Blossom Heath Pier Extension

BLOSSOM

HEATH PIERextension

BY ANNA SWARTZ

Bringing More of Lake St. Clair to You

St. Clair Shores Mayor Kip Walby sees the extension of the Blossom Heath pier as the solution to a problem.

“One of the complaints that we’ve gotten over the years is that we don’t have enough views of the water,” said Walby. “A lot of people don't have boats and access to the water.” The panoramic views, ability for better fishing and serenity for those who like to read or paint – these are just some of the experiences the pier will deliver to residents, Walby says. He believes the upgrade will enhance residents’ view of the city and access to the lake.

“It will create...a destination. You don’t always have to go to a restaurant. You get an ice cream and head over to the pier...Everyone loves water.”

The extension of the Blossom Heath Pier – 390 feet to be exact – into Lake St. Clair will likely be complete no later than September, according to Chris Rayes, ARPA / Special Projects Manager. The timeline began with a discussion in the summer of 2018, awarding the work to EC Korneffel in June 2021, with the project officially starting in September 2021. Rayes said that despite some delays, they’ve been trying to keep the project moving quickly.

“It’s not just for residents,” Rayes says. “It’s also a draw to bring people to St. Clair Shores.” While Blossom Heath Park requires a resident pass, the pier has always been – and will continue to be – open to the public.

The pier extension is primarily being funded by the Tax Increment Finance Authority with additional funds provided by the city of St. Clair Shores.

Improvements don’t stop at the pier extension for Blossom Heath. Residents will enjoy new landscaping to the existing pier, new asphalt for the parking lot and a new dinosaur-themed playground within the residents-only Blossom Heath Park. Residents can also sponsor tables, benches and bike racks – contact SCS Parks and Recreation for more information at (586) 445-5350.

While a water taxi is shown in some of the rendering drawings, Rayes said there isn’t an agreement with a service vendor at this time. However, the pier is designed so that it can accommodate larger boats in the future.

“IT’S NOT JUST FOR RESIDENTS. IT’S ALSO A DRAW TO BRING PEOPLE TO ST. CLAIR SHORES.” - CHRIS RAYES

Parks and Recreation Director Henry Bowman sees the new, extended pier as a space for new opportunities, such as a place for live music. But another idea has Bowman even more excited: “I want to teach every kid how to fish.” He is picturing the pier as the perfect place for fishing derbies, with the potential for sponsors or guard shacks providing equipment for kids. Bowman grew up in St. Clair Shores and recalls bike rides with his neighbor to the Nautical Mile almost every day during the summer to fish. He wants to pass on that same joy he felt as a teen. “Living and growing up in St. Clair Shores, everyone needs to know how to fish,” says Bowman. He hopes to work with Michigan State University’s program, Project F.I.S.H., an educational program for youth and families. Bowman envisions an adult group learning everything they need to know about fishing, then passing on their knowledge to children. “You’ve got Nautical Mile, Blossom Heath, 9 Mile Fishing Pier, Lac St. Clair, Veterans Park. These are great places for people to learn how to fish.”

Renderings of the Blossom Heath Pier project Courtesy of Chris Rayes

city revamps

PLAYGROUNDS, PARKS ONE BY ONE

BY ANNA SWARTZ

When determining how to overhaul the playgrounds throughout an entire city, the Playground Committee knew just what expert to ask – a 7-year-old. Parker Frederick, the grandson of St. Clair Shores City Council Member Ron Frederick, was more than happy to visit playgrounds with his grandfather and the two other members of the committee, Parks and Recreation Director Henry Bowman and Council Member Candice Rusie. Ron Frederick jokingly referred to his grandson, who is now 11, as “a one-person focus group.” They visited other cities and county parks, including the one at Lake St. Clair Metropark, all the while taking copious notes. This process began in the winter of 2019, before Rusie’s 22-month-old nephew Logan Rudzinski was born. He is another child who provides inspiration for what Rusie describes as her most rewarding project during her 12 years on city council. “I think about, what is he into? [It’s about] trying to see the world through a little kid’s eyes. It’s not always the same as what an adult would find appealing.” According to Rusie, some of the equipment being replaced has been played on for two to three generations. Upgrades to play structures, almost all with a distinct theme, are bringing new life to each park, one by one. “Every park is being looked at,” Frederick said. “We are looking at every aspect that we can.” In some instances, equipment is showing up in spaces that previously did not have a play structure – such as the hockeythemed play-scape at Civic Ice Arena. It provides the perfect diversion for children waiting for siblings to finish practice. “I would look across the parking lot from the Community Garden [behind Civic Arena] and see kids playing at the structure,” Rusie said. “It was just such an incredible feeling. You see the smiles; you hear the laughter.” Changes to parks are not limited to just play structures – improvements range from refurbished seawalls to upgrading walking trails and athletic fields. Here is a list of the city’s parks and what is happening at each: • Alexander: Frederick said the committee is “still evaluating what will work there.” The park currently has playground equipment, picnic tables, barbecues, a lakefront view and fishing area. • Blackburn: This is a pocket park with benches. • Blossom Heath: New seawalls and wells were installed.

