon. Present coupon when ordering. Exp. 7/1/18.

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$9.99 Steve’s

$5.99 Wyatts

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Kids’ Menu

No Coupon Needed

No Coupon Needed

Dine in only • Ribs & Fish excluded Excludes all other specials and offers.

Dine in only Excludes all other specials and offers.

6646 Telegraph at Maple Bloomfield Plaza 248.932.0800 | www.stevesdeli.com

The Birmingham/Bloomfield area is filled with discriminating diners and an array of dining establishments. Make sure the message for your restaurant reaches the right market in the right publication—Downtown.

Contact Mark Grablowski for advertising rate information.

O: 248.792.6464 Ext. 601 MarkGrablowski@downtownpublications.com

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Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

154 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.593.9707. Also 6527 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.646.8568.

Little Daddy’s Parthenon: American.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 39500 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.647.3400.

Luxe Bar & Grill: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily; Late Night, 9 p.m.-closing. No reservations. Liquor. 525 N. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham, 48009.

248.792.6051.

Mad Hatter Cafe: Tea Room. Brunch, Lunch & Dinner. No reservations. Liquor. 185 N. Old Woodward, Birmingham, 48009.

248.540.0000 Mandaloun Bistro: Lebanese. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, Daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 30100 Telegraph Rd., Suite 130, Bingham Farms, 48025. 248.723.7960.

Market North End: Mediterranean. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. No reservations.

Liquor. 474 N. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.712.4953.

MEX Mexican Bistro & Tequila Bar: Mexican. Lunch, Monday-Friday, Dinner, daily. Liquor. 6675 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township, 48301.

248.723.0800.

Nippon Sushi Bar: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner daily. No reservations. Liquor.

2079 S. Telegraph, Bloomfield Township, 48302. 248.481.9581.º Olga’s Kitchen: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 2075 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302.

248.451.0500.

Original Pancake House: American.

Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 33703 South Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009.

248.642.5775.

Panera Bread: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 100 North Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.203.7966. Also 2125 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302.

248.253.9877.

Phoenicia: Middle Eastern. Lunch, MondayFriday; Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

588 South Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.644.3122.

Pita Cafe: Middle Eastern. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 239 North Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009.

248.645.6999.

Qdoba: Mexican. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 795 East Maple Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.988.8941. Also 42967 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Township, 48304. 248.874.1876 Red Olive: Middle Eastern/American.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 42757 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Township, 48302.

248.481.7767.

Roadside B & G: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 1727 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302.

248.858.7270.

Rojo Mexican Bistro: Mexican. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 250 Merrill Street, Birmingham, 48009.

248.792.6200.

Salvatore Scallopini: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & Wine. 505 North Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.644.8977.

Sidecar Slider Bar: Burgers. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 280 E. Merrill Street, Birmingham 48009.

248.220.4167.

Social Kitchen & Bar: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations, parties of 5 or

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more. Liquor. 225 E. Maple Road, Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.4200.

Stacked Deli: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, Monday-Saturday. Delivery available. No reservations. 233 North Old Woodward, Birmingham, 48009. 248.593.5300.

Steve’s Deli: Deli. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 6646 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield, 48301.

248.932.0800.

Streetside Seafood: Seafood. Lunch, Monday-Friday; Dinner, daily.

Reservations, Lunch only. Liquor. 273 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009.

248.645.9123.

Sushi Hana: Japanese. Lunch, MondayFriday; Dinner, Monday-Saturday.

Reservations. 42656 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.333.3887.

Sy Thai Cafe: Thai. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

No reservations. 315 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009. 248.258.9830.

Tallulah Wine Bar and Bistro: American.

Dinner. Monday-Saturday. Sunday brunch.

Reservations. Liquor. 55 S. Bates Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.731.7066.

The Franklin Grill: American. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 32760 Franklin Rd, Franklin, 48025. 248.865.6600.

The Gallery Restaurant: American.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & wine. 6683 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301.

248.851.0313.

The Moose Preserve Bar & Grill: American.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

Liquor. 2395 S. Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.858.7688.

The Rugby Grille: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

100 Townsend Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.642.5999.

Toast: American. Breakfast & Lunch, daily; Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 203 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.258.6278.

Touch of India: Indian. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

No reservations. 297 E. Maple Road, Birmingham, 48009. 248.593.7881.

Townhouse: American. Brunch, Saturday, Sunday. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 180 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.792.5241.

Triple Nickel Restaurant and Bar: American.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. Liquor. Reservations.

555 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham 48009. 248.480.4951.

Vinotecca: European. Dinner, TuesdaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 210 S. Old Woodard, Birmingham, 48009.

248.203.6600.

Village Coney Island: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

653 S. Adams. Birmingham, 48009.

248.593.7964.

Whistle Stop Diner: American. Breakfast & Lunch, daily; No reservations. 501 S. Eton Street, Birmingham, 48009.

248.566.3566.

Royal Oak/Ferndale Ale Mary's: American. Weekend Brunch.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

Liquor. 316 South Main St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.268.1917.

Anita’s Kitchen: Middle Eastern. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & Wine. 22651 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, 48220. 248.548.0680.

Andiamo Restaurants: Italian. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 129 S. Main St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.582.0999.

Assaggi Bistro: Italian. Lunch, TuesdayFriday. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday.

Reservations. Liquor. 330 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale, 48220. 248.584.3499.

Bigalora: Italian. Weekend Brunch. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. No Reservations. Liquor. 711 S. Main Street, Royal Oak, 48067.

Bistro 82: French. Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 401 S. Lafayette Ave., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.542.0082.

The Blue Nile: Ethiopian. Dinner, TuesdaySunday. Reservations. Liquor. 545 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale, 48220.

248.547.6699.

Bspot Burgers: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 310 S. Main St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.268.1621.

Cafe Muse: French. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday.

Reservations. Liquor. 418 S. Washington Ave., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.544.4749.

Cork Wine Pub: American. Sunday Brunch.

Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 23810 Woodward Ave., Pleasant Ridge, 48069. 248.544.2675.

D’Amato’s: Italian. Sunday Brunch. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor.

222 Sherman Dr., Royal Oak, 48067.

248.584.7400.

Due Venti: Italian. Sunday Brunch. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor.

220 S. Main St., Clawson, 48017.

248.288.0220.

The Fly Trap: Diner. Breakfast & Lunch, daily.

Dinner, Monday-Friday. No reservations. 22950 Woodward Ave., 48220. 248.399.5150.

GreenSpace Cafe: Vegan. Dinner, TuesdaySaturday. No reservations. Liquor. 215. W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale, 48220.

248.206.7510.

Howe’s Bayou: Cajun. Lunch, MondaySaturday. Dinner, daily. No reservations.

Liquor. 22949 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, 48220. 248.691.7145.

Inn Season Cafe: Vegetarian. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday.

No reservations. 500 E. Fourth St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.547.7916.

Inyo Restaurant Lounge: Asian Fusion.

Weekend Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

No reservations. Liquor. 22871 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, 48220. 248.543.9500.

KouZina: Greek. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 121 N. Main St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.629.6500.

Kruse & Muer on Woodward: American.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

28028 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.965.2101.

Lily’s Seafood: Seafood. Weekend Brunch.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

Liquor. 410 S. Washington Ave., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.591.5459.

Local Kitchen and Bar: American. Weekend Brunch. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 344 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale, 48220.

248.291.5650.

Lockhart’s BBQ: Barbeque. Sunday Brunch.

Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. Liquor. 202 E. Third St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.584.4227.

Oak City Grille: American. Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 212 W. 6th St, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.556.0947.

One-Eyed Betty: American. Weekend Breakfast. Dinner, daily. No reservations.

Liquor. 175 W. Troy St., Ferndale, 48220.

248.808.6633.

DOWNTOWN

Pronto!: American. Weekend Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

608 S. Washington Ave., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.544.7900.

Public House: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 241 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale, 48220.

