Ypsilanti City Council member walks out of meeting after Thompson Block discussion breaks down
How will Ypsilanti respond to developer Stewart Beal’s request to extend the deadline for completing the Thompson Block by another year?
That question was supposed to be resolved in a closed session meeting with City Council, staff and city attorneys on Tuesday morning.
More of the Thompson Block's envelope was completed in July.
Photo courtesy of Stewart Beal
"There’s nothing the city can do,” Murdock said. “We just don’t do anything and (Beal) does whatever the hell he wants and that’s what he does. When it becomes totally financially unviable, then he’ll bail out.”
Council Member Susan Moeller, Council Member Brian Robb and Mayor Pro Tem Lois Richardson did not attend. Five council members are needed to bring the meeting into closed session.
Per a consent agreement signed by Beal and the city after months of legal wrangling in 2010, the Thompson Block is to have its outer envelope, including all outer walls and the roof, completed by Sept. 1.
But that deadline is approaching and Beal is requesting an extension that would allow him until the end of 2014 or early 2015 to complete the building — more than five years after a fire gutted it in September of 2009.
The city now must consider whether to agree to the extension or take the matter back to court. All four walls are complete — as are eight other points that were part of the consent agreement — but the lack of a roof means the building still violates the city’s dangerous buildings ordinance.
The city could take the issue up in the court system, or it could agree to the new deadline.
Murdock said part of the reason he left the meeting was because no viable options were being discussed. He questioned whether the project can even be completed.
“In the abstract you would like to see the building refurbished, and blah, blah, blah,” Murdock said. “In reality, I don’t think it’s economically viable.”
Beal recently announced that he was seeking investors to purchase shares in the building. He has $2 million in loans and needs to raise another $2 million through private investment or loans to make the project happen. He also has $2 million in tax credits he said he will sell to pay off loans or investors.
Mayor Paul Schreiber struck a more patient tone. He said he understands the frustration but noted the building is better positioned than when jailed landlord David Kircher owned it, and he is hopeful Beal can pull together the necessary funding.
He said such a redevelopment is tricky but he believes the Thompson Block would certainly pay off once a train stop comes to Depot Town. Blocking the redevelopment through more legal action isn’t the best option, Schreiber said.
“The city should be trying to encourage development and helping Mr. Beal, but also not letting it go on forever,” Schreiber said. “It’s not unusual for developments to lag, so I hope the city can negotiate some type of agreement that lets him go forward, get some investors and helps him develop the property.”
Schreiber said he was part of the redevelopment of the Hamilton Crossing housing project, which dragged on for a decade before reaching its conclusion.
“I think frustration is a part of any development,” he said. “In the Parkview redevelopment that turned into Hamilton Crossing, there were a lot of dark days.
“Developers have lots of patience and look for ways to get things done. As long as we’re making progress, I think that’s good.”
Council Member Ricky Jefferson declined to discuss the issues.
“I have to look at everything and we still have some things the attorney has to bring to us,” he said.
Murdock said he isn’t the only one feeling frustration over the slow progress.
“People are sick of looking at the building, tired of hearing about it and with all the public relations Beal does he has virtually zero credibility with anyone for getting this project done,” Murdock said.
Responding to suggestions from the public that the city tear the building down and install a park, Schreiber said he felt a park would add little to Depot Town.
“A park is not going to add to the property value, and it’s not going to add to Depot Town’s commerce. That would keep anything from developing there for the next 20 years. We’ve got a start on development and I think we should finish the development,” he said.
Tom Perkins is a freelance reporter. Contact the AnnArbor.com news desk at news@annarbor.com.
Comments
whatsupwithMI
Fri, Aug 16, 2013 : 12:49 a.m.
For those comparing this building to the Smith building: the latter is up for auction shortly! http://markmaynard.com/2013/08/one-month-from-today-assuming-you-win-the-auction-you-could-be-the-owner-of-ypsilantis-smith-furniture-building-if-so-whatll-you-do-with-it/ is the best story you may find about this to-date.
