Notice to neighbors: Georgetown Mall owners considering mixed-use redevelopment for site
AnnArbor.com files
A redevelopment plan appears to be in the works for the former Georgetown Mall site on Packard Road in Ann Arbor, based on a notice sent this week to neighbors of the property.
“A new mixed-use plan is currently being considered for the existing Georgetown Mall site,” according to the notice.
The notice says there will be a meeting from 5-6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 10, at the Malletts Creek branch of the Ann Arbor District Library to discuss a proposed site plan.
Also mentioned in the notice: the site’s “potential as a Brownfield redevelopment site.”
"It really is quite surprising," said Mary Krasan, who's organized residents in the Georgetown neighborhood to monitor the property. "I was readying myself for the long haul."
The notice was from Harbor Georgetown LLC, the Bloomfield Hills-based owners of the property.
Last spring, Harbor Georgetown averted a tax foreclosure on the 6.5-acre property after a complex series of transactions that resulted in payment of $517,000 in unpaid back property taxes.
At that time, $300,000 in back taxes were still due. As of today, the base delinquent tax amount is $277,036, according to the Washtenaw County treasurer's data. The total due by Dec. 30 is $349,871.
The mall has been vacant since Kroger closed its store there in fall 2009, leaving neighbors and both city and county officials concerned about the condition and future of the property. Regular meetings have been held among those groups and the owner's representative.
City development processes call for developers to meet with neighbors within 1,000 feet of a property before submitting site plans.This notice appears to fulfill that requirement.
In 2007, Craig Schubiner - managing partner of Harbor Georgetown LLC - proposed a tear-down of the existing mall, which was to be replaced with 90,000-square-feet of retail space in three buildings. That was approved by the city.
Then in 2008, he explored $30 million plans for a mixed-use redevelopment that was to include a 45,000-square-foot grocery, underground parking, small retail spaces and up to 150 apartments. Those plans included brownfield financing.
Schubiner, responding to an email request for information on the meeting, said: "We'll provide detailed information at the meeting and we're looking forward to receiving input from the neighbors."
The condition of the property today is stable, Krasan said.
Schubiner and his representatives responded to mowing requests and concerns about keeping vagrants from the building, she said.
"And neighbors keep a close eye on it," Krasan added.
But the future of the site remains a concern, she said. The property is surrounded by residential properties, including single-family homes on the north and south and the Georgetown condos to the west.
"The people that it means the most to," Krasan said, "to get something beneficial are the neighbors. Even though we want something in there, I think we're all still willing to fight for the best thing possible."
Comments
Richard
Mon, Jan 3, 2011 : midnight
I live within a half a ile from the Georgetown Mall. I never received a notice about a meeting on Jan. 10. Apparently 1/2 mile isn't considered to be in the neighborhood.
Killroy
Thu, Dec 30, 2010 : 5:39 p.m.
Tear it all down and create a beautiful park or rec center. Heck, put the skatepark there?
Brian Kuehn
Thu, Dec 30, 2010 : 5:24 p.m.
@Atticus F. - You may have missed my earlier inquiry as to the source which provided you with the following: "John Q, the truth of the matter is that Ann Arbor has the highest failure rate for business of any city in Michigan." Is there a link to a report or study? Or was that comment merely an opinion?
Atticus F.
Thu, Dec 30, 2010 : 2:21 p.m.
I'm also suprised that Gepetto's Pizza wasn't on the list.
Atticus F.
Thu, Dec 30, 2010 : 2:17 p.m.
Thanks Ed! Thats a cool link that brings back alot of memories. I wish I could go back and eat at some of those places. Delongs and China On The Run were staples. Although I'm bummed not to see Zanzibar or Lovin Spoonfuls on the list...those were 2 of my favorite places in A2.
Atticus F.
Thu, Dec 30, 2010 : 1:45 p.m.
What about Taco Bob's? Bill's Market? Subway? The sushi shop next to Campus Corner? Taste of Italy? Double Focus? The Cafe that was were Packard Pub is? You people seem to have a great memory of all of the places that survived. But it's funny how you have a selective memory of all of the busineses that have failed.
Monarch Ridge Hill
Thu, Dec 30, 2010 : 11:22 a.m.
Ann Arbor (in general) has always tried to grow responsibly, especially when compared to other cities in Michigan (Ypsi makes my head hurt...), but to allow this space to be empty for so long is totally irresponsible. People want a local source for shopping and such. I'm not saying that some big-box store should open up, but some decent mixed use development would only serve to aid the local economy and living situation.
Matt Whale
Wed, Dec 29, 2010 : 9:53 p.m.