248.850.7420.

Redcoat Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 31542 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak, 48073.

248.549.0300.

Ronin: Japanese. Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 326 W. 4th St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.546.0888.

Royal Oak Brewery: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 215 E. 4th St., Royal Oak, 48067.

248.544.1141.

Strada: Italian. Dinner, Wednesday - Sunday.

Liquor. No reservations. 376 N. Main Street. Royal Oak, 48067.

248.607.3127.

Toast, A Breakfast and Lunch Joint: American. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. 23144 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, 48220. 248.398.0444.

Tom’s Oyster Bar: Seafood. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 318 S. Main St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.541.1186.

Town Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 116 W. Fourth St., Royal Oak, 48067.

248.544.7300.

The Morrie: American. Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 511 S. Main St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.216.1112.

Trattoria Da Luigi: Italian. Dinner, TuesdaySunday. Reservations. Liquor. 415 S, Washington Ave., Royal Oak, 48067.

248.542.4444.

Twisted Tavern: American. Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 22901 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, 48220. 248.545,6750.

Vinsetta Garage: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 27799 Woodward Ave., Berkley, 48072.

248.548.7711.

Troy/Rochester Bspot Burgers: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 176 N. Adams Rd, Rochester Hills, 48309.

248.218.6001.

Capital Grille: Steak & Seafood. Lunch, Monday-Saturday. Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 2800 West Big Beaver Rd., Somerset Collection, Troy, 48084. 248.649.5300.

Cafe Sushi: Pan-Asian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1933 W. Maple Rd, Troy, 48084. 248.280.1831.

Chapman House: French-American. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations recommended. Liquor. 311 Walnut Blvd., Rochester. 48307. 248.759.4406.

CK Diggs: American & Italian. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 2010 W. Auburn Road, Rochester Hills, 48309. 248.853.6600.

O’Connor’s Irish Public House: Irish. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 324 S. Main St., Rochester, 48307.

248.608.2537.

Kona Grille: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 30 E. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, 48083. 248.619.9060.

Kruse & Muer on Main: American. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 327 S. Main St., Rochester, 48307. 248.652.9400.

Lakes: Seafood. Lunch, Monday-Friday.

Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 5500 Crooks Rd., Troy, 48098. 248.646.7900.

McCormick & Schmick’s: Steak & Seafood.

06.18

Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

Somerset Collection, 2850 Coolidge Hwy, Troy, 48084. 248.637.6400.

The Meeting House: American. Weekend Brunch. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. No reservations. Liquor. 301 S. Main St, Rochester, 48307. 248.759.4825.

Miguel’s Cantina: Mexican. Lunch, MondayFriday. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

870 S. Rochester Rd, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.453.5371.

Mon Jin Lau: Asian. Lunch, Monday-Friday.

Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1515 E. Maple Rd, Troy, 48083. 248.689.2332.

Morton’s, The Steakhouse: Steak & Seafood. Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 888 W. Big Beaver Rd, Troy, 48084. 248.404.9845.

NM Café: American. Lunch, MondaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 2705 W. Big Beaver Rd, Troy, 48084.

248.816.3424.

Oceania Inn: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. The Village of Rochester Hills, 3176 Walton Blvd, Rochester Hills, 48309. 248.375.9200.

Ocean Prime: Steak & Seafood. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 2915 Coolidge Hwy., Troy, 48084.

248.458.0500.

Orchid Café: Thai. Lunch, Monday-Friday.

Dinner, daily. Reservations. 3303 Rochester Rd., Troy, 48085.

248.524.1944.

P.F. Chang’s China Bistro: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

Somerset Collection, 2801 W. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, 48084. 248.816.8000.

Recipes: American/Brunch. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 134 W. University Drive, Rochester, 48037.

248.659.8267. Also 2919 Crooks Road, Troy, 48084. 248.614.5390.

Rochester Chop House: Steak & Seafood.

Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 306 S. Main St., Rochester, 48307. 248.651.2266.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House: Steak & Seafood. Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 755 W. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, 48084. 248.269.8424.

Silver Spoon: Italian. Dinner, MondaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 6830 N. Rochester Rd., Rochester, 48306.

248.652.4500.

Steelhouse Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1129 E. Long Lake Rd., Troy, 48085.

248.817.2980.

Too Ra Loo: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

No reservations. Liquor. 139 S. Main St., Rochester, 48307. 248.453.5291.

The Bombay Grille: Indian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. 29200 Orchard Lake Rd, Farmington Hills, 48334.

248.626.2982.

The Fiddler: Russian. Sunday Brunch.

Dinner, Thursday-Sunday. Reservations.

Liquor. 6676 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield Township, 48322.

248.851.8782.

Mene Sushi: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & Wine. 6239 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.538.7081.

Meriwether’s: Seafood. Lunch, MondaySaturday. Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 25485 Telegraph Rd, Southfield, 48034. 248.358.1310.

Pickles & Rye: Deli. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 6724 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.737.3890.

Prime29 Steakhouse: Steak & Seafood.

Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 6545 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield, 48322. 248.737.7463.

Redcoat Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. Liquor.

6745 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.865.0500.

Shangri-La: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. Orchard Mall Shopping Center, 6407 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield Township, 48322.

248.626.8585.

Sposita’s Ristorante: Italian. Friday Lunch.

Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 33210 W. Fourteen Mile Rd., West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248. 538.8954.

Stage Deli: Deli. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 6873 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.855.6622.

Yotsuba: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 7365 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield, 48322.

248.737.8282.

West Oakland Gravity Bar & Grill: Mediterranean. Monday – Friday, Lunch & Dinner, Saturday, Dinner.

Reservations. Liquor. 340 N. Main Street, Milford, 48381. 248.684.4223.

It's A Matter of Taste: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 2323 Union Lake Road, Commerce, 48390.

248.360.4150.

The Root Restaurant & Bar: American.

Lunch & Dinner, Monday - Saturday.

Reservations. Liquor. 340 Town Center Blvd., White Lake, 48390. 248.698.2400.

Volare Ristorante: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 48992 Pontiac Trail, Wixom, 48393. 248.960.7771.

West Bloomfield/Southfield Bacco: Italian. Lunch, Monday-Friday.

Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 29410 Northwestern Highway, Southfield, 48034. 248.356.6600.

Beans and Cornbread: Southern. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 29508 Northwestern Highway, Southfield, 48034.

248.208.1680.

Bigalora: Italian. Weekend Brunch. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. No Reservations. Liquor. 29110 Franklin Road, Southfield, 48034.

Maria’s Restaurant: Italian. Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 2080 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield, 48323.

248.851.2500.

downtownpublications.com

North Oakland Clarkston Union: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 54 S. Main St., Clarkston, 48346. 248.620.6100.

Holly Hotel: American. Afternoon Tea, Monday – Saturday, Brunch, Sunday, Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 110 Battle Alley, Holly, 48442. 248.634.5208.

Kruse's Deer Lake Inn: Seafood. Lunch & dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 7504 Dixie Highway, Clarkston, 48346.

248.795.2077.

Via Bologna: Italian. Dinner daily. No reservations. Liquor. 7071 Dixie Highway, Clarkston. 48346. 248.620.8500.

Union Woodshop: BBQ. Dinner, Monday –

Friday, Lunch & Dinner, Saturday – Sunday.

No reservations. Liquor. 18 S. Main St., Clarkston, 48346. 248.625.5660

Detroit Bucharest Grill: Middle Eastern. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

2684 E. Jefferson, Detroit, 48207.

313.965.3111.

Cliff Bell’s: American. Sunday Brunch.

Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations.

Liquor. 2030 Park Ave., Detroit, 48226.

313.961.2543.

Craft Work: American. Sunday Brunch.

Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 8047 Agnes St., Detroit, 48214.

313.469.0976.