Honest Abe
Thu, Aug 15, 2013 : 10:35 p.m.
Beal is a joke! I remember one time my brother and I ran into him at a local coffee house. My brother, who is a Civil Engineer and a Licensed builder, began asking Stewy a few questions about buildings and such. After about 10 minutes of talking, Stewy 'had to go". My brother looked at me, lowered his glasses and said "That guy does not know anything about anything. But he sure tries to act like he does." Keep in mind, Stewy is in his late 20's, my brother is in his middle 60's. The point being is Stewy tried to talk like a big shot in the beginning but when he realized he was talking with an ace, he wanted to stop the talking before he would have been embarrassed.
Ypsi Tax Payer
Thu, Aug 15, 2013 : 6:40 p.m.
Maybe Beal should be given an 18 year extension to 2031, that's the year the lighting tax assessment will have paid off the property, then the city will have extra funds to tear down the building!
licorice
Thu, Aug 15, 2013 : 4:44 p.m.
I would also like to know why my representative, Sue Moeller, was not at this meeting, or the recent meeting about the street lights assessments, either.
Honest Abe
Thu, Aug 15, 2013 : 3:30 a.m.
I'm surprised the 'so called' mayor (not a mayor in my book), does not call for the Thompson building to be torn down so he can push for a payday loan store, Family Dollar, Liquor store and Pizza joint in it's place. I see no difference in Beal and Kircher. Only difference is Kircher actually HAS money. On a serious note: bulldoze this place, sell it, and move on.
Jay Thomas
Thu, Aug 15, 2013 : 1:32 a.m.
Schreiber is in his own fantasy world. Ypsilanti deserves a better Mayor. Go to court already and make Beal tear down this dangerous shell of a building.
Jay Thomas
Fri, Aug 16, 2013 : 3:20 a.m.
Steven, What a great reason for the government not to enforce the law. I suppose they could just wait for the County to foreclose on it for unpaid taxes.
Steven Taylor
Thu, Aug 15, 2013 : 2:36 a.m.
Courts costs money, Ypsi's already close to their own fiscal cliff if me reading A2.com has shown me anything in the last 4 years since I moved back here. Kinda fighting off the inevitable..
Steven Taylor
Thu, Aug 15, 2013 : 12:52 a.m.
I'd love to hear the councils opinions on the even longer vacant unused depot property just across the street. Last I knew it was owned by the gentleman in ann arbor that owns the campus inn and he's essentially told all comers to go pound sand. Last news story on it was from November of 2012.. Apply your outrage equally council, or are you looking to play favorites since it could possibly play into your baby this rail project? (Even though it was determined to be to close to the line for a platform) http://annarbor.com/news/ypsilanti/vacant-train-depot-in-ypsilanti/
Jay Thomas
Fri, Aug 16, 2013 : 3:16 a.m.
The way you are conflating vacant buildings and ones that are condemned is flabbergasting. I don't care if a landlord has a building that is vacant as long as it is kept up. The Thompson Block Building does not meet that requirement... by a longshot.
Steven Taylor
Thu, Aug 15, 2013 : 2:39 a.m.
And Jay, a vacant building is still a vacant building. I've seen plenty of talk out of the council, not a lot of action. I can think of a handful of condemned and otherwise vacant buildings that have remained as such for years. At least in (The former Abes Chicken bldg directly behind Abes at Hamilton and Michigan... The small partystore on congress at Summit(I think) near Rec Park.. and a handful of other Kircher Properties scattered across the city. Not to mention the Smith building, which for all purposes has had such water damage as to render whats left of the roof, useless. Wheres the call to bulldoze that?
Steven Taylor
Thu, Aug 15, 2013 : 2:35 a.m.
Nope I'm not Stewart. I just don't see anyone else proposing a viable taxable alternative (a park, seriously?) Is the situation ideal? Nope, of course not, but if the city had been so serious about doing something. they shoulda done it when Kirscher or whatever his name was owned the building for 20+ years and let it deteriorate.
Jay Thomas
Thu, Aug 15, 2013 : 1:38 a.m.