I went into the Georgetown Krogers and I thought it was nice. I now go into the Krogers on Stadium. When they close the bridges the detour will be up Industrial. That will take away some of the shoppers that go there now because of the detour. I say rebuild the Krogers in Georgetown.
CincoDeMayo
Wed, Dec 29, 2010 : 5 p.m.
It is a great location with great topography. What was so nice about Georgetown is that it had all the essentials for the nearby neighborhoods: a grocery store, a drug store, a post office, a dry cleaner, a tailor and, of course, the pizzaria. Right now the Kroger on Stadium and S. Industrial, as limited as it is, is picking up the slack of the Georgetown Krogers; it is serving far more at this point than just the neighboring UofM population. However, it is not big enough to serve both the Georgetown community and the nearby UofM community in an effective manner. I am optimistic about the Georgetown site just because it is smack in the middle of several stable neighborhoods that gave a lot of business to those Georgetown Mall shops. It wasn't the lack of business that did that mall in; it was the financial instability of the new investor.
Killroy
Wed, Dec 29, 2010 : 3:04 p.m.
Another Gardner White would be perfect!
J. A. Pieper
Wed, Dec 29, 2010 : 2:54 p.m.
I live in the neighborhood, have for years. I miss the businesses because it was a place to run into friends, neighbors, it was a community "place" - I would love to see some kind of grocery store, Aldi's maybe?
simply amazed
Wed, Dec 29, 2010 : 2:21 p.m.
Not sure how the subject got onto Tubby's from Georgetown Mall, however, I was just at the neighborhood center on Washtenaw last week (won't say why) and parked right in front of what "used" to be the Tubby's. It now has a sign in the window that says Sottini's. So no more Tubby's. Gonna have to go to Izzy's for that cheese steak hoagie.
Ron Granger
Wed, Dec 29, 2010 : 12:39 p.m.
@Atticus F.: "The owner of (a succesful)Tubby's Subs in Ypsi tried to open a Tubby's at State and Hill about 6 years ago. The Ann Arbor location was gone in a year, while the Ypsi location is still open, and successful." -- I went to that Tubby's - ONCE. It was gross. What was I thinking? It was just another chain store, with the same bland corporate menu. Who cares? Why would anyone open a chain sub shop a few doors down from Mr. Spots and Pizza Bob's? Ann Arbor is fortunate to have a lot of *great* non-chain sandwich shops. There are so many I love to patronize. The competition is intense. Why is it surprising that residents rejected Tubby's? It is unfortunate the owner's business failed, but in Ann Arbor, we want more than chain menu offerings.
Ron Granger
Wed, Dec 29, 2010 : 12:33 p.m.
@AA: "Ann Arbor is one of the worst cities in S/E Michigan to open a business. Too many rules, regulations, haphazard enforcement of building codes, ridiculous signage ordinances, high property taxes, etc." -- And yet, the formula seems to be working because Ann Arbor has one of the best economies in the state. We reject sprawl. We favor local businesses, not chain stores. Ann Arbor regularly ranks makes it on the lists of the best places to live in the US, the most educated, etc. The people who choose to live here do not want it to become another strip mall extravaganza. We don't want the chain stores, the big box utopias. You can find those anywhere. Yawn. If that is what you want, go to Dearborn, Livonia, Novi, etc. Many of us made jokes about the Kroger that was in this location, but we patronized it and we knew the staff. It was convenient. I look forward to appropriate development of that space.
John Q
Wed, Dec 29, 2010 : 11:23 a.m.
"John Q, the truth of the matter is that Ann Arbor has the highest failure rate for business of any city in Michigan." The truth? Where's your statistics to back up this "truthful" claim? "The Ann Arbor location was gone in a year, while the Ypsi location is still open, and successful." I ask for an example of business-friendly communities in SE Michigan and according to you, it's Ypsilanti?
Speechless
Wed, Dec 29, 2010 : 10:33 a.m.
Of course, detailed information may be lacking for nearly another two weeks. Given the glorious track record of Harbor/Schubiner, one has to wisely remain highly skeptical about the prospects until proven otherwise. Is there actually a formal proposal with genuine backing moving through the pipeline, or is this mainly a pipe dream exercise in smoke & mirrors? To help build any real confidence, Harbor should not only provide detailed information on the proposed architecture and arrangement of commercial and residental space, but also on project financing. Get very specific. Presumably, time will tell whether this new development concept really has anything going for it other than spoken claims — hopefully sooner rather than much later. Until then, let us optimistically christen it, in fashionable contemporary terms, with an idyllic, pastoral theme: The Brownfields at Bloomfield Park West.
C6
Wed, Dec 29, 2010 : 8:59 a.m.