Cuisine: French. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday.

Reservations. Liquor. 670 Lothrop Rd., Detroit, 48202. 313.872.5110.

The Detroit Seafood Market: Seafood.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

1435 Randolph St., Detroit, 48226.

313.962.4180.

El Barzon: Mexican. Lunch, Tuesday-Friday.

Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations.

Liquor. 3710 Junction St., Detroit, 48210.

313.894.2070.

Fishbone’s Rhythm Kitchen Café: Cajun.

Breakfast, daily. Sunday Brunch. Lunch, Monday-Saturday. Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 400 Monroe Street, Detroit, 48226. 313.965.4600.

Giovanni’s Ristorante: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 330 S. Oakwood Blvd., Detroit, 48217. 313.841.0122.

Green Dot Stables: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

2200 W. Lafayette, Detroit, 48216.

313.962.5588.

Jefferson House: American. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 2 Washington Blvd., Detroit, 48226. 313.782.4318.

Joe Muer Seafood: Seafood. Lunch, Monday- Friday, Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 400 Renaissance Center, Detroit, 48243. 313.567.6837.

Johnny Noodle King: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

2601 W. Fort St., Detroit, 48216.

313.309.7946.

Maccabees at Midtown: Eurasian. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday.

Reservations. Liquor. 5057 Woodward Ave., Detroit, 48202. 313.831.9311.

Mario’s: Italian. Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 4222 2nd Ave., Detroit, 48201.

313.832.1616.

Midtown Shangri-la: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 4710 Cass Ave., Detroit, 48201.

313.974.7669.

Motor City Brewing Works: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & Wine. 470 W. Canfield St., Detroit, 48201. 313.832.2700.

1917 American Bistro: American. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday.

Reservations. Liquor. 19416 Livernois Ave., Detroit, 48221. 313.863.1917.

Prism: Steak & Seafood. Dinner, TuesdaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 555 E. Lafayette St, Detroit, 48226.

313.309.2499.

DOWNTOWN

Red Smoke Barbeque: Barbeque. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

Trappers Alley Shopping Center, 573 Monroe Ave., Detroit, 48226.

313.962.2100.

Russell Street Deli: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. 2465 Russell St, Detroit, 48207.

313.567.2900.

Santorini Estiatorio: Greek. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 501 Monroe Ave, Detroit, 48226.

313.962.9366.

Selden Standard: American. Weekend Brunch. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. Liquor. Reservations. 3921 Second Ave., Detroit, 48201. 313.438.5055.

Sinbad’s: Seafood. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 100 St Clair St., Detroit, 48214. 313.822.8000.

Slows Bar BQ: Barbeque. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2138 Michigan Ave, Detroit, 48216.

313.962.9828.

Small Plates Detroit: American. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 1521 Broadway St., Detroit, 48226. 313.963.0702.

St. CeCe’s Pub: American. Sunday Brunch.

Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. Liquor. 1426 Bagley Ave., Detroit, 48216. 313.962.2121.

Tap at MGM Grand: American. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

Liquor. 1777 Third Street, Detroit, 48226.

313.465.1234.

Taqueria Nuestra Familia: Mexican.

Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 7620 Vernor Hwy., Detroit, 48209. 313.842.5668.

The Block: American. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

3919 Woodward Ave, Detroit, 48201.

313.832.0892.

Tom’s Oyster Bar: Seafood. Lunch, MondayFriday. Dinner, Monday-Saturday.

Reservations. Liquor. 519 East Jefferson Ave., Detroit, 48226. 313.964.4010.

Traffic Jam & Snug: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 511 W. Canfield, Detroit, 48201.

313.831.9470.

24grille: American. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit, 1114 Washington Blvd, Detroit, 48226.

313.964.3821.

Union Street: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 4145 Woodward Ave, Detroit, 48201.

313.831.3965.

Vince’s: Italian. Lunch, Tuesday-Friday.

Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations.

Liquor. 1341 Springwells St., Detroit, 48209. 313.842.4857.

Vivio’s Food & Spirits: American. Saturday Breakfast. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2460 Market St., Detroit, 48207. 313.393.1711.

The Whitney: American. Breakfast, Lunch, & High Tea, Monday-Friday. Sunday Brunch.

Dinner, daily. Liquor. Reservations. 4421 Woodward Ave, Detroit, 48201.

313.832.5700.

Wolfgang Puck Pizzeria and Cucina: Italian.

Dinner, Wednesday-Sunday. Reservations.

Liquor. 1777 Third St, Detroit, 48226.

313.465.1646.

Wolfgang Puck Steak: Steak & Seafood.

Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1777 Third St, Detroit, 48226. 313.465.1411.

Wright & Co.: American. Dinner, MondaySaturday. No reservations. Liquor. 1500 Woodward Ave Second Floor, Detroit, 48226. 313.962.7711.

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BUSINESS MATTERS Anniversary, new location The doors will open in July on a new and expanded SHE store in Bloomfield Township, and owner Sharon Eisenshtadt isn’t moving far. Loyal to her Maple and Telegraph customers, she’s staying right in the corridor, moving across Telegraph to the new building behind Starbucks Coffee and and next to Citizen Yoga at 6400 Telegraph Road. The expanded 4,000 square foot space, with high ceilings, cement floors, and a modern and open feel, continues an aesthetic Eisenshtadt first established 10 years ago when she first opened SHE behind stationary store Lee’s Specialty in 2008, and continued with her newly expanded location in Grosse Pointe Village. “We’re thrilled to have reached this milestone of our 10th anniversary, which we look forward to celebrating in our new modern space,” said Eisenshtadt. “It was not only important for us to stay in the Maple/Telegraph corridor but to create a comfortable environment with many stylish details, in which to host events and feature our comprehensive collection of merchandise.” The new SHE will offer expanded collections of contemporary and designer clothing,

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athleisure, shoes, accessories, skin care and fragrance products, artisan and fine jewelry, gifts and more. SHE will also exclusively launch Jonathan Adler’s furniture, lighting and gift collection. “We will continue to bring excitement to shopping in our community through hosting fashion designers from New York and LA, our many ‘shopping for a cause’ events and showcasing exclusive brands,” said Eisenshtadt, who is known for hosting shopping events which benefit numerous charities. In fact, funds raised at her grand opening in September will benefit the Breast Cancer Clinic at University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center.

Sharp looking kids Amanda Schairer loved shopping for her kids at Restyle Child in Birmingham’s Rail District. So when the consignment boutique for children closed up last summer, she knew there was still a demand. “I was a big shopper there, and when they closed last summer, I saw a big need for this kind of shop,” she said. She took the plunge and opened Piccolo Penguin Boutique, 2123 Cole Street, where Schairer offers new and consignment

clothing for children, age newborn to 12 years. “It’s all upscale,” she said.

“We offer some lines,” of new clothes, she said, “and then the resale is all upscale brands and in really good conditions. A lot of the stuff I’m getting in still has the original price tags on it.” When she decided to open, Schairer posted on Facebook, and people have been bringing her their children’s clothes. “It has not been hard to get,” she said. Nor difficult to find shoppers, she said, ideally located next to Born Yoga, down the street from Goldfish Swim School, and near a couple of dance studios. “There’s a lot of family traffic, so as soon as I put my sign out, people were coming in,” the Birmingham resident said.

Haircut and shave Men looking for a great traditional look have a new spot to hang their hat with LevelZ Barbershop, 544 N. Old Woodward in Birmingham. Shamil Maarrogeei first opened Savaya Salon in the location in September 2016, but recently changed the location into a classic men’s barbershop. “We do everything, including straight razor shaves,” said Maarrogeei, a West Bloomfield resident who originally

DOWNTOWN

came from Amsterdam. He said he has been a barber and hairdresser for 30 years, and in addition to having his hairdresser and barber licenses, “I also teach people to be hairdressers,” Maarrogeei said. There are currently three barbers at the LevelZ Birmingham location, as well as a Sterling Heights spot.