The pier extension project will be completed no later than September and a dinosaur-themed playground with ADA accessible components is coming this summer. • Civic Ice Arena: A new hockey-themed play-scape has already been put in place, with six pickleball courts coming this summer. • Champine:This small pocket park boasts a magnificent view of the lake. The seawall will hopefully be refurbished this summer. • Frederick:This park boasts a new animal-themed park plus the addition of two new soccer fields and an ADA compliant walking track. • Fresard: This is a small pocket park in front of Stroh’s ice cream shop with benches and bike racks, plus the city’s new scooters can be picked up there. • Gaffke: This was the first park to receive a new playground; it has a firefighter's theme.

• Herman Brys Park: New playground equipment with ADA accessible components will be installed in the next year or so. Ballfield surfaces will be improved after this year’s baseball season is done, and a new arboretum in the northwest corner should be complete by the end of spring. • Kaufman: The city is working to keep a combination of some existing play elements and adding others, while also improving the baseball/soccer field this summer or fall. • Kyte Monroe: The park will receive new playground equipment in the next year or so, with ADA accessible components. • Lac Sainte Clair: Children are enjoying a new pirate ship playground, and future plans include a new slide and kiddie pool amenities (no official timeline yet). • Statler Maloof: This dog park is located inside Herman Brys Park, and a lot of work has been done to make sure it’s “up to par for the pooches” according to Frederick. • Veterans Memorial: A freighter play structure with ADA accessible components is coming this summer, while an updated splash pad and adult exercise equipment (donated by St. John Ascension) was completed last year. • Wahby: This already beautiful place in front of Blossom Heath receives regular attention to keep it that way. • Welsh: Two nature-themed play structures, one for toddlers and one for older children, will hopefully be completed before the end of this summer (subject to receiving the equipment from vendors). For Ron Frederick, one park holds special significance. Frederick Park, once called Pallister Park, is named after Ron Frederick’s father Casper Frederick who passed away in 1987. Around the time a giant trench was being dug for I-94, his dad and others bribed workers to bring dirt from around 8 Mile to help build a baseball field at the park. The field is now gone – but some concrete sewer pipes (also hauled there by those working on I-94) remain. Painted with brightly colored flowers and fun for crawling through, Frederick is nostalgic visiting the oldest remaining part of the park. The same is true now as when those sewer pipes were first hauled there – great parks enhance neighborhoods. Funding for the play structures comes primarily from money that was accumulated for about a decade by purchasing foreclosed homes and selling them. The county would get the houses back due to unpaid taxes then sell them back to the city of St. Clair Shores. A subcommittee would either fix them up or tear them down and sell the lot. Selling these homes and lots yielded over $1 million in profit.

Top left: City Council Member Ron Frederick at Frederick Park, which was named after his father Casper Frederick Top Right: Rendering of Blossom Heath dino - saur-themed playground, coming this summer Right Middle: Nature-themed play structures are slated to be installed by end of summer at Welsh Family Park. Bottom Right: A freighter-shaped play structure will be installed at Veterans Memorial Park this summer. All Renderings Courtesy of SCS Parks and Recreation Dept.

ESTATE Real

House Hunting? Here’s How to Survive This Seller’s Market

BY FLO ABKE, GRI

Due to a limited inventory of homes, the market for home buyers has been challenging for the last few years. In my opinion, the pandemic may be to blame. Many had to work remotely and home-school their children, making it nearly impossible to put houses up for sale. Inflation may have people a little worried now as well. If you are a buyer, position yourself in a good spot to be successful in this limited market. Here are some steps to do just that: 1. Find an experienced agent who will work for you as your buyer's agent and represent your best interests. 2. Get pre-approved from a reputable mortgage company. Getting a pre-approval on-line or over the phone isn't the same as connecting with an experienced loan representative who will ask for important documents and have an underwriter review them carefully. This way you can get a solid pre-approval showing you’re a strong buyer. Also, pick a loan representative who works weekends and evenings. If you find yourself in a multiple bid situation and need a question answered quickly, it's important to be able to reach your loan representative. 3. Be realistic in your search. With a limited number of homes for sale and numerous buyers bidding on these homes, don't look at homes $20,000 over your price range and expect to make lower/less than asking price offers. In the current market, nice homes often sell for $30,000 or more over asking price. 4. Be flexible by looking at homes that need a little cleaning or updating. Sometimes it's easier to get one of the homes that isn't "spectacular" because you won't be competing with many or any other buyers. Also, sometimes you can offer a little less than asking price on these homes and/or ask for seller concessions to give you a little money to do some updating once you move in. 5. If there is a multi-bid situation, discuss a solid strategy with your buyer's agent and loan representative to provide you with the best chance of winning. Sometimes no matter what you do, it's hard to win. If you are competing against a full price cash offer, and you are getting a mortgage, it may be tough to be triumphant. 6. Most importantly, have patience. You will get the house that was meant for you! I hope the information contained in this article will be helpful if you are purchasing a home in the coming months. I wish you success!

