Wednesday, January 2, 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 …
Monday, December 17, 2012
Officials will meet during a 6 p.m. study session with developers who play an integral role in the Grove Street streetscape project.
Farmington city council members will meet at city hall Monday with representatives from Manifold Ventures, new owners of a downtown Farmington strip center, anchored by T.J. Maxx, that is expected to be renovated in conjunction with the Grove Street streetscape project. Officials will meet with the representatives during a 6 p.m. study session, before holding a public hearing and considering approval of the $600,000 special assessment to which the company has agreed. The regular meeting agenda also includes: Time is also allowed for public comment on agenda items and on any topic. Full agenda packets for both meetings are attached to this post.
Monday, December 10, 2012
The vacant lot will be marketed with the hopes of finding a developer to complete Phase II of the housing project.
Farmington Downtown Development Authority (DDA) members voted Monday to authorize the purchase of vacant land located behind The Orchard condominiums at Slocum and Farmington Road. With a $90,000 price agreed upon, director Annette Knowles said, the property purchase could be publicly discussed. Originally proposed by Farmington Development Group, the 16-unit, two-story brownstone complex with underground parking was planned in two phases. Phase I, which faces Farmington Road, opened in 2005 and sold out in 2008. Phase II never got off the ground. The DDA will actively market the property to find a private developer who will complete the project as it was initially approved, Knowles said. Funds for the purchase will come from a …
42.46117
-83.37626
Slocum Dr & Farmington Rd, Farmington, MI
/articles/farmington-dda-approves-purchase-of-the-orchard-phase-ii-property
/locations/8355887
Monday, December 3, 2012
Salon Legato and Eye Spy Eye Care are also winners in the Farmington Downtown Development Authority's contest.
The Farmington Downtown Development Authority (DDA) has announced the winners of its "Winter Wonderland Windows" contest for downtown business owners. The Vines Flower & Garden Shop came out on top, winning an ad with a value of $500, in the Main Street Messenger, a newsletter mailed to 22,000 households in the Farmington/Farmington Hills area. A DDA press release noted the judges felt the window did the best job with a small space, was thoughtful and well-balanced, best at evoking the holiday spirit. “We were very excited to win first place. We decided to do something fun and whimsical this year," said owner Michele Hinds. Second place Salon Legato wins a one-year membership in the Greater Farmington Area Chamber of Commerce with a …
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Salon Legato
33318 Grand River Ave, Farmington, MI
/articles/the-vines-wins-downtown-farmington-window-decorating-contest
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42.464519
-83.375573
Eye Spy Eye Care
33308 Grand River Ave, Farmington, MI
/articles/the-vines-wins-downtown-farmington-window-decorating-contest
706161
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42.46438
-83.37526
The Vines Flower and Garden Shop
33245 Grand River Ave, Farmington, MI
/articles/the-vines-wins-downtown-farmington-window-decorating-contest
707178
/locations/8288464
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Even though sponsorship losses cut into expected profits, officials say they'll follow through on a commitment to use funds for new lights and banners.
Farmington city treasurer Chris Weber delivered some bad news to Farmington Downtown Development Authority (DDA) board members Monday. While the numbers aren't final, Weber said, this year's events have thus far lost $13,499. He said the Farmers and Artisans Market, Founders Festival and Rhythmz in Riley Park all made money, while Art on the Grand, Harvest Moon and Holly Days lost money. Weber said budget projections called for events to add $19,600 to the DDA's budget; instead, they are now projected to cost the organization a total of $34,890. DDA executive director Annette Knowles said "the single largest factor" in the losses were sponsorships. A few weeks before Founders Festival, for instance, Meijer cut its $30,000 sponsorship in…
Monday, October 22, 2012
The Farmington Downtown Development Authority board approves an agreement to lease the property to the Michigan-based chain.
A Michigan-based Mexican restaurant chain may be opening its newest location in downtown Farmington by Cinco de Mayo 2013. The Farmington Downtown Development Authority (DDA) on Monday approved an agreement to lease the former Dimitris restaurant at Grand River and Warner to the owners of Los Tres Amigos, which has nine locations in Canton, East Lansing, Jackson, Howell, Lansing, Mason and Michigan Center. Executive Director Annette Knowles said four proposals came in after the DDA purchased the restaurant property in July. The Los Tres Amigos proposal came in on Aug. 14, and the DDA submitted a counterproposal. The DDA executive committee reviewed that response Monday morning. "I have an email that says, 'Let's get this lease going,'" …
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
The reorganization creates a Community and Economic Development department and makes extensive changes to the Farmington Downtown Development Authority.