New coffee shop Those hankering for a snazzy cup of joe and great baked goods will enjoy visiting High Octane Café & Bakery, 1952 S. Telegraph Road north of Square Lake Road in Bloomfield Township in the Bloomfield Market Place Shopping Center, in a former Biggby Coffee location. Owned by Janice Llewellyn, the menu features nitro coffee, donuts, bagels, breakfast stuffed bagels, breakfast burritos, stuffed pretzel buns, cookies and lots more.

Business Matters for the Birmingham Bloomfield area are reported by Lisa Brody. Send items for consideration to LisaBrody@downtownpublications.com.

Items should be received three weeks prior to publication.

06.18

248-421-2670 nancykarasrealty@gmail.com 4130 Telegraph Road / Bloomfield Hills / MI 48302 / www.nancykaras.maxbroock.com

Selling at all price points | Lakefront & Luxury Estates | Executive Relocation

Contact me to see what your home is worth

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Magnificent lake views and access to Forest Lake and All-Sports Upper Long Lake.

4 bedrooms including a huge master suite with exercise room. Built in 1953 and expanded and remodeled in 1991. Hardwood floors in Great Room with vaulted ceiling and fireplace. Drive-under 2 car garage, plus tandem space for 3rd vehicle, boat or storage. Massive deck across the back and large dock. Cul-de-sac location for quiet and privacy. Bloomfield Hills Schools.

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Birmingham 2 HOMES FOR PRICE OF 1 ON .8 ACRE! Charming with every modern convenience in this tastefully updated French Colonial & Carriage House, to enjoy income of $16,000+ and tax write offs from rental or use for in-laws. Privacy, lush landscaping, terraces, circular drives. High-end kitchen reno w/ 2 refrigerators, open to family room. Hardwood floors, French doors, Ann Sacks tile. Spacious master en suite + 4 more beds & updated baths. 4,134/SF + 1,175/SF carriage house with 2 beds, 1 bath, living rm, laundry (Total 5,309SF) + 162/SF 3 season rm. Birmingham schools.

1.67 acre half island with home 1.25 acre vacant, buildable half island 3 ACRE ISLAND – SUNSET VIEWS 2 parcels, one with home, other buildable on ALL SPORTS LAKE! Over the bridge & down the winding road to your island lakefront! Does not get any better than this with breathtaking views and water wrapping all around this beautiful home with idyllic, private setting, sandy beach. Vaulted ceilings, large deck, screened gazebo. Walled Lake Schools. Entry level 5th bedroom.

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This brick home has .52 AC, 2,159SF with lower level, 4 beds, 2.1 baths. Needs updating but has curb appeal, good bones, vaulted great room with natural fireplace. Great opportunity to make this your dream home. Bloomfield Hills schools!

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THE COMMUNITY HOUSE Summer for Our Children at The Community House “The building blocks of self-esteem are belonging, learning and contributing. Camps offer unique opportunities for children to succeed in these three vital areas, and even beyond home and school.”

Michael Popkin, Ph.D Almost since The Community House was established nearly a century ago, children’s classes, programs and services at The Community House have been at the center of our mission, purpose and vision. Our founders envisioned The Community House to be a place where young people from our community and surrounding region would gather for comraderie, learning and enrichment.

6 BEDROOMS

It would be a safe place for our children to interact with their peers, in a structured environment where children and positive role models would guide them to “make good choices, develop creative skills, build independence, self-reliance, and gain selfconfidence.”

Over the years, The Community House has supplemented our fall, winter and spring children’s classes with a robust selection of summer camps. We believe that summer camps are a place where children get the experiences they need to bolster their range of coping strategies.

Bill Seklar

640 SHIRLEY ROAD | BIRMINGHAM

We have found “that there are the much more complex challenges of getting along with a new group of peers, learning how to ask for help from others, or taking manageable amount of risks, outside of school, and without a parent following after you.” We believe that summer camps are places where children get the experiences they need to bolster their range of coping strategies.

So, it is in that spirit that The Community House is proud to present over 40 summer camps – Summer 2018; half day, full day, morning, afternoon, lunch optional, with before and after-care opportunities. Make sure to visit communityhouse.com to see all of our camp offerings and to register. Hurry! There is limited enrollment!

2018 TCH Summer Camps include:

BEDROOMS

BATHROOMS

SQUARE FEET

MLS NUMBER

PRICE

6

3 Full, 2 Half

4,600

218031485

$1,499,000

Daniel Mahoney Associate Broker

Phone: 810.695.1990 Mobile: 248.631.7707 Email: dan@mahoney.realtor Website: danmahoney.realtor

536 Perry Road, Grand Blanc, MI 48439

All Day Camp – Get away from the TV and smartphone for a week! Your child will enjoy a full day of music, cooking, crafts, and more. Lunch provided!

Ages 7 - 10 • August 6-10 Theatre Camps – Is your child a budding comedian? Do they love to act and sing? Our theatre camps, offered by renown Theatre Directors, Joey Albright & Debbie Tedrick, take place throughout the summer, have something for every interest and age including: Junior Division (Grades 3 -7) Theatre Camps - Beginning or Advanced - Two Weeks, M-F, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., June 18 - 29, July 9 - 20 and July 23 - August 3 ; Senior Division (Grades 7 12) Theatre Camps - Two Weeks, M-F, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., June 18 - 29, July 9 - 20, and July 23 August 3

When was the last time you had that conversation about Life Insurance?

BRICKS Challenge Camps – This camp integrates LEGO® with scientific and mathematical principles in a FUN and Exciting way! Teaching is conducted using customized LEGO® kits with motors, gears and batteries! Education + Entertainment approach. Introducing children to theoretical and practical knowledge in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) M-F, 1p.m.-4 p.m.

Ages 6 - 12 • July 9-13 (Young Engineers) • August 6-10 So You Want to Be a YOUTUBE Star Camp – Have fun filming, acting and producing your own YouTube show. Learn what it takes to be a star and express your personality to the world! In this camp, you will learn how to use basic lighting, editing and sound production. By end of the week you will be a star and we will have a final show for our friends and family celebration. MF, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Ages 10+ • August 6-10 Babysitter Safety Camp – Become a qualified childcare provider by learning basic first-aid, emergency response training, diapering, feeding and more. One of the days during camp, campers will learn how to recognize and perform infant & child CPR with hands-on practice and when and how to use an AED. Upon passing a short test at the end of the week, a certificate of completion will be awarded. M-W, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Ages 11+ • July 23-25

Talk to me today about your life insurance needs.

SOME OF LIFE’S TOUGHEST CONVERSATIONS HAPPEN OVER COFFEE.

Barbara Merten-Dubensky CPCU, Agent 2028 Hazel St. Birmingham, MI 48009 Bus: 248-647-4266 barbara@barbmd.com

When was the last time you had that conversation about Life Insurance? - Talk to me today about your life insurance needs.

Barbara Merten-Dubensky CPCU, Agent 2028 Hazel St. Birmingham, MI 48009 Bus: 248-647-4266 barbara@barbmd.com

OTHER OFFERINGS - BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! CultureTalks 2018 – An intimate lecture series featuring cultural mavericks from Southeast Michigan. Tickets are $15 per lecture or $45 for the series. Tickets are first-come, first-served.

Reserve your tickets now. Seating is very limited. This year’s mavericks include: Elysia Borowy-Reeder, Director, Museum of Contemporary Art – Detroit Wednesday, June 6, 6:30 p.m.; Dan Carmody, President, Eastern Market Corporation Wednesday, June 13, 6:30 p.m.; Steve McBride, Executive Director, Pewabic Pottery Wednesday, June 20, 6:30 p.m.; Richard Rogers, President, College for Creative Studies Wednesday, June 27, 6:30 p.m.