Stewart, is that you? "City Planner Teresa Gillotti said the building is secure and a recent tour of it showed there are no issues with the building." Big difference between the two.
booksandbooze
Thu, Aug 15, 2013 : 12:40 a.m.
Beal has been advertising the planned luxury lofts all over craigslist (http://annarbor.craigslist.org/apa/3948464370.html). Signing leases now to start 1/1/15. Anyone know if this is legal?
Justavoice
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 11:56 p.m.
Someone should have just walked over in 2009 and kicked it over while we had the chance. This is just a waste of time and money. Ripping it down or fighting it out in the courts is just going to waste more of the same when it would have been cheaper to just have torn it down to begin with. Granted water street is a huge debacle, but this eye sore is hardly improving the community and bringing up property values. A nice piece of grass would be such an improvement on depot town than this pit. Many people predicted this is exactly where we would be 5 years ago, here we are. Why should the community expect any different 5 years from now?
Joseph Gabriel
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 11:38 p.m.
I've worked in Depot Town for two years. I pass the Thompson Block every day on my walk to work, and in those two years I have seen work being done on the building twice. Only twice. So go ahead and give Beal another year guys. He might have another days work done by then.
Pete Murdock
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 9:40 p.m.
@Steven Taylor You know not of what you speak. I have abstained on one vote, and that was to make a point after City Council voted down my resolution to prohibit Council members from abstaining. As to Water Street - Sorry I wasn't there when Water Street was concocted and if I was, we wouldn't be in the predicament that we are now with Water Street.
cmadler
Wed, Aug 21, 2013 : 2:54 p.m.
@Steven Taylor: It's not the city council's job to propose alternate uses for private property. Once the city renders the property safe by demolishing the dangerous structure, it's up to the property owner to decide (within zoning laws, etc.) what to do with the property.
Ypsi Tax Payer
Thu, Aug 15, 2013 : 6:34 p.m.
If this is true vote NO on any assessment, especially 18 years of taxes for LED lights!
Steven Taylor
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 11:54 p.m.
I was corrected about your non-involvement in the water street issue Mr. Murdock. And for that I apologize. However, do you have a valid alternative for the Thompson Block should they raze the structure if you were to get your wish.. More parking lot to sell to the French's for the Sidetrack? Or perhaps more empty space like water street. Until I see a valid option/alternative. I say let Mr. Beal have his pet project. It appears to me here in Ward 1 that many of his rental properties are for sale (possibly to gain more capital for the ambitious Thompson Block Project) We're humoring you on this Ypsi/Detroit rail line. Humor the man using his own money and a few investors for getting the project going before we beg the state for more money that we DON'T have for something like a rail transit project to Detroit.
Citywatch
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 9:15 p.m.
Enough already! I appreciate that Mayor Schreiber is trying to play mediator, but this is really too much now. Let it go and knock down most of it, put up a historic marker, turn it into a nice greenspace with benches, keep the east wall and show movies on it. The REAL opportunity in town is the Smith Furniture Building. Location, parking space for multiple businesses, etc. Why doesn't someone form an LLC and generate investors to save a building that is actually still a building!
Steven Taylor
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 8:38 p.m.
Personally, I think Mr. Murdock likes to throw a fit and abstain from votes rather frequently when he doesn't get his way. That's not politics.. That's childish tantrums. Lets see HIM redevelop something that on his watch sat dormant and vacant when the slumlord Kircher owned the block. Considering as other commenters have mentioned that he was around during the water street debacle.. Glass houses, stones, all that rot.
jcj
Fri, Aug 16, 2013 : 11:46 a.m.
Mr Taylor I did not see in your apology any reference to your statement... "Personally, I think Mr. Murdock likes to throw a fit and abstain from votes rather frequently" When clearly that is not the case.
Steven Taylor
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 11:38 p.m.
Duly noted pseudo, thank you for the clarification regarding his not being present on council during the water street issue.
pseudo
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 11:14 p.m.
I am far from a Murdock fan - I think he should have stayed away from council BUT Water Street happened at a time when he was not on council.