@johnnya2: "Pizza Bobs has been there for over 20 years." Yes indeed. Way more than 20 years. I first wandered into the place in 1968 and found "Pizza Bob" Robert Marsh himself slinging dough and holding court there. I don't recall for sure, but the restaurant was probably still called "Pizza Loy's" at that time, but it all looked like it had been there, unchanged, for at least 20 years then. The name change to "Pizza Bob's" came somewhat after Bob Marsh passed away in the early 1970's as I recall, but the place still remains largely unchanged from the day I first came through the door, more than 40 years ago.
AlphaAlpha
Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 11:30 p.m.
Perhaps any decent proposed plans should be approved asap; the forecast next leg down in RE prices has begun, with another ~20% reduction in RE prices likely. The lower prices will stimulate strategic defaults; properties such as the one in this article are prime candidates for default. Along with millions of others...
AAmom
Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 11:26 p.m.
I'd LOVE to see a PAPA JOE'S move in there!! or somewhere in AA!
AlphaAlpha
Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 11:11 p.m.
Expect the new guv to attempt legislation to ease he way for MI municipalities to file BK. They can't now; some will need to. IN will likely have similar legislation enacted within days; many states should follow. Public employees electing not to reduce their pay may see it eliminated altogether contracts notwithstanding. The writing is clear...
Sam
Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 10:52 p.m.
I would like to see a Gentlemen's club put there.
tosviol8or
Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 10:32 p.m.
@Vivienne: Now, don't take this as a pejorative, but... That story has been in Michigan newspapers for weeks, and you're just hearing about it now because that's how long it took to reach the NYT?! Now, that's "progressive"!
Vivienne Armentrout
Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 10:11 p.m.
I don't live in that area but if I did, would be very glad to see a new development there. "Mixed use" implies some services, which I hope is true. Keeping a dead crater of a space there doesn't seem to be beneficial to anybody. Anyone see the story about Hamtramck trying to go bankrupt? http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/28/us/28city.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=hamtramck&st=cse Ann Arbor has it pretty good from a stability standpoint.
Michael O
Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 9:29 p.m.
...and another point,why is it that walgreens or cvs will take over that space? why can't city council foster or actually get involved with promoting a locally based(multi-county)green grocer,or a combination of meat,dairy,whatever.City council seems less and less in touch.
Michael O
Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 9:12 p.m.
"notice to neighbors" love the headline 'lead in'...inflammatory and not condusive to serious journalism....anything is better than a rotting hulk that doesn't contribute to the city's tax roll.What do you think is going to open there?...a porno shop? It's a viable location for businesses.
Kristin
Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 9:07 p.m.
Anthonys please please come back! I miss good pizza.. please be a part of the small business locations.. I am too lazy to drive to the West side of town.
tosviol8or
Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 9:02 p.m.
Well, they've uttered the words that have every urban planner worth his AICP card salivating: mixed use. Now just throw in "walkable community", "vibrant downtown", "form-based code" and "design charette", and city council members will start selling their own body parts to supplement TIF dollars in the mad dash to get RFPs flowing.
Brian Kuehn
Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 7:22 p.m.
AAtticus F. - I am curious as to the source which provided you with the following: "John Q, the truth of the matter is that Ann Arbor has the highest failure rate for business of any city in Michigan." Is there a link to a report or study?
johnnya2
Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 7:01 p.m.
Interesting that he mentions the area where Tubby's used to be. There is currently a burger joint there that seems to be doing quite well. The former Big Ten Burrito (Now called BTB) is on that same strip doing well. Pizza Bobs has been there for over 20 years. Mr Spots also seems to do ok on that same street. Bell's Pizza has been on the corner of Packard and State street for as long as I have been in Ann Arbor. Maybe the reason the Tubby's failed is because Ann Arbor has plenty of local quality subs that are better or a better value than Tubby's. In fact, if I had the choice and was going to pick a sub in that same area Tubby;s would be LAST. I would go to Pizza Bobs, Spots, Bells, or Subway sooner than Tubby's. I guess any business that fails is the fault of the city where it is at in your world. With all these unsuccessful businesses because of the city. I would guess getting around downtown would be easy and there would be no business at all. Downtown must be a bunch of vacant store fronts. I guess Ypsilanti is where all businesses should locate now since Tubbys made it there.
mrk
Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 6:42 p.m.
Mixed use usually means there is some residential (condos) and some retail or other business. Also that Tubby's at State and Hill was TERRIBLE. It was there, on very expensive real estate, for a couple of years while I was in school and offered a terrible product. That's why it closed.
a2baggagehandler
Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 5:57 p.m.
I remember a Tubby's closing near Dearborn too.
Atticus F.
Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 5:22 p.m.
That was just one example sigdiamond. If you're still in doubt about viability of new businesses in A2, simply read the A2 Observer. They list a small handfull of the businesses that fail in A2 on a monthly basis.
Jane DeLancey
Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 5:13 p.m.
"worst cities in S/E Michigan to open a business"?? Not sure all the businesses successfully operating here would agree. For example, Georgetown Gifts seems to be doing just as well on Washtenaw. "mixed use plan"--I wonder what that could be? Jan. 10th will tell, I hope. Some kind of grocery would be nice. I'm always hoping for the return of something like Food and Drug Mart.
sigdiamond
Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 5:07 p.m.
The owner of (a succesful)Tubby's Subs in Ypsi tried to open a Tubby's at State and Hill about 6 years ago. The Ann Arbor location was gone in a year, while the Ypsi location is still open, and successful. I wish I had known this before I bought my house here. I...I just can't live in a city that can't support a Tubby's Submarines. My God...this calls into question everything I thought I believed.
timjbd
Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 4:56 p.m.
It's a Brownfield site due to the dry cleaner? Hmm. Should tear it all down and do a Kerrytown South.
russellr
Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 4:55 p.m.
I think we all should be so lucky that any business would want to come to Michigan. Lets think about jobs, a tax base to take some of the burden off residents. Lets think about some taxes for schools As far as the building being in the middle of a residential area I think that has been there about as long as the houses have been. People knew it was there when they bought a house there. So please don't discourage anyone from wanting to clean it up and make a business. It's a win win situation
Jeff Renner
Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 4:53 p.m.
Paula - You wrote, "City development processes call for developers to meet with neighbors within 1,000 square feet of a property before submitting site plans." Did you mean a linear distance, "within 1,000 feet," rather than an area (1,000 square feet)?"
Mick52
Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 4:42 p.m.
Geez, AA, lighten up a little. Sure A2 may be a hard town to do business in, a rich folk town, and a city with over the top parking fees, etc. But you have to give the city credit in that developers still find A2 an attractive place for development. Travel around a little and you will see far more empty store fronts in other towns than in A2. As long as they don't want the city to fund their projects....... So despite the oddity of some decision making, the people who live there support it and pay for it so all is not so bad. A true example of life in the USA.
Hot Sam
Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 4:31 p.m.
"""Alan Please read the article.""" Why? He may be running for congress:-)
johnnya2
Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 4:30 p.m.
So the fact that the businesses that were previously in Georgetown moved to new locations within the city MUST mean A2 is a bad place to do business? Or maybe the landlord refused to pay taxes in a timely manner (this is not debatable), refused to maintain and upkeep the property for tenants to thrive as a business (BEFORE Kroger moved the parking lot was like driving through craters). The landlord also seems to not know what he wants to do. He WAS approved to do something in 20007. he didn't do it. How does that make it an issue the it is tough to do business in the city? I would also say if you think it is so tough, then why does Ann Arbor have the lowest rate of unemployment in the state lower than any city in Ohio AND Indiana except for Bloomington, a city about 2/3rds the size of Ann Arbor. More of the same crap from right wingers who have the belief that low taxes means jobs.
Atticus F.
Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 4:24 p.m.
John Q, the truth of the matter is that Ann Arbor has the highest failure rate for business of any city in Michigan. The owner of (a succesful)Tubby's Subs in Ypsi tried to open a Tubby's at State and Hill about 6 years ago. The Ann Arbor location was gone in a year, while the Ypsi location is still open, and successful.
John Q
Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 3:55 p.m.
"Why do you think the owners of Arborland sent the AATA packing, a little payback for all the crap the city bestows on the small business person perhaps?" If this is true, it shows the cluelessness of the owners who didn't know the difference between the city and AATA. "Without a doubt, Ann Arbor is one of the worst cities in S/E Michigan to open a business. Too many rules, regulations, haphazard enforcement of building codes, ridiculous signage ordinances, high property taxes, etc." What's your example of the ideal place in SE Michigan to do business?
ferdcom
Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 3:52 p.m.
Alan Please read the article.
AA
Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 3:33 p.m.
Without a doubt, Ann Arbor is one of the worst cities in S/E Michigan to open a business. Too many rules, regulations, haphazard enforcement of building codes, ridiculous signage ordinances, high property taxes, etc. Why do you think the owners of Arborland sent the AATA packing, a little payback for all the crap the city bestows on the small business person perhaps? Anyone thinking about taking over that space better think it through long and hard. Maybe a doggy day care? Beware.
Atticus F.
Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 2:30 p.m.
I would love to see a grocery store there again! seems like a waste to have that area sitting vacant for 2+ years.