Ypsilanti ready to consider details of plan for Family Dollar store
A Family Dollar store is the long-awaited first development planned for Ypsilanti’s Water Street property.
As such, planners and City Council are eager to set the design standard for subsequent development on the 38-acre site.
At its regular Wednesday meeting, the Ypsilanti Planning Commission will consider the project’s site plans and a request to rezone Family Dollar's property from B4, General Business and Entryway Overlay to a Planned Unit Development.
The Water Street property was never rezoned because City Council wanted to allow flexibility for all types of proposed developments, be it retail, commercial, residential, industrial or mixed use.
City Planner Teresa Gillotti said a PUD also helps staff and Council ensure a “quality development" by giving it greater control of a property's design elements, including careful consideration of vehicular and pedestrian access in the context of future development.
The project will also begin to lay out the roads, sewer and other infrastructure for the rest of Water Street, giving it more shape than is currently offered.
“Everyone is interested in the first development on Water Street being a quality development both in terms of form and landscaping for that corner of Park and Michigan,” Gillotti said.
The property will be at the corner of Michigan Avenue and Park Street, and Lincoln Street will run from north to south, just west of the building.
City Council approved the purchase agreement for the $1.2 million project on May 7. Family Dollar will pay the city $210,000 for the land, and Core Resources, Family Dollar’s developing partner, is proposing to construct an 8,320-square-foot store.
But the city has stressed the importance of accessibility for pedestrians, the inclusion of sidewalks, lighting, design and providing an urban feel.
After reviewing the site plan already submitted to the city, Gillotti listed 23 design items that need to be addressed before she can recommend site plan approval. Those includes changes like Family Dollar paying for sidewalks, the addition of bike racks, changes to landscaping, changes to lighting, a reduction in the parking lot’s size and more.
The planning commission will vote on whether or not to recommend council approve the site plans and rezoning.
The meeting at 7 p.m. at the Ypsilanti City Hall will include a public hearing.
Comments
CycleGirl
Thu, Aug 29, 2013 : 3:16 p.m.
City Council is obviously not listening to the people. A Dollar store is not wanted there. BTW I thought the City hired somebody to market that land, if so they should be fired if that's the best they can do. A Whole Foods, Hillers or a grocery store of that magnitude would certainly be attractive to the area. In the meantime, turn it into a park, invite more events to the City. Desperation is what City Council is showing now and it's a shame. I will remember each of you come election time.
Ypsi Eastsider
Thu, Aug 29, 2013 : 2:53 p.m.
Scott Straley, You say the Dollar Store is the only option left. Not True. They could leave the lot empty. With the little new tax revenue the city collects from the Dollar Store, it will take 57 years to pay off the debt for the parcel the City is selling to the Dollar Store. 57 years! The property will be free and clear and paid for 18 years. Leave it empty and wait until a better offer comes along, if there isn't an offer, make the thing into a new park. When you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop digging. Sadly, the city has ordered more shovels.
desperate
Thu, Aug 29, 2013 : 2:25 a.m.
This saddens me. Our downtowns two main anchor stores will be Deja Vu and a Dollar store. Why does ypsi strive to cater the absolute lowest common denominator?
Mike
Thu, Aug 29, 2013 : 2:05 a.m.
According to the article, or what I read from it, Ypsilanti, is having second thoughts about this anchor store. Family Dollar Is not a fly-by-night company. The city seems to be making demands that just may change Family Dollar's mind about building there. Adding landscaping changes, lighting changes, the addition of bike racks and a smaller parking lot. It may be that these changes could hurt the business atmosphere of that location. Not enough parking to support the store. Landscaping that may have a higher maintenance cost. Lighting that may not be sufficient for safety around the building, or possibly more lighting that would cut down on profitability. Neighboring properties may not want the added lighting necessary for the safety of the store, less light may encourage theft from this property.
Honest Abe
Thu, Aug 29, 2013 : 1:19 a.m.
