In the works for more than four months, the Packard Pub, 640 Packard St., is finally set to open this week — most likely Wednesday — once it clears the last of its government-imposed hurdles.

“I’m looking forward to seeing my kids again,” says owner Kyle Miller, who has been working tirelessly on site since last fall to make the dream of his own bar a reality.

Nearly everything in the new pub space at the intersection of Packard and State was designed by Miller himself — a mechanical engineer in a former life — including the bar, the tables, the kitchen, the interior design, and the placement of the (as of now) 14 flat-screen televisions soon destined to display all manner of sporting events.

“A lot of people said I couldn’t do this,” says Miller, who lives in Macomb County where he also runs a Buffalo Wings & Rings franchise, “but I’m proving them wrong.”

Even the beer list was carefully selected by self-described “craft beer guy” Miller. Of the 20 taps, half are microbrews, with six of those being Michigan-brewed beers. The thirsty Michigan beer lover can look forward to Detroit Beer Co.’s Detroit Dwarf Red Ale, New Holland’s Full Circle Kolsch, Founders Red’s Rye and Bell’s Two-Hearted Ale, among others. The less adventurous need not fear, however, as all the usual suspects in the American macrobrew market are also represented on tap and in bottles, as are the spirits one would expect from a full bar.

The décor includes a massive, wall-sized mural of Michigan Stadium (specifically, the 2009 Penn State game), a long bar with plenty of stools, a gas-powered fireplace and several large tables sporting Michigan sports facts, figures and trivia. The maize-and-blue paint job further cements the impression that this is a campus sports bar, though Miller anticipates the pub will draw more than just students.

“Already we’ve had teachers, alumni, construction workers, and coaches and administrative staff from the athletic department pop in and ask when we’re opening,” says Miller.

Helping Miller maintain the collegial but cordial environment is his cousin, Dale Duff, who came out of retirement to handle security and other logistical issues. Duff, who wears three decades of experience as a teacher and rehab specialist on his no-nonsense sleeve, is excited about his cousin’s venture.

“Kyle really knows what he’s doing here, and if he didn’t I wouldn’t have come out of retirement to help out,” says Duff. “But I’m glad to do it because I know what a remarkable guy he is and because it’s all about helping your family.”

In return, Miller says simply of Duff: “He’s brilliant, one of the smartest guys I know.”

The pub includes a downstairs room, which is available to rent for private parties, explains Duff, who is working out the details.

“We’ll be charging a nominal rate,” Duff says. “We aren’t looking to get rich but we do want to provide a great space where alumni, families and others can gather to have a good time in a relaxed but reasonable atmosphere.”

There’s no question the pub aims to be a hot spot for Michigan sports action. By the fall, Miller anticipates installing three large projector screen TVs as a new football season begins, as well as opening at 7 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays to provide breakfast for hungry fans. Other plans include DJ and karaoke nights, live and video trivia and, eventually, Keno.

The menu features many standard bar food options, such as mozzarella sticks, onion rings, potato skins, nachos, quesadillas, pizzas and sandwiches, but avowed burger fan Miller says he wants to serve “the best burgers in Ann Arbor.”

More than 30 people will be employed by the Packard Pub once it opens, and this reporter pledges to write a followup in due course. Stay tuned!

David Bardallis is a freelance writer and editor, blogger, bon vivant, and man about town. Visit his Web site, DavidBardallis.com, to engage his services or read his latest. E-mail your thoughts to annarborbeer@gmail.com or follow @dbardallis on Twitter.