Farmington city council members unanimously approved a plan Monday that will ramp up economic development efforts, with big changes at city hall and the Farmington Downtown Development Authority (DDA). City manager Vince Pastue fleshed out some details of the plan he proposed at an Oct. 1 city council workshop, which would move DDA director Annette Knowles into a position as assistant to the city manager, with an office at city hall. The plan also includes a new Community and Economic Development department and comes with a price tag of $25,000. The plan was designed to address the city council's economic development goals, along with the challenges and opportunities the city faces, from aging shopping centers to the city and DDA budget …
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
The eighth annual competition's theme was "Remembering the 1950s".
From iconic movie creatures to beloved performers, the winners of the Farmington Downtown Development Authority 8th Annual Scarecrow Contest all went back to the 1950s to find inspiration for their entries. The judges' choices in each of four categories, announced Monday, are: Entries were on display Saturday in and around the Walter E. Sundquist Farmington Pavilion, as well as in front of participating businesses. Contest judges included 2012 Miss Farmington 2nd runner-up Grace Newlin, 2011 Miss Farmington Elise Newcomer, Kim Riley Fouts and Farmington-Farmington Hills Patch editor Joni Hubred-Golden. Did you have a photo of your scarecrow contest entry? Share it in our gallery, by clicking on the "Upload Photos and Videos" button. …
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John Cowley & Sons
33338 Grand River Ave, Farmington, MI
/articles/creatures-characters-win-downtown-farmington-scarecrow-contest
705534
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42.464962
-83.376464
Farmington Shoe Repair
23704 Farmington Rd, Farmington, MI
/articles/creatures-characters-win-downtown-farmington-scarecrow-contest
706103
/locations/8028983
42.464662
-83.375904
Korner Barbers
33342 Grand River Ave, Farmington, MI
/articles/creatures-characters-win-downtown-farmington-scarecrow-contest
706129
/locations/8028984
42.46361
-83.37343
Walter E. Sundquist Farmington Pavilion & Riley Park
Grand River Ave & Grove St, Farmington, MI
/articles/creatures-characters-win-downtown-farmington-scarecrow-contest
1800270
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Monday, October 15, 2012
Board members will meet at 5 p.m. to talk about the former restaurant property, located at Grand River and Warner. Today's video features the Farmington Elks, a charitable organization that supports a number of local causes.
UPDATE: At 3:30 p.m. Monday, Farmington DDA director Annette Knowles sent notice that tonight's board meeting has been cancelled. The meeting may be rescheduled, or the issue may be discussed at the board's Oct. 22 meeting. Farmington Downtown Development Authority (DDA) board members meet today at 5 p.m. to talk about what to do with the former Dimitris restaurant property at Grand River and Warner. Officials have said they will entertain either an owner/operator opening a "destination restaurant" or a redevelopment proposal that fits with the downtown Master Plan. Today's video features the Farmington Elks, a civic group that raises funds for youth scholarships, helps children with disabilities and supports programs for veterans, among …
42.47023
-83.35455
Farmington Elks #1986
30898 W 10 Mile Rd, Farmington Hills, MI
/articles/first-thing-farmington-dda-to-discuss-disposition-of-dimitris
1977696
/locations/8012195
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Two proposed construction projects will extend the existing streetscape theme to new areas of downtown Farmington.
A street improvement on Warner from Grand River to Thomas and a stretch of Farmington Road in downtown Farmington may get the "streetscape" treatment. Farmington officials say both projects would add on-street parking spots and would continue the themed elements of the existing Grand River streetscape. However, the Farmington Road project hinges on the winning of a federal transportation grant. During Monday's city council study session, Farmington Downtown Development Authority (DDA) director Annette Knowles told officials that while there aren't any guarantees, "we are positioned as well as we can be" to win the $713,000 grant. The total cost for the project will be $1.263 million. Knowles reviewed the proposal, which will close curb …
42.4649
-83.37646
Farmington Rd & Grand River Ave, Farmington, MI
/articles/streetscape-proposed-on-warner-farmington-road-possible-in-2014
/locations/7972217
42.46394
-83.37423
Warner St & Grand River Ave, Farmington, MI
/articles/streetscape-proposed-on-warner-farmington-road-possible-in-2014
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Jacob
10:48 am on Sunday, May 5, 2013
I agree with Isabel. Very interested in bringing Farm Hills up to speed with Novi and the surrounding area. I'm a business manager in the Farmington Hills area and would love to see a kind of "revival" in this area. Love the community but just wish there was something more... more ›