JRW
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 8:08 p.m.
"People are sick of looking at the building, tired of hearing about it and with all the public relations Beal does he has virtually zero credibility with anyone for getting this project done," Murdock said. Yes. Totally agree.
leezee
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 7:56 p.m.
What is this garbage where council members don't attend vital meetings. Ann Arbor and Ypsi. If you can't do the job, so run for office.
Solitude
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 7:15 p.m.
I hope aa.com contacts the absent council members runs a follow up story with their explanations for missing the meeting.
rs
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 7:14 p.m.
They should have knocked it down after the fire and made nice building on that site from the reclaimed brick. Sometimes its better to just start over.
AimeeMConat
Thu, Aug 15, 2013 : 1:56 a.m.
Would have been the third time those bricks have been used! The bricks used to build the Thompson Block were from the hotel (the name alludes me at the moment) that was across River right next to the train tracks. Random Ypsi trivia.
Dan P
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 7:09 p.m.
Good for Pete Murdock for not putting up with this farce. I've never seen any construction at this site in the 3 years I've lived here. The only progress I've seen is the supports removed from the sidewalk. Enough is enough.
Solitude
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 7:02 p.m.
Is leaving a meeting that lacks a quorum really the same thing as "walking out" on a meeting? I think not. He went, there weren't enough people there to accomplish the stated purpose, so he left. Is the manufactured drama in the headline really necessary?
denniso800
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 6:29 p.m.
The ABSOLUTE mos unbelievable part of this, is that ANYONE would believe ANYTHING Beal says. I wouldn't believe him if he told me this was the year 2013.
Rita Book
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 6:24 p.m.
In an ideal world, grant him the extension but fine him X amount of dollars each day that it isn't completed and generate extra revenue for the city.
Ypsi Eastsider
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 5:06 p.m.
How much money does Beal owe on back taxes to the City and County? If he owes money on any of his property in the city, there should be no extensions. How is it Beal is exempt from the $1,500 annual inspection fee for the vacant and dangerous buildings ordinance, but other property owners get hit with those assessments every month?
tinkywinky
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 4:55 p.m.
Maybe Beal needs a TV commercial. He could hire someone to reprise Clara Peller's role in the old Wendy's commercials, and stand in the middle of the rubble looking up, asking, "Where's the roof?"
RUKiddingMe
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 4:54 p.m.
Why did this need to be in a CLOSED session? All the meetings with this guy need to be televised and open to the public.
pseudo
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 4:51 p.m.
City with absent leadership + ineffective legal reps + Mr. Beal and a pile of bricks that he owns + effective legal representation = stand off. long. frustrating. continuing.
JRA
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 4:40 p.m.
Aren't the meetings planned in advance so that Council members can plan in advance to attend? What a waste of time for the people who planned accordingly in order to attend the meeting.
jcj
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 4:32 p.m.
No extension for you! NEXT!
Ypsi Tax Payer
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 4:13 p.m.
Maybe the council should consider creating a special "assessment district" and allocating a reconstruction fee for a few years, plus a ongoing costs fee for 18 years - it may not 'benefit' Beal, but I'm sure Council could figure out how it 'benefits' property owners (and it's a tax voters don't have to approve!)
Ypsi Tax Payer
Thu, Aug 15, 2013 : 6:28 p.m.
Written 'tongue-in-cheek' to parrell with street light tax for 18 years; and disregard for what the electorate want.
Pete Murdock
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 3:20 p.m.
@Dading "I don't think the city has the responsibility to tell anyone something is a bad investment. if i want to keep throwing money at something, why can't i?" Neither Do I, but it is (y) our money and the City has no obligation to be part of a bad investment. There is a lot of public money proposed by Mr. Beal for this project - $2M in tax credits, over $1M in tax abatements, DDA grants, etc. Is Beal "too big to fail"? This current agreement saved Beal from his bad decisions – failure to adequately secure the building and to have fire insurance causing the crisis post fire. Now he wants to renege of the timeline that HE proposed and agreed to. It's time to move on. The City needs to enforce the vacant and dangerous building ordinance as we did with the Smith Furniture Building The ordinance has its own deadlines – he either secures the building (Roof and complete envelope) or it gets torn down. I'm afraid this is a minority view on City Council – but is the prevailing one in the community.