This would be making a move for the sake of making a move. Foolish and stupidity will be demonstrated if a Family Dollar is built. If this happens, they might as well call Burger King back and tell them they have reconsidered. It is amazing how many taxpaying citizens really do not understand politics. They think they have a voice, and they do; but it is limited. Real politics would be letting every single Ypsilanti citizen of legal age to vote on this. And I guarantee the majority vote would blow this silly idea to smithereens too! Bu that is not how voting and politics normally work. See it works like this: You simply vote for a certain person or political party, and they make the decision for you. I'm sick and tired of this "Water Street Project". It's not a project! It is a mess. But like I said, Let's not start making moves for the sake of making a move.
joe golder
Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 9:02 p.m.
Boycott this business so they move. Maybe Trader Joe's will take advantage of the 8300 sq ft empty space.
Scott Straley
Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 8:47 p.m.
What's really sad is that the City Council painted themselves into this corner over the past decade through a collective lack of principled leadership. You don't purchase a massive tract of blighted land with exorbitant clean-up costs without a clear direction of how you want to proceed with it. The very fact that a decade later they still haven't bothered to rezone this shows their naivety and laziness. And, now, all of this hand-wringing on Burger King, the Dollar Store, the recreation center -- its so frustrating. We're now stuck with either doing something or facing a real possibility of having our city spiral into bankruptcy. The Dollar Store is absolutely the wrong store for the location. And the fact that several council members balked at the idea of having parking behind it -- and instead wanted it to look like a big box store showed even more of their utter ineptitude. But, unfortunately, the Dollar Store in the last option left. Years and years of ignorance brought us here. And, the entire elected city government should face the consequences on election day. But, I'm betting, they'll all survive this. And, the city will be worse for it.
Kevin
Thu, Aug 29, 2013 : 1:28 a.m.
Yet they do have time to pass a resolution in opposition to the state's stand your ground law....sigh
ypsilive
Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 8:46 p.m.
these are business people investing a million dollars plus (land+improvements) to launch a business on 1 urban acre...its their risk...just checked and family dollar has a 8 billion dollar market cape...not too shabby...lets work with the people who want to invest and employee...
Linda
Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 7:25 p.m.
This is so sad for the city of Ypsilanti. We deserve better.
Ypsidoodle
Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 8:40 p.m.
Just because we deserve better doesn't mean we're going to get it, unless we work for it that is... yet we keep re-electing the visionless do-dos every time. So really, how could we ask for much more? I think we've gotten what we deserve up to this point...
ypsilive
Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 5:46 p.m.
If approved I intend to support this business as much as possible in the same way I do other local business...if the community shows its commitment to the pioneering businesses at water street it will send a positive message to future developers...I believe there is plenty of room at the water street site for a family dollar and much more... its the designs for the building that is critical...that it fit in with the character of our down town vision...building do outlast businesses and in the event family dollar vacates this site we will have an attractive building for the future...
Mick52
Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 3:49 p.m.
Didn't Ypsi turn down a Burger King at this location? Somehow I can't imagine a dollar store being an attractive anchor store for good business to move in. Better than nothing?
harry b
Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 4:38 p.m.
How about a topless venue in a building that looks like a trailer.
sloppySam
Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 4:05 p.m.
yeah, why can't they have a mega strip mall topless venue? surrounded by a trailer park..
harry b
Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 3:44 p.m.
This is such a shame. Ypsilanti has a wonderful historic downtown area/depot town. A great park with a river running through. Beautiful 100 year plus houses. So right smack in the middle they build a family dollar store. Its too bad that couldn't keep us the small historic town feeling. Over the years Ypsi has went from a prosperous town to a somewhat dangerous place in many areas where poverty is abundant. Too bad they can't be another Northville/ Brighton.
harry b
Mon, Sep 9, 2013 : 5:23 p.m.
South Ypsi by I94 has been dangerous since I went to college at EMU in the 80's. I didn't feel comfortable walking or driving through that are 30 years ago. I was reading an old Ypsi news paper of the 30's and it was complaining about the bootlegging and crime in that area. They had special foot patrol's. Not much has changed.
YpsiGirl4Ever
Thu, Aug 29, 2013 : 3:20 a.m.