A St. Clair Shores native, Broker/Realtor Flo Abke, GRI, is part of the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Kee Realty team in St. Clair Shores. She is a member of Grosse Pointe Board of Realtors, Women's Council of Realtors, Michigan Association of Realtors and National Association of Realtors. Flo has achieved a multi-million-dollar yearly sales level since 1994. She is also a junior sectional judge for United States Figure Skating.

ALL IN A DAY’S work

Parks & Rec Director Henry Bowman

BY ANNA SWARTZ

Parks and Recreation Director Henry Bowman is a bit of a local celebrity, although he would never call himself that. Residents look for his Facebook Live updates on city events and stop him on the street to tell him how much they appreciate his hard work. Everyone seems to know him — and they like him a lot. He possesses an outgoing, down-toearth demeanor. His relaxed posture and standard uniform of jeans and a sweatshirt (with a few extra hanging on a coat rack in his office, just in case) give off a low-key vibe, even though Bowman’s job is the exact opposite. Bowman took the reins at parks and rec in December of 2018, shortly after he had moved back to his hometown. He previously served as the parks and recreation director for the city of Warren, Michigan for 15 years. Bowman loved working for Warren but says that St. Clair Shores is the one city that could lure him away. “I hear people say it all the time – people who grow up here and go to the schools, a lot of them don’t leave. And it happens still. Even me, when I moved back here to St. Clair Shores, I thought – why did I ever leave?”

Sponsorship Program Brings New Events (and Beer)

Bowman’s love of the city fuels his drive to maintain the best parks and offer the 12 the shores

most memorable programs and events for residents. A sponsorship program involving local businesses to help fund various events – something Bowman utilized successfully in Warren – was launched in St. Clair Shores.

“The cool thing is that St. Clair Shores already had a great relationship with FirstState Bank – they have been a great sponsor of our fireworks...Also Petitpren has sponsored our [Music in the Park] concerts. We have good grass roots. We’re trying to build off those.” Thanks to sponsorships, new events such as Rock the Dock have been added. It took place for the first time in 2021 and is slated for June 18 this year at Lac Sainte Clair. Rock the Dock, along with other events such as Food Truck Rallies (July 24 and October 2) and Bourbon, Brews & BBQ Festival (September 9-10), include “traveling beer gardens.” Collectible glasses feature the event name and sponsor(s). “All you have to do is whisper ‘beer,’ and people line up,” Bowman laughs. Bowman’s involvement with local nonprofits – Lac Sainte Clare Kiwanis president and a member of Shorewood Kiwanis and the St. Clair Shores Optimist Club – is also a winwin. For instance, volunteers may sell beer at an event, then money raised is used to sponsor future events.

Project F.I.S.H.

In terms of programming for the city, Bowman has lots of ideas. But one is always on his mind. “Everybody needs a goal that they’ll never be able to achieve, and my goal is every kid needs to know how to fish,” says Bowman. And it’s a goal that he’s actively pursuing, starting with an MSU extension program called Project F.I.S.H. “I went to the training. They come from MSU and go all over the state. I want to

bring it here. Maybe doing it on Farmers Market Sundays where a class could be going on and kids can try it out.” He pictures loaning out fishing equipment to kids and adults.

“I want to see these kids riding their bikes...with the fishing poles in their backpacks ready to go out there trying to catch the fish, you know?” “He expanded my knowledge of Who’s Who? In St. Clair Shores,” Jarrett says. “I love the people; I love the atmosphere. I love that Henry still puts in 1,000%.”

The Unassuming Boss

A tangible easiness between Bowman and his staff is evident within the office. Several staff members even followed him from Warren to St. Clair Shores.

“My staff and everyone who works for St. Clair Shores is just awesome,” Bowman says. Tracy Jarrett, who worked at the front desk at Warren Parks & Rec for 10 years, originally knew Bowman because their children attended school together in Warren. He never mentioned his workplace. Knowing that Jarrett was looking for a job, Bowman mentioned: “I believe Warren Parks & Rec is hiring.” Jarrett was surprised when she saw Bowman at the office and discovered that he was the director.