Olive
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 6:49 p.m.
I live on the same block as the Thompson Building and, like so many of us, am tired of seeing the pile of bricks on the corner. What I don't understand is this - if the prevailing view in the community is to enforce the vacant and dangerous building ordinance, why does the majority of the city council think they can ignore their constituents? (Rhetorical, I know.) But something needs to be done, and it's beyond time for the city council to stand up to Beal.
Thinking over here
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 6:22 p.m.
Your last statement is thought-provoking - Why doesn't the council listen to the community? Oh - not-a-perfect-world.
Michael Roth
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 4:45 p.m.
Thanks Pete for articulating your position, neighbor!
Tru2Blu76
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 2:42 p.m.
Rename the project: something like The Obamacare Center for Universal Free Health Care. Federal funding will be provided in abundance within a week. If by some incredible mischance, Obamacare is also delayed... oh wait, that's already happened. Okay, 2nd try: Rename this property: something like ,"The Ypsilanti Economically Unfeasible Zone." Now we're getting somewhere.
PattyinYpsi
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 4:08 p.m.
Extremely helpful comments, as usual. [Comment weighed down by heavy sarcasm]
MGoYpsi
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 2:39 p.m.
I agree. Why are these elected Council Members never at meetings? The Mayor and Moeller weren't at the meeting that voted on the street light assesment either. When they do attend , some abstain instead of voting. Don't run for Council if you will not do the job.
lumberg48108
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 2:53 p.m.
Agree 100% - where are they and why are they not voting on the most import issues facing the city! As far as abstaining, there are, at times, valid reasons for abstaining but you an for office cause you wanted to make decisions you felt were in the best interest of the city. That is not done by abstaining.
EatKeyLimePie
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 2:39 p.m.
Stewie Beal, "Precisely as intended"
not a billy
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 2:22 p.m.
Maybe Beal should talk to Maddy Maroun. He has been jerking the City of Detroit around on the old train station, did some token window work in the last few months to "show progress". Maybe Maroun would invest in the Starbucks & beer plan, finance the entire folly for Beal. Better yet, maybe they could collaborate and move the Detroit train station to the Thompson block. Just as much chance for that to happen as there is for the Thompson building to be completed. Cut the crap, fix it or tear it down. Historical preservation needs to take a back seat on this one.
Ross
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 2:16 p.m.
Wow, the drama just continues. Beal was standing outside the building yesterday afternoon with some grey hairs, presumably hyping up the incredible opportunity that is the Thompson block. This article is a bit misleading. Saying things like "All four walls are complete — as are eight other points that were part of the consent agreement" is not quite true. There are 4 walls, sure, but they are not structural. They are merely a propped up facade. You cannot put a roof on those walls, an entirely new interior steel super-structure would need to be built before a roof could go on. This is why this project is so confusing to me. Why are we saving this facade? It's worthless! What Beal is really proposing to do is build an entirely new building within, and save the old facade for sentimental reasons only. This will undoubtedly only add expense and time to this already floundering project. Might as well tear it down and start anew. Meanwhile, Beal misses yet another deadline and begs for further extension. I agree with many other posters here, enough is enough. Doesn't the city have the legal ability to foreclose upon the property and take it away from him? I say we do so, and auction the property to allow another developer to find an opportunity for progress. Someone who didn't just "inherit" the property and make a bunch of vague, unrealistic promises.
Stupid Hick
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 7:05 p.m.
I think he's saving the facade because without it there's no tax credit for preserving the historic structure. Note that even with $2M worth of tax credits, on a $4M deal, this is an "opportunity" that nobody seems to find attractive.
Duc d'Escargot
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 1:52 p.m.