Summer is surely a lively time at The Community House! We also offer many classes, and high quality cultural events for everyone. To request a catalog or register for these and other TCH classes, Summer Camps or events, visit communityhouse.com or call 248.644.5832.

William D. Seklar is President & CEO of The Community House in Birmingham. downtownpublications.com

DOWNTOWN

103

FACES

Melissa Parks eacher and longtime Bloomfield Hills resident Melissa Parks was on vacation in Rhode Island when she happened across a booklet full of beautiful photos of children showcasing each child's unique qualities.

"I couldn't figure it out. They weren't senior portraits, and each was different and had a special quality," said Parks, an art teacher at Detroit Country Day School. "My husband handed me the booklet and it turned out all of them needed adoption. I proceeded to read the stories of their hopes and dreams. When we had time to stop and look and think about it, I cried for each of them. "'Does this mean we are adopting a child from Rhode Island?' my husband asked. I wasn't sure at the time."

While Parks didn't adopt any of the children, the experience inspired her to start a similar version of the booklet for children in Michigan in need of adoption.

"I started investigating it and called the state of Michigan and met with the director in Rhode Island and learned how they did it and pitched it to a friend at a school barbecue," Parks said. "She grabbed my hands and said, 'You were put on earth to do this. Look at the energy of how you're talking.'"

One year after visiting Rhode Island, Parks launched the first version of Art & Soul.

"It launched on the front page of the Detroit Free Press in 2016, the same day as the woman in Rhode Island who started that gallery passed away," Parks said. "That's when I knew that this was bigger than me, and that one person with the right motivation and right passion can make a difference."

The booklets work by connecting with professionally recognized photographers to capture images of the children.

"Statistically, when they reach 11, the likeliness of them being adopted drops drastically, so we feature older children," she said.

"About three percent of them end up not being adopted, and age out of the system. There are 13,000 to 15,000 kids in foster care. It's such a big number that it's hard to wrap our heads around."

In addition to the booklets, Art & Soul maintains a year-long traveling photo exhibit of adoptable children, who typically range from 11 to 17-years-old. The exhibit includes 18 gallery-wrapped 16-inch by 20-inch, canvas photos. Each May, during National Foster Care Awareness month, the organization launches a new exhibit. The current exhibit represents 19 children (two sibling groups) as well as two forever families. In all cases, photos are taken by award-winning local and nationally-recognized Detroit area photographers.

"We discovered that children who attend the events, they see hope and they feel they have been seen and valued," Parks said.

"Imagine you don't have a parent. Just to wrap your head around that is a challenge. Then you think that they are so resilient. They have hopes and dreams, and they are able to move forward."

The hope, Parks said, is that those who see the exhibit and take a booklet will eventually be moved to action. The trick, she said, is walking a fine line between celebrating who the children are and eliciting feelings from potential parents without feeling like the children are being exploited.

"There's a fine line we have to check in with ourselves to make sure we are authentically helping the community to see their true self as individuals, not because of their circumstances, but in spite of them," she said.

T

Story: Kevin Elliott

Photo: Laurie Tennent

A Luxury Experience at all prices

”

You far exceeded our expectations of a real estate professional, from our initial meeting and every step of the way through closing. Your suggestions for price and promotion were right on the mark. Your grasp of the market, attention to detail and follow through went above and beyond.

– Seller, Bloomfield

”

Nanci J. Rands

Meredith Colburn

Associate Broker

Associate Broker

248.701.9000 nanci@nancirands.com

www.RandsColburn.com

248.762.5319 meredith@meredithcolburn.com

442 South Old Woodward Avenue in Birmingham

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ST ED LI JU ST CITY OF BLOOMFIELD HILLS 730 Falmouth Drive | $1,438,000

FRANKLIN VILLAGE 30542 Hickory Lane | $1,800,000

Understated elegance. Ranch style home with walkout lower level on an elevated, private acre site near Cranbrook. Great floor plan and living spaces. Newly remodeled baths. Professional bar, wine cellar & tasting room. 4-car garage.

Elegant, expansive mid-century ranch on 10 wooded acres of landscaped gardens.

Living & dining areas offer panoramic views of serene pool & grounds. Updated kitchen & atrium breakfast room. Incredible master suite. Indoor lap pool. Guest house.

Nanci J. Rands and Meredith Colburn

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BLOOMFIELD VILLAGE 3380 Morningview Terrace | $1,025,000

Beautifully updated Colonial with tremendous curb appeal and exquisitely landscaped grounds. Open-concept kitchen adjacent to family room & 3-seasons sun porch. Exceptional master suite addition. 2nd floor laundry. 3-car garage.

Classic Colonial with updated façade & superb “Down to the Studs” 2005 renovation & additions. Spacious L-shaped family room overlooking lawn & gardens. Well-appointed island kitchen. Luxurious master suite. Finished egress LL.

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BLOOMFIELD HILLS 3781 Shellmar Lane | $745,000

CITY OF BLOOMFIELD HILLS 151 Manorwood Drive | $879,000

BLOOMFIELD HILLS 4584 Private Lake Court | $634,900

Outstanding California contemporary on landscaped, private acre site. An entertainer’s dream! First floor master with Travertine bath. Fully finished walkout lower level with theater, bar & rec area. Tons of storage. 3-car garage.

Immaculate contemporary ranch on 1/2 acre, private site. Interiors by awardwinning local designer. Open and airy design. Sophisticated living spaces. 1st floor master with luxurious bath. 3-car garage. Generator. Co-listed with Jessica Weisman

BLOOMFIELD HILLS 5330 Woodlands Estates Dr. S | $1,698,000

SYLVAN LAKE 2714 Island Court | $1,395,000

Tobocman gem in gated setting! Fabulous living room & dining room. First floor has luxurious master suite plus 2 large bedrooms. Walkout lower level with theatre, family room, fitness, bedroom & 2 baths. Gilbert Lake privileges.

Exquisite lakefront contemporary. Highly sought-after site with 209’ of both lake and canal frontage. Expansive open floor plan. Panoramic water views through walls of glass. Owner’s suite has 2 full baths. Sleek entertainer’s kitchen.

SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK Here is the update on the recent social scene. Many more photos from each event appear online each week at downtownpublications.com where readers can sign up for an e-mail notice when the latest social scene column is posted. Past columns and photos are also archived at the website for Downtown.

Junior League of Birmingham Little Black Dress Brunch

Sally Gerak

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Junior League of Birmingham Little Black Dress Brunch The Little Black Dress Initiative, started by the Junior League of London to acknowledge the fashion item that liberated women from corseted dressing, was embraced by the Birmingham league at its second LBD Brunch chaired by April Allard. It attracted 120 to The Community House for Saturday morning networking, shopping at Dee Wright Masilotti’s boutique filled with India Hicks accessories, and several notable presentations.

President Noelle Schiffer recalled how her vintage DVF dress boosted her confidence years ago in Paris. Past president Susan Foley compellingly shared examples of the fantastic return on investment her 30 year-JLB history has had on her career.

Lighthouse PATH’s Liz McLachlan saluted JLB as a founder of the life-changing agency. And former client Shannon Smith, now a PATH staff member, got a standing ovation when she finished her personal, moving story of survival. The event raised $5,000 for JLB’s community improvement and volunteer training programs.

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1. Susan Foley (left) and Noelle Schiffer of Birmingham, Martha Johnson of Troy. 2. April Allard (left) and Kaitlin Dowler of Beverly Hills. 3. Devon Cook (left) of Bloomfield, Laura Tomlinson of Beverly Hills, Anne Necha of Ferndale, Nikki Bradford of Birmingham. 4. Melanie Esland of Northville, Karen Cresap of Bloomfield. 5. Dee Wright Masilotti (left) of Birmingham and Bonnie Nosanchuk of Royal Oak.