Where poverty is abundant? Say what? Ypsilanti is not Detroit nor wish to be Northville or Brighton. If you don't prefer to associate around some individuals of low income status, maybe Grosse Pointe Farms is in your future for a move?
Creep66
Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 3:27 p.m.
Why another Family Dollar store when there is one a mile down Michigan Ave next to Kroger?? What downtown Ypsilanti needs is a reasonably priced grocery store, like Aldi or Save A Lot, where the students and locals can get 'real' food instead of having to shell out big bucks for a frozen pizza at the local party store. Where are this city's priorities??
joe golder
Thu, Aug 29, 2013 : 3:38 a.m.
Remember Brooks IGA or Baizley meat market?
Arboriginal
Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 3:56 p.m.
Remember the Galaxy? Corner of Ecorse & Michigan. They specialized in expired goods.
Arboriginal
Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 1:22 p.m.
Everything will fall into place once the plasma center relocates to the Water Street property.
Ypsi Eastsider
Thu, Aug 29, 2013 : 2:36 p.m.
Don't forget the scheduled opening of Brandys II on Water Street in 2015.
harry b
Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 3:46 p.m.
I think Aboriginal was being sarcastic. He is making the connection of Ypsilanti becoming more like detroit.
Joe
Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 2:41 p.m.
Why relocate? Based on the lines outside the current plasma center, surely a second one would be profitable.
akronymn
Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 1:19 p.m.
Won't Lincoln run North/South on the East side of the store?
ypsi 1
Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 4:19 p.m.
Park St.
Ypsidoodle
Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 1:06 p.m.
This kind of like the last call at the bar and you haven't hooked up yet... the powers that be must have some really strong beer goggles on!
Nicholas Urfe
Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 12:22 p.m.
"eager to set the design standard for subsequent development on the 38-acre site." Oh yes, they have set quite a standard with that Family Dollar anchor store. It would make a great SNL skit, with everything being compared to the Dollar store. And as the taxpayers toil in their jobs to cover their ever increasing taxes and the debt of the project, they could sing a symbolic "...and I sold my soul to the family dollar store..."
Hugh Giariola
Thu, Aug 29, 2013 : 12:53 p.m.
Welcome to Ypsilanti! Come visit our Dollar Stores!
YpsiGirl4Ever
Thu, Aug 29, 2013 : 3:17 a.m.
Do you live EVERYWHERE Nick? You comment on Ann Arbor City & Public Schools Articles, Pittsfield Township Articles, Ypsilanti Articles and Ypsilanti Township Article or is it a bit of attention seeking instead?
Hugh Giariola
Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 12:22 p.m.
The new Arbor Hills shopping center opened with the likes of Anthropologie, North Face, and Sur Le Tab all synergistically attracting like-minded customers to their businesses. I can only guess what businesses the dollar store will attract.
Hugh Giariola
Thu, Aug 29, 2013 : 12:35 p.m.
@justcurious, no I am not from AA but I have a different vision for that space than a dollar store, liquor store, etc. If you shoot for a dollar store as your anchor, well........that's all you're going to have.
joe golder
Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 8:57 p.m.
Mom and pop corner stores are a far stretch from a dollar store! I will boycott this place, with the hope they leave and 8300 sq ft is big enough for a trader joe's or a bingo parlor!
justcurious
Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 1:27 p.m.
I cannot believe you said that. You must be from Ann Arbor. Stores like this provide much needed things for folks who live in the area. If they can walk down to the corner for what they need then they don't need to be out on the congested roads. All city neighborhoods had little corner stores when I was a kid. Then the shopping centers came. Thank God Ypsilanti is making it on their own...despite snooty Ann Arborites next door.
Citywatch
Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 11:35 a.m.
The lack of zoning and site preparation makes it difficult for potential investors to know what is proposed for the site. It would be like building a house on a great piece of property and then watching from your porch as a metal forging plant gets built next door on one side and a potentially busy street borders you on the other.
Elaine F. Owsley
Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 10:57 a.m.
Wow! Putting the horse before the cart. Amazing.
SusanRk
Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 10:06 a.m.
Cool!