I just walked past the Thompson Block last night. Speaking as a layperson rather than a building contractor I have to say the structure might be too far gone to rebuild. The east wall appeared to be complete, but the overall problems with the masonry are extensive. Everywhere you look the mortar needs repair. Windowsills are shot and there are many other obvious defects. The plywood or OSB sheets that cover the window openings don't protect the building from the elements at all (a moot point given the lack of a roof.) In my opinion it would take far more than those $10,000 shares to rebuild this sorry structure.
Glen S.
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 1:47 p.m.
This is on my block, and nobody would love to see this project completed more than me ... but Beal has proven over and over again that he cannot be trusted to meet any of the obligations (or deadlines) to which he agrees. If rehabilitation/reconstruction is indeed still viable, Beal should sell it to someone with the resources to make that happen -- and quickly. If not, I can't see any reason to continue giving him any more extensions -- or any more chances to keep delaying the inevitable.
Top Cat
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 1:33 p.m.
Bulldozers......start up your engines!
hawkhulk
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 1:24 p.m.
First Kircher now Beal. Birds of a feather flock together, as this sorry saga proves.
lumberg48108
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 1:23 p.m.
This is one issue where I really see both sides. Getting in the way will not help the development succeed and yet Beal has never really met any of the deadlines he has agreed to and continuously asks for extensions. What is best for Ypsi is that Beal completes the project and city council do what it can to stay out of the way and let him reach that goal. Yet, Beal has to reach that goal himself and he has yet to do most of what he has said he will do. Complex stuff ...
lumberg48108
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 2:45 p.m.
Yep ... how long? Good question.
Ross
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 2:18 p.m.
Yep, you are right, it is complex. But at some point we need to assess whether Beal is really going to get anything done here. Failed deadline after broken promise after idealistic vision.... he's clearly in over his head. Sucks, because we do all truly want to see it viable. How many years do we give it before we try to move on?
PattyinYpsi
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 1:02 p.m.
"Developers have lots of patience and look for ways to get things done. As long as we're making progress, I think that's good." Mayor Schreiber, if anything even vaguely resembling progress is being made, it must be happening in secret, so please share it with us. Absolutely nothing that the public knows about this project could reasonably be described as "progress." Stop buying Beal's snake oil, cut him loose, fine him if possible for missing every deadline, and move on!
Citywatch
Thu, Aug 15, 2013 : 1:07 a.m.
The Mayor and city council really need to listen to the people on this one. This story has been in A2.com several times over several years and there is little or no enthusiasm for extending deadlines and continuing supporting this project. Not now, nor the time before that, and not the time before that. Cut Beal loose. I feel sorry for Tyler Weston who is a great supporter of Ypsilanti and an asset to our community who unfortunately has been sucked into this black hole like a dying star.
Gretchen Ridenour
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 4:22 p.m.
I couldn't have said it better!
EyeHeartA2
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 12:58 p.m.
I don't see anybody working on the roof in that picture. Must be out of view, huh?
Murf
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 12:32 p.m.
Understandable. I almost walked out on reading this article! This whole debachle is frustrating even for those of us that aren't involved more than just driving by it at least twice a day.
Honest Abe
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 12:28 p.m.
Are you folks kidding me? Beal is going to make this Thompson Block thingy happen!! He is offering a Starbucks Card and a FREE Beer! For things to happen!
Faygo
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 12:23 p.m.
This seems to be a convenient distraction from the much more serious issues at hand in the city. Micro-managing somebody else's investment should not be a priority for the council. Here is a complete list of what the council should be focusing on. 1. Get some business down at water street.
jcj
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 2:24 p.m.
Micro-managing? i wish I could enlarge the question mark! All the supposed "developer" had to do was meet the terms of the CONTRACT he signed and NOBODY would be in his business!
Craig Lounsbury
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 11:57 a.m.
Tough love. That's what the city should practice here. Send Stewart to his room without any supper and tear down his toy. "Beal recently announced that he was seeking investors to purchase shares in the building. " If that wasn't the final clue that this place needs to be torn down I don't know what is. I have said it before, that thing, what left of it no longer qualifies as anything historic. That historic building burned down.
