Drakeshire Plaza Renovations 60-65 Percent Complete

Farmington officials approve a change order for the project, which needs some warmer weather to get moving again.

Renovations at Drakeshire Plaza, a privately owned shopping center that received assistance from the City of Farmington, are nearly two-thirds complete, city manager Vince Pastue told officials Monday.  City officials in October of 2012 narrowly approved an agreement with DIC Properties LLC to fund improvements on what has been a blighted and mostly vacant center. The DIC Properties is obligated to pay back the funds through an assessment.  During a Monday special study session, city council members approved a second construction estimate for the $335,600 contract with Richard Hyman Builders. It included a $2,980 change order; officials approved another $2,880 change order in December. "There's a little more rotted area than anticipated," …

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5 Big Changes Coming to Farmington in 2013

Look for big changes in downtown Farmington this spring and summer.

Actions that Farmington officials took in 2012 will drive some big changes in the community over the coming year.  Here's what you can look forward to seeing in 2013: Farmington officials have signed a special assessment agreement with the new owners of the T.J. Maxx strip center, located on the east side of Grove Street, to cover $600,000 of the $1.7 million Grove Street renovation project. The construction, which is fast-tracked and should be complete by June 30, will replace the concrete pavement with an asphalt boulevard, on-street parking, stamped concrete sidewalks and a look similar to the existing downtown Farmington streetscape.  Farmington Hills-based Manifold Ventures representatives say renovations planned for the strip center …

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First Thing Farmington-Farmington Hills

What Businesses Would You Like to See at Drakeshire Plaza in Farmington?

Now that construction has begun to improve the building's exterior, what should go inside?

The shape of a new façade is starting to appear at Drakeshire Plaza in Farmington, now that City of Farmington officials have approved an agreement to fix up the strip mall at Grand River and Drake.  Only two businesses – Subway and Hungry Howie's Pizza and Subs – remain in the center, leaving lots of spaces open for new business. What would you like to see go into the center? What businesses does the community really need?  Tell us in the comments, then take a look at what's going on in Farmington and Farmington Hills today. We've also included a list of events for which you'll need to register if you want to attend them later this week.  Check our calendar for even more activities, classes and events happening today and throughout the …

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Vision for Drakeshire Plaza in Farmington Centers on Walkability

The partners who purchased the shopping center talk about what they'd like to see happen after facade improvements are made.

Raj Immadisetty remembers a time when residents in his Farmington neighborhood had plenty of reasons to walk around Drakeshire Plaza, visiting stores and restaurants.  He and his partners in DIC Properties LLC want to bring that "walkable" atmosphere back to the shopping center, which fell into disrepair before they purchased it earlier this year. They shared that vision with city council members Monday, during a presentation requested after officials on Oct. 15 approved a special assessment agreement to fix code violations on the property.  Council members JoAnne McShane and Bill Galvin opposed the agreement, through which the city would issue $400,000 bonds that would be repaid over seven years.  Immadisetty stressed that the partners …

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Farmington Council Split on Drakeshire Agreement

While officials all said they support the idea of fixing up the blighted property, council members JoAnne McShane and Bill Galvin wanted to see more indications that the property owners will be able to pay back the $400,000 assessment.

Farmington city council members narrowly approved a plan Monday to fix up the nearly vacant and blighted Drakeshire Plaza strip mall at Grand River and Drake. In the 3-2 vote, council members JoAnne McShane and Bill Galvin remained unconvinced that DIC Properties LLC, which purchased the property earlier this year, can pay back the money within six years. Already, the city has adjusted the agreement so that the owners will pay interest-only for the first two years, while they get the center up and running.  City manager Vince Pastue explained that the city is protected, because if the property owner defaults, the property would go through a tax forfeiture process, so the city will recoup the money it invested. He stressed the purpose of …

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Hungry Howie's Opens Tuesday in Farmington's Drakeshire Plaza

The popular chain restaurant donates $200 to Neighborhood House as part of its ribbon cutting celebration.

Steven Jackson, Hungry Howie's president and CEO, says his company "likes to get involved" when moving into a community.  Northville residents Vijay and Nita Patel, owners of the new Hungry Howie's franchise restaurant at Drakeshire Plaza on Grand River in Farmington, have demonstrated that commitment, with a $200 donation to Neighborhood House. The non-profit maintains a food shelf and provides other services for area residents in need.  Neighborhood House board president Alan Maxey expressed appreciation for what he called "a very, very kind donation."  "It's support from the local community that really allows us to do what we do for all our local residents in need," he said during a Tuesday grand opening and ribbon cutting celebration. …

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