Bloomfield Hills Schools Foundation Magic of BHS

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1. Christine Tang (left) of Bloomfield, Cathie Badalamenti of Birmingham. 2. Mary Ellen Miller (center) of Troy, Sue Nine (left) and Jan Roncelli of Bloomfield. 3. Richard & Anna Stewart of Rochester. 4. Chris (left) & Megan Flynn Johnston of W. Bloomfield, Betsy & Jason Rubel of Bloomfield. 5. Joachim (left) & Julie Wekennemm and Tim & Michelle Sacka of Bloomfield.

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Bloomfield Hills Schools Foundation Magic of BHS The annual schools foundation benefit party attracted 180 advocates ($250, $125 tickets) to Wabeek Country Club to raise money for enrichment programs not in the regular budget. Predinner diversions included socializing in the grill room as the BHHS Chamber Orchestra made music, bidding in the silent auction, the wine pull and grub grab ($5,000) and checking out the displays of student projects. The program following the buffet dinner had highlights: a reunion performance by Jills alumnae directed by Bruce Snyder and accented with a video of charming photos from the singing bell ringers’ high school days; a terrific Where Are They Now? video featuring alums like Lawrence Bacow, who went from president of the National Honor Society to be the 29th president of Harvard and Chad Smith who went from the high school marching band to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as the Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer; and riveting remarks by Christine Tang, who not only attended BHS for 12 years and taught there but is now a BHS parent. “I had so much fun at school I forgot I was learning,” she declared enthusiastically. A live auction and directed giving ($20,000-plus) brought the event total to $80,000.

Charlotte’s Wings Gala Benefit Charlotte’s Wings endeavors to help children and their families cope with the challenges of health crises by giving them new books. It was founded in 2008 to memorialize the short life of a beloved 5-month old child named Charlotte who had a rare, incurable brain disease. Since the inception of the all-volunteer non-profit, CW has donated over 87,000 books to its hospital partners throughout Michigan. Its 11th event to raise funds brought 463 ($100 ticket) to the Royal Park Hotel. The dinner program was highlighted by presenting the 2018 Rose Award for extraordinary service to Karen Holt and by Samantha Kopacz’s recollection of reading a CW-donated book to her newborn twins in the Beaumont NICU. After dinner, the live auction ($19,300) and dedicated giving ($30,000), many guests retreated to the March Madness lounge to eat pizza and watch Michigan beat FSU in the NCAA tourney. Thanks also to the silent auction and 06.18

sponsors, the annual benefit netted $104,000.

United Way Anniversary Gala Nearly 500 party goers ($250ticket) gathered at City Airport to celebrate The Power of One – that is 100-plus1 years of combining resources to strengthen the community. Lounge seating, stages and dramatic lighting accented the terminal. Before the program, acrobats from Detroit Circus and violinists from Jordan Broder’s NUCLASSICA provided diversion while guests bought raffle tickets, bantered and imbibed. Forte Belanger staffers passed hors d’oeuvres and some guests trekked to the food stations. Remarks by board chair Mark Petroff and event co-chair Bill Ford recalled the organization’s origins as the Torch Drive and the membership growth in UW’s Alex de Tocqueville Society ($10,000 per year minimum donation) which Bill and Lisa Ford chair. Auctioneer Jason Lamoreaux then conducted a brief live auction that garnered $27,400 and a paddle raise that brought in nearly $170,000. Combined with a match by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and sponsorships, the celebration raised some $1.2 million for UW’s third grade reading initiative. A performance by British Grammy winner Corinne Bailey Rae and dancing to DJ Prevu’s music concluded the festivities.

Alternatives For Girls Role Model Dinner The Rise Up, City Rose theme with its E.E. Cummings quote – “It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are” – were splendid accents for the annual fundraiser spotlighting aspirations and accomplishments. The annual event, chaired by past role model honorees Faye Nelson and Pam Rodgers, attracted 380 to Cobo Center for networking, silent auction bidding ($15,849), dinner and a four-item, live auction ($10,450). But the highlights of the evening were in the messages of four AFG participants. Recently homeless Kaye Lynn Fields’ declared, “Alternatives For Girls saved my life.” Sierra Bentley said she wanted to get a PhD in astronomy.

Eboni Edwards mentioned she has been accepted by six colleges while working two jobs. Leah Perry that she has learned, “...if you want something, don’t be afraid to ask for help.” Together with remarks by downtownpublications.com

Charlotte’s Wings Gala Benefit

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1. Rose Awardee Karen Holt of Rochester. 2. Jennifer & Jason Buck of Rochester. 3. Jennifer Buck (left) of Rochester, Samantha Kopacz of Bloomfield, Joanne Tarling and Janelle Napolitano of Rochester. 4. Jennifer French and Sharon Bosley of Rochester. 5. Brooke French (left), Sam Tarling, Nina Kusterer, Will Buck, Katelyn Sliwinski, Brendan Holt and Nick Napolitano of Rochester. Photo by Kristen Scott Photography

United Way Anniversary Gala

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1. Mary Sellers (left) of Des Moines, IA, Dave Bing of Franklin, Mark Petroff of Northville, Darienne Driver of Milwaukee, WI. 2. Elyse & David Foltyn of Birmingham. 3. Ken (left) & Kimberly Whipple and Dr. Michale DeGregorio of Bloomfield. 4. Greg (left) & Lori Wingerter with Lynn & Shawn Davis of Rochester. 5. Monica Martinez (left) of Madison heights, Brad Simmons of Birmingham, Madhu & Jana Reddiboina of Troy.

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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK Alternatives For Girls Role Model Dinner

honorees Alicia Boler Davis, Monica Martinez and Deborah Labelle, they inspired nearly $50,000 in Fund the Mission pledges. Thanks also to sponsorships, the 27th annual event raised $287,145 for AFG’s remarkably successful shelter, transition, prevention and outreach programs.

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1. Carone (left) and Sierna Dutz of Bloomfield, Rylie and Natalie Fons of Berkley. 2. Shirley Maddalena (left) of Detroit, Erica Peresman of Birmingham. 3. Deborah LaBelle (left) of Ann Arbor, Meg Van Meter of Birmingham. 4. Kaye-Lynn Fields (left) and Leah Perry of Detroit, Sierra Bentley of St. Clair Shores. 5. Sheree Calhoun (left), Kim DeGuillio and Robin Gamble of Detroit, Rhonda Walker.

Michigan Humane Society Brunch

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1. David & Peggy Meador of Bloomfield. 2. Becky Hanel of Royal Oak, Patti Sharf of Bloomfield, Anne Barnes of Rochester Hills. 3. Matt Pepper of W. Bloomfield, Connie Hogan of Bloomfield. 4. Pam Dybowski (left) of Rochester Hills and Mark Ramos of Royal Oak, Charlene Handleman of Bloomfield. 5. Cindy (left) & Joe Grove of Bloomfield, Garret Bondy of Brighton, Bart & Janet deBrow of Birmingham.

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Girl Scouts Cookie Gala Seven chefs used Girl Scout cookies as the main ingredient in recipes sampled by 350 guests ($100 tickets) who gathered in the MGM Grand ballroom for the 16th annual Cookie Gala. They also bid for goodies in a silent auction as well as a live auction conducted by Gregory Bator after top cookie-seller Kylia Welch spoke about all she has learned in scouting. The 10-year-old Detroit scout made a compelling pitch for scouting and for people to support the council’s initiative for underprivileged girls in southeast Michigan by bidding in the live auction. The $12,000 it raised, plus generous sponsors, brought the event total to nearly $130,000 to support the more than 24,000 girls and adult volunteers served by the Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan (GSSEM).