Patty Bradley
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 11:47 a.m.
I just wanted to say thank you for this well-written and thorough article. It is good to be kept up to date on this situation. I say bag it. Beal is never going to complete this project. He needs another year to put on a roof? To get $2M from investors for "luxury lofts?" Historic or not, it's 4 walls held up by scaffolding, and it has been for years. Time to let it go, let someone else build something there.
Eduard Copely
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 11:44 a.m.
Beal's vision is short 2 million dollars or nearly double what it cost to get the Ann Arbor Skatepark built. While the A2 Skatepark received incredible support from the city, state, citizens, and city council, it is clear the Thompson Block project enjoys zero support and remains an incredible eyesore in an otherwise beautiful neighborhood. Enough.
Longtime A2
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 11:40 a.m.
You state in the article... Council Member Susan Moeller, Council Member Brian Robb and Mayor Pro Tem Lois Richardson did not attend. My question - where are these people. Lets elect some people that care and show up for events they so wanted when they ran for the position, if they were appointed, but do not want the role then step aside.
Ypsi Eastsider
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 4:58 p.m.
Those council members with jobs couldn't attend a special meeting called with little notice held during the day. Doh!
MGoYpsi
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 2:40 p.m.
I agree. Why are these elected Council Members never at meetings? The Mayor and Moeller weren't at the meeting that voted on the street light assesment either. When they do attend , some abstain instead of voting. Don't run for Council if you will not do the job.
Duc d'Escargot
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 1:55 p.m.
I, too, am very disappointed in my representatives on Council who could not find the time to participate in an important session.
local
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 11:28 a.m.
Beal signed an agreement to have it done by Sept. 1 of this year and he clearly didn't meet the agreement HE signed. Mr. Murdock is correct in the statements he is making and Beal must be held accountable. As for Schreiber, honestly their hasn't been a lot of new development anywhere in Ypsilanti, so I'm not sure how continuing to wait changes anything. And who says a park wouldn't add to the value in Depot Town? It could make the area more family friendly! I am guessing, but wouldn't a new developer probably knock the existing building down and start new anyway.
Ken
Thu, Aug 15, 2013 : 5:14 p.m.
Depot Town already has two large, very nice parks immediately adjacent to it- Riverside and Frog Island. Adding a vacant field with a "park" sign- Ypsilanti can't afford to maintain what it already has- would add nothing to the area. And while I agree that a developer should be held to his commitments, and the series of delays are frustrating, I don't think that pressing him on the issue and getting the city embroiled in a lawsuit over razing a building he's already spent a couple million dollars on, would inspire developers to line up to purchase the vacant lot from him to immediatly build something there. Until the economy turns around, I'd prefer to see a painted shell of a building than a weed and trash strewn vacant lot.
Rod Johnson
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 8:02 p.m.
Who wants Depot Town to be "family friendly," whatever that means?
dading dont delete me bro
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 11:11 a.m.
"In the abstract you would like to see the building refurbished, and blah, blah, blah," Thompson Block timeline Murdock said. "In reality, I don't think it's economically viable." when does the 'city' have an economically viable track record...? um, water street? i don't think the city has the responsibility to tell anyone something is a bad investment. if i want to keep throwing money at something, why can't i?
cmadler
Wed, Aug 21, 2013 : 2:38 p.m.
No, but the city does have the responsibility to tell someone that a structure is unsafe, and that it needs to be either made safe (repaired) or removed -- and to enforce the requirement to repair or remove such an unsafe structure.
Michael Roth
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 3:51 p.m.
We'll just pass the cost on to the residents, like the debacle that is/was Water St. It just floors me that there is no development on both H2O St and Thompson Blk blunders. For shame!
Gyll Stanford
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 2:47 p.m.
Good point. Let us see what get finished first; the Thompson Block or the Water Street development. City council better get going!
jcj
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 2:20 p.m.
The city DOES have a responsibility to see that it is DONE without endless delays!
Arieswoman
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 10:23 a.m.
There is just no end to this saga!