“I consider him family,” Jarrett said. “He’s all around a great guy. I can’t brag enough about him. He doesn’t have an air about him. He’s just an everyday average guy.” Jarrett is gifted in photography and volunteered her time taking photos of various events for the city of Warren. When Bowman came to St. Clair Shores, he asked if she could take photos of certain events here too, such as the Memorial Day Parade and Music on the Lake.

Family and Friends First

As much as Bowman is devoted to his job, his first priority is always family and friends. His daughter Claire Bowman is 21, and stepdaughter Miranda Elliott Palma is 24. When discussing his girls, pride oozes from every word. “Miranda just got two degrees from Wayne State: International Studies and Criminal Justice.” and “People stop me now and ask – aren’t you Claire’s Dad?” He scrolls on his phone, searching for a picture of a younger Claire and a friend dressed up for the Daddy Daughter Dance while shooting hoops. Another old basketball team photo shows Miranda, who despite no blood relation, bears a resemblance to Bowman.

“I didn’t think I would ever enjoy anything more than coaching football until I started coaching my daughters,” he said. They were involved with Upward basketball and the Warren Parks and Rec league. Another important person in Bowman’s life is his girlfriend, Darcy Andring. She accompanies him to many of the city’s events, such as Music on the Lake or the Farmers Market. programs we put together and always coming up with great advice.”

As far as friendships,

Bowman says: “I value my friends and keep them for a very long period of time.” He has such a reputation for being kind, that a buddy was even miffed when an ex-girlfriend unfriended Bowman on social media. The friend confronted the ex: “Why would you unfriend Henry? He’s the nicest guy there is.”

BOWMAN’S

Favorites

Music: Country Band: Zac Brown Book You’ve Read Recently: The Seven Levels of Communication by Michael J. Maher Movie: Home Alone Place You’ve Traveled: Arizona Spot in SCS: Blossom Heath Snack: Fruit Season: Fall Hobby: Fishing

Middle Right: Henry Bowman with daughter Claire Bowman (left) and stepdaughter Miranda Elliott Palma

BUSINESS

spotlight

BY ANNA SWARTZ

Labelle

Mirabella chimes in: “When Jenny said that she wanted to buy Labelle’s I decided to invest with her not only because of her congeniality and honesty but also because she has a good eye for unique items. And I believed customers would agree with that, making the store successful.” Wynne has owned the 17-year-old business since March 2021 and is proud of the wide variety of items available in her store – from mid-century modern pieces to jewelry and vintage clothing and her favorite collectible of all, artwork. Oil paintings, watercolors and everything in between – especially ones featuring the human face – capture Wynne’s attention. The store is currently a mixture of vendor “booths” and items owned by Labelle.

Interior decorators will come in and purchase artwork, coffee tables, china cabinets and desks, Wynne says. Mirabella adds that regular customers come as often as twice per week, particularly every Tuesday (after the shop has been closed for two days) when new items are on display. Other antique store owners, with shops in areas such as Eastern Market that can ask for higher prices, come to Labelle to buy items as well. “When you come to Labelle Antiques, you're walking down memory lane,” Wynne says. “You will see china and linens that you might remember seeing as a child at your grandparent’s.

Antiques Pick Up A PIECE of thePAST

Recognizing value in antique and vintage items comes naturally for Labelle Antiques Owner Jenny Wynne and Business Manager Roxann Mirabella. Searching for treasures hiding out at garage sales, estate sales and antique stores and reselling them is the common interest that bonded them together. In fact, they first met at Mirabella’s annual large garage sale six years ago, and their friendship blossomed from there. They both also frequented Labelle Antiques.

What's in Store for Labelle

A Dream Come True

“I would go to Labelle's and fall in love with the character and charm,” Wynne said. “It was my dream to own that store one day. People were lined up wanting to buy it as soon as [the former owner] Dawn was ready to sell it. Today I'm the proud owner of Labelle Antiques. I still pinch myself to this day.” As Wynne and Mirabella look to the future of Labelle, they are planning a garage sale for early June of this year. This would allow them to gain space and eventually open the back room again, potentially to have an area featuring an “Under 10” area one Saturday per month. In addition, their annual Christmas opening on the first Tuesday in November is a special event for customers.

“No Christmas is allowed in the store until then,” Mirabella says. “People line up around the building.” Wynne is continually grateful for the opportunity to do what she loves in a store that she once only dreamed of owning. “I promise if you come to Labelle's and shop, you will not be disappointed,” Wynne says. “I keep my prices affordable because I want everyone to enjoy a piece of history. It's not always about the money. It's about what they are going to do with it. Family heirlooms are very sentimental.” Labelle Antiques is open Tuesday through Saturday and is located at 24861 Harper Ave in St. Clair Shores. For more information about the store, visit www.facebook.com/LabelleAntiquesetc

Below: Owner Jenny Wynne , left, and Business Manager Roxann Mirabella