Friends of Rochester Hills Library benefit A record crowd of 300-plus people ($55, $65 tickets) gathered at the Rochester Hills Library for the Friends’ 5th annual Wine, Wit and Wisdom fundraiser chaired by Theresa Meegan. In addition to a strolling dinner and silent auction they could choose two presentations from five offered. The speakers were U-M professor / linguist Anne Curzon, Mackinac Bridge Authority chief engineer Kim Nowack, Michigan lighthouse expert John Wagner, motorsports aficionado and longtime Audi executive Marc Trahan and entomologist and beekeeper at the Michigan State University Extension Abi Saeed. Top draw in the auction was a gourmet dinner for eight prepared by library director Christine Hage. It helped the event gross more than $17,000 to augment the library’s government budget.

Michigan Humane Society Brunch The 29th annual Purrfect Bow Wow Brunch attracted almost 600 supporters to the MGM Grand ballroom. Before dining, diversions included conversation – board member Charlene Handleman was pleased to hear from MHS’s Pam 06.18

Dybowski that the wounded horned owl Pam had recently rescued from the Handleman driveway was recovering; bidding in the silent auction of more than 100 items; getting acquainted with 32 adoptable puppies and kitties (18 were adopted); making donations ($20,000) to get four animal advocates out of the doghouse. These were MHS CEO Matt Pepper, Mike Palmer, Nicolette Romans-LeBlanc and Dr. Joel Kahn.

During the program the inaugural Humane Hero award was presented to Tom Mackey for his decades of support and guests donated $85,000 to the Special Ask conducted by auctioneer Jason Lamoreaux. During the live auction of 10 items the high bids (2 of $15,000) went for breakfast with the giraffes at the zoo and a pet photo for the MHS calendar cover.

Thanks also to generous sponsors, the annual event fetched more than $450,000 for the Michigan Humane Society.

Ted Lindsay Foundation Wine Tasting More than 275 ($125 ticket) gathered at the San Marino Club for the Ted Lindsay Foundation annual charity wine event. Guests perused a silent auction, dined on the stroll (great chow), bantered and imbibed.

As per usual, celebrities poured the wine which was generously provided

by Jean Jacaques Fertal, Ted Wilson II and Sonja Magdevski. But the big story was announced after a brief live auction ($3,500) when Oakland University’s Jon MargerumLeys announced that foundation founder Ted Lindsay has been awarded an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree. Director of OU Cares Kristin Rohrbeck then praised the Lindsay Foundation’s support of her program’s outreach services to 2,300 families impacted by autism.

The TLF makes two $3,000 Courage Awards at its annual Golf Outing which is Sept. 10 at the Detroit Golf club.

Impact 100 Oakland County More than 100 members of the non-profit based on the power of collective philanthropy convened at Dorothy Barak’s Specialty Showrooms to learn how many dollars they have to give away in 2018. Before the number was revealed, they chatted, sipped, supped and heard updates from the 2017 grant downtownpublications.com

Ted Lindsay Foundation Wine Tasting

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2. Sonya Maja Magdevski of Santa Barbara, CA, Jean-Jacques and Helene Fertal of Rochester Hills. 3. Jon Margerum-Leys (left) of Lake Orion, Lew Lapaugh of Rochester Hills. 4. Diane Vick (left), Terri & Steve Eick and Dave Provost of Birmingham. 5. Trevor Thompson (left) of Troy and Frank Beckmann of Rochester Hills.

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Impact 100 Oakland County

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1. Cindy Luce (left) of Bloomfield and Dorothy Barak and Lisa Schwartz of W. Bloomfield. 2. Michelle Mersereau (left) of Birmingham and Erin Flynn of Plymouth. 3. Marcie Klucznik (left) of Birmingham, Beverly Hubers of Troy. 4. Samantha Amezeua (left) of Bloomfield and Debra Wallace of Birmingham. 5. Katie Sullivan (left) of Birmingham and Heather Lorincz and Julie Oddo of Bloomfield.

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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK Daffodils4Detroit Luncheon

recipients – Beyond Basics’ Pam Good and CARE House’s Tricia Schuster. Then, with appropriate drama, president Mary Pat Rosen revealed that 270 women have each donated $1,000 to fund charitable endeavors in Oakland County. This means that three grants of $90,000 each will be awarded in the fall.

Daffodils4Detroit Luncheon More than 350 garden lovers ($36 & $45 tickets) gathered at the Detroit Yacht Club for the annual Daffodil Day luncheon chaired by Robin Heller.

The event, which was started 10 years ago by the Bloomfield Hills branch of the Women’s National Farm & Garden Association, is now presented by the Michigan Division WNFGA. This year, more than 20 clubs were represented.

They came to hear keynote speaker Lynden Miller, America’s foremost public garden designer who spearheaded The Daffodil Project in New York City after 9/11. Miller’s presentation at the first Detroit luncheon inspired the Daffodils4Detroit project. To date, it has planted more than 500,000 daffodil bulbs on Belle Isle, another 50,000 on E. Grand Blvd. approaching Belle Isle, and 200,000 more among the streets and neighborhood parks in Detroit. State of Michigan DNR Chief of Parks and Recreation Ron Olson also gave an update on Belle Isle infrastructure and program improvements. The luncheon raised more than $15,000 for Daffodils4Detroit, which estimates a rate of five bulbs-per-dollar-raised.

1 1. Cecily O’Connor (left), Lynn Ferron, Lynn Stinson and JoAnne Brodie; Maureen D’Avanzo. 2. Lynden Miller (left) of NYC, Cecily O’Connor of Bloomfield. 3. Karen Caserio (left), Debbie Erb and Bobbi Polk of Bloomfield. (Photos by Lynn Stinson).

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Grace Centers of Hope Fashion Luncheon

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1. Shannon Lazovski (center) of Rochester, David Harmon (left) of Clarkston. Mark Somerville of Novi. 2. Kim Wehner (left) of Lake Orion, Kristin Olmedo of Rochester. 3. Francesa Moceri (left) of Birmingham, Frances Moceri of Oakland Twp. 4. Anna Scripps (left), Deborah Moceri and Maria Moceri of Oakland Twp. 5. Peggy Gamble (left) of Rochester Hills, Lynn Oates and Kathy Rewold of Rochester.

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Grace Centers of Hope Fashion Luncheon The 20th annual Women Helping Women benefit chaired by Shannon Lazovski attracted 540 ($100 ticket) to the Royal Park Hotel for silent auction bidding, ($32,425) raffle drawings ($7,890) and inspirational remarks by Pastor Kent and Dr. Pam Clark during the luncheon program emceed by WXYZ’s Ann Marie LaFlamme.

Other highlights included two videos.

One featured dramatic stories by GCH graduates; the other featured GCH residents and Luigi Bruni, who has happily done their pre-runway makeovers for 14 years. Cheryl Hall Lindsay’s trademark narration of the fashion show – made it memorable.

Thanks also to generous sponsors, the milestone anniversary event grossed $176,973 to impact the lives of 06.18

vulnerable women seeking faithbased hope and healing sans government funding.

Roeper Scholarship Dinner Nearly all of the 175 Roeper School loyalists ($75 ticket) who attended the Marian Hoag Scholarship Dinner began the evening at the Prelude gathering hosted by David and Elane Feldman in the Butterfly House at the Detroit Zoo. Diversions included learning which dinner party in a private home each would attend, sipping champagne, checking out the butterflies and bidding on the 27 artistic class projects displayed in a silent auction on the balcony. But the program provided the notable memories. Roeper alum parent Amy Good’s dramatic, personal testimony to the importance of the school’s financial assistance was followed by her daughter Amy Fink’s description of her formative Roeper memories and their influence on her life as a junior high science teacher since graduating from Harvard. They both earned a standing ovation and inspired very spirited donating (more than $35,000) during the Paddle Raise conducted by Mike Maltase. Thanks also to sponsors and one live auction donation from Olympic Gold Medalist Charlie White ’05, the evening raised more than $80,000 for financial aid at the school.

Detroit Zoological Society More than 120 guests attended DZS’s second annual Wildlife Conservation Gala. They relished cocktails and hors d’oeuvres followed by a sit-down dinner in the iconic Wildlife Interpretive Gallery at the Detroit Zoo. Themed “Standing up to Extinction,” the event included a multi-media presentation highlighting the DZS’s worldwide work to save species from extinction.

The event highlight was the presentation of the Nautilus Award to the Holtzman Wildlife Foundation, whose tenacious energy, focus, passion and generosity is helping conserve wildlife around the world.

The evening netted more than $69,000 for the Detroit Zoological Society’s wildlife conservation programs. The next DZS fundraiser is the wildly popular Sunset at the Zoo Friday, June 8.

Send ideas for this column to Sally Gerak, 28 Barbour Lane, Bloomfield Hills, 48304; email samgerak@aol.com or call 248.646.6390. downtownpublications.com

Roeper Scholarship Dinner

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1. Amy Good of Detroit, Ann Finkel of Boston, MA. 2. Orlando (left) & Veronne Bustos of Bloomfield, David Feldman of Royal Oak, Donna Silk of Birmingham. 3. Lori (left) & Ryan Talbott of Rochester, Grant Krywolt & Susheilla Mehta of Troy. 4. David & Sharon White of Rochester Hills.

5. Lance Gable (left) of Detroit, Heather & Scott Cameron of Birmingham.

Detroit Zoological Society

1 1. Lloyd Semple (left) of Grosse Pointe, Stephen Polk of Bloomfield, Mark Neithercut of Traverse City, Ryan Polk of Bloomfield. Photos by Jennie Miller.

2. Jonathan Holtzman (left) of Orchard Lake, Ron Kagan of Royal Oak. 3. Laura & Mark Zausmer of W. Bloomfield.

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ENDNOTE

Regional approach needed on water quality or decades, officials in Macomb County have pointed their fingers at Oakland County communities upstream of the Clinton River as the culprits for their poor water quality and beach closings in Lake St. Clair, despite hundreds of millions of dollars spent in recent years to address sewer system overflows.

The accusations are reminiscent of many of the disagreements between Oakland County and its neighboring counties to the east: Oakland County's affluent communities are benefitting at the cost of their neighbors. In this case, it's effluent, Macomb County officials say, that is being routed to the Clinton River and Lake St. Clair from Oakland County's sewer system.

Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Candice Miller has likened the situation to Oakland County dumping sewage on the heads of Macomb County residents. While we won't lambast Miller for hyperbole, we will take the opportunity to point out the work that Oakland County, with the assistance of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), has done to address water quality in relation to overflows.

Most recently, the American Council of Engineering Companies awarded the county for its Oakland-Macomb Interceptor Drainage District Repair Project, a $170 million project that rehabilitated a failing sewer system serving 800,000 residents in Oakland and Macomb counties. Millions have also been put into retention treatment basins in Oakland County to ensure that wastewater receives some treatment before it's released into tributaries during heavy rain events. That treatment involves screening,

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filtering and disinfecting sewer and rainwater that gets flushed into the combined sewage systems in more than a dozen Oakland County communities.

The DEQ, for their part, has confirmed that all releases – which total more than a billion gallons each year – receive treatment before being released into the Red Run Drain (a tributary of the Clinton River) or the Rouge River.

That work has been further confirmed by watershed management groups which have specifically noted water quality increases directly downstream from the discharge locations.

Still, facts have a strange way of being ignored when faced with long held beliefs that someone has done you wrong. It's also worth noting that Macomb County has its own issues to address when it comes to combined sewer overflows and stormwater pollution, such as the 10 Mile Drain, a federal superfund site in St. Clair Shores where PCBs and other contaminants have entered Lake St. Clair through stormwater basins for several years.

No doubt, there is enough blame to go around and there's evidence for pointing fingers on both sides when it comes to water quality pollution. However, there are few more realistic solutions.

One of the most obvious answers – and most expensive – that has been proposed is to force Oakland County communities operating with combined sewer systems to upgrade to separate sanitary systems, which run stormwater and sewage through separate lines. While possibly good in theory, such an upgrade would cost anywhere from $1.5 billion to over $2 billion,

according to engineers. Further, such systems may pose problems for surface waters, as runoff from stormwater is sent directly to local lakes, rivers and streams without any treatment. Such a fix is more of a pipe dream than a reality, considering the cost associated with maintaining the current system.

Other solutions suggested include implementing more green infrastructure to slow the flow of water into the system, and pushing the DEQ to increase water quality standards beyond the current requirements. While we have yet to see evidence that increased water quality standards alone would address the issue, such suggestions are reasonable. However, we believe such solutions are best if undertaken in a regional effort.

For too many decades we have witnessed officials in Oakland County spar with those in Wayne County on economic issues. While the county's relationship with Macomb County has traditionally been more cooperative, officials who talk about sewage and water pollution issues are quick to blame their neighbors for their problems, with few results.

While political games are expected, all officials would be wise to remember that water flowing downstream returns to where it came in the form of drinking water. In other words, with the majority of Oakland County receiving drinking water from the Detroit River or Lake Huron, we all have reason be concerned about contamination being sent downstream. Despite being in separate counties with different sewage systems, we all rely on the same water cycle and systems – a fact both politicians and residents shouldn't ignore.

Welcoming hotels to city’s downtown mix irmingham, like many cities in the midst of a growth spurt, has both proponents of its development, who are excited to see new opportunities to live, shop and work in their city, and opponents, who resent the growth for the congestion it brings, parking difficulties and the changes to known entities.

But the opposite of development is stagnation.

Other opponents see any competition as a threat, and that is not healthy in a thriving marketplace – nor is it productive for the business itself. Birmingham has experienced just this confluence of situations recently, as a new luxury boutique hotel, The Daxton, is poised to break ground at 298 S. Old Woodward at the corner of Brown.

The owners, architects and operators of The Daxton, who followed all city procedures, received final site plan approvals from the Birmingham Planning Board in August 2017, despite efforts by some residents and The

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Townsend Hotel to complain that there would be too much congestion in Birmingham, and the new hotel would tax the city's parking. Planning board members disagreed, noting the new hotel met all of the city's ordinance requirements – even exceeding them by adding two floors of underground parking, providing 56 parking spots rather than the prescribed 22 spots – as well as activating a slower part of downtown.

Recently, city commissioners made the decision to add hotels, along with theaters, to the city's liquor license zoning ordinance. They made it clear, repeatedly, that their decision was for the betterment of the city as a whole, and not for one property. We agree with their reflection to send the ordinance back for possible amending to the planning board to reconsider size of hotels as well as zoning locations, because a decision to only consider hotels with 100 rooms or more rules out the possibility of more intimate high-end luxury boutique hotels with perhaps 65 to 80 rooms,

which could be an ideal fit for Birmingham, drawing in not only millennials, but baby boomers as well. It also could allow the city's Holiday Inn on Woodward, with just 64 rooms, the economic incentive to enhance and become a greater asset for the city. Locations on Woodward, and in the Triangle District, should also be given consideration.

Birmingham has a long history of not doing spot zoning, which has proven to be an excellent policy, and why developers of all sizes, stripes and economic weight have not prevailed over the years when their proposals have not fit development or master plan edicts of the city.

But neither should businesses who want to safeguard their assets at the expense of improvement by thwarting the competition be permitted free rein with inaccurate smear campaigns. Just as Birmingham is home to numerous jewelers, hair salons, restaurants and other retailers, so should there be a vibrant marketplace for quality hotels.

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A Touch of Lace 4036 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48302 (Located at the Southwest Corner of Long Lake Road & Telegraph Road) Phone: 248-645-5223 | Fax: 248-645-5227 Email: Sales@atouchoflace.net | www.atouchoflace.com Monday - Friday 10:00am to 5:00pm Evenings and Weekends available upon request