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| Lowe's gets OK for Middlebelt; Jan 18 update | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jan 19 2008, 10:50 AM (1,344 Views) | |
| Mrs.M | Jan 19 2008, 10:50 AM Post #1 |
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http://www.hometownlife.com/apps/pbcs.dll/...0/80118021/1027 Lowe's gets city OK for Middlebelt store by Alex Lundberg Plans for Lowe’s Home Improvement to replace the former Wal-Mart at the corner of Schoolcraft and Middlebelt have impressed the Livonia City Council, which will let the store bend a few of the city’s development rules. The home improvement store, complete with garden center, will be moving into the former Wal-Mart location and they’re planning to build a large facility. City Council members gave the OK this week. The company has secured a 20-year lease with several years of options to renew. They’re also doing a lot of things to the land. “We’re taking a vacant store and totally redeveloping it, we’re remediating a brownfield,” said John Gaber, an attorney representing Lowe’s. “We’re doing a significant upgrade to the site.” The company will also be pursuing some design elements that require the city to bend a few of its rules though it’s nothing, according to City Planner Mark Taormina, out of the ordinary. “The peaks of the building are probably eight or nine feet higher than the ordinances allow for,” he said. “But it’s comparable to other buildings at the lower points. It’s allowable.” He also said the light poles in the parking lot are taller than the city’s ordinances allow but that, too, is acceptable both because of the large size of the lot (577 spaces) and because the city has allowed Wal-Mart and the AMC 20 movie theater to do the same. The size of the lot will allow access to the store from three streets — Middlebelt, Schoolcraft and Industrial. Lowe’s Site Development Manager Tom Ebels said if everything goes correctly with construction, the grand opening could be as little as 13 months away. “I’m excited to see this project come in,” Councilman Brian Meakin said. “It’s good to replace an empty building so quickly.” Taormina said discussions with Lowe’s began shortly after the property was vacated by Wal-Mart. He said that the home improvement store was not the only player interested in the site, but it was the most serious about pursuing it. City Council President Laura Toy said she was excited, too. Getting a gap in the city’s front yard filled is important. “It’s very important to restore areas like that,” she said. “Blight sends a message to people.” That message, she said, is that something is wrong with what should be a major retail area. The corner of Schoolcraft and Middlebelt is a hub for the city, she said, and getting rid of an empty building near destinations like Home Depot, Costco and Meijer will keep that hub looking the best it can. alundberg@hometownlife.com | (734) 953-2109 |
| I'd agree with you, but then we'd both be WRONG. | |
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| Deleted User | Jan 19 2008, 11:11 AM Post #2 |
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This is great news. I am glad that building did not sit too long. BUT, this is my favorite part......COMPETITION!! That means good deals for you and I
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| BrokenRhino | Jan 22 2008, 10:37 AM Post #3 |
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No if the can just get rid something to go in at the long abandoned Chi-Chis lot. Anything, even a gas station would look better. |
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| tburr | Jan 22 2008, 10:43 AM Post #4 |
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I have heard maybe a Chili's would go there. Anyone else hear this?? |
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| BrokenRhino | Jan 22 2008, 11:17 AM Post #5 |
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I haven't heard this but that would be great. My wife and I love Chilli's and their slasa is great. The only problem I see with that is there is one at the new Wal-Mart site. |
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| FWIW | Jan 22 2008, 03:19 PM Post #6 |
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The former home of Farmer Jack's across the street from Livonia Mall (7Mile and Middlebelt) could use such a store. Bawaaaaa! I truly dislike that location where they decided to open up. Truly tacky! I won't be going there very often. I love Costco but don't like their location either. And I never, ever went to Malmart - but them I will never go to a Walmart where ever it is. I love Lowe's but won't be going there. YUK! So sorry to hear that decision. |
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| Lookingforward | Jan 29 2008, 10:37 AM Post #7 |
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Sounds like you have a problem with the south end of Livonia. Why is that? |
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| goodheart | Jan 29 2008, 06:01 PM Post #8 |
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With the ridiculous price of gas I will be thankful to any retailer who is willing to build on the I-96 Middlebelt corridor. I wouldn't call it tacky, and find no need to drive to Northville or Westland when these stores are nearly in my backyard. Frankly, I like the Costco. WHat excactly is your problem with that corridor? Perhaps the clientele it draws from other cities? |
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| FWIW | Feb 4 2008, 01:01 AM Post #9 |
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There's a Home Depot already close to that location. The 7 Mile - Middlebelt area needs a good business that could draw some people and new businesses to that district. Why have a Home Depot AND a Lowe's at almost the same location? The traffic and parking in that I96- Middlebelt area is pretty lousy. It's too close to the x-press way. And that location doesn't need another big box business but 7 Mile & and Middlebelt sure does. Right close to there is a strip mall that is all but empty! maybe businesses would consider moving there is there was a Lowe's or something real close. |
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| crazy_cat | Feb 4 2008, 09:32 AM Post #10 |
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If you look at the police reports in the Observer, there is a lot of crime at that Meijers/Costco at I96 and Middlebelt. There have been many purse snatchings in the parking lot and of course, shop-lifting. Safer to go to Costco on Haggerty IMO. |
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| tburr | Feb 4 2008, 10:05 AM Post #11 |
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Crazy, I am not doubting your opinion, but please don't forget that several years ago, a man was stabbed to death by a shoplifter at the 8 mile/ Haggerty Meijer. You may be more aware of / read about crime that occurs in the Middlebelt & Schoolcraft area, but the 8 & Haggerty Meijer is in Northville and the police blotter for Northville is not published in the Livonia Observer. |
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| Nikki | Feb 4 2008, 10:14 AM Post #12 |
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I agree. I believe the old Walmart had problems as well. I think the location---with it's quick access to the freeway----is a contributing factor to all the crime in that area. |
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| crazy_cat | Feb 4 2008, 01:34 PM Post #13 |
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I agree with that. I have heard (and read) very little about crime at the new Walmart location. No criminal could make a quick get-away at 8 Mile and Haggerty! |
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| IDK | Feb 4 2008, 07:20 PM Post #14 |
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Actually the Meijers at 8 and Haggerty has a big problem with crime. Last I heard they give some kind of compensation to the locate police dept for the increase in workload. |
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| Rocky | Feb 4 2008, 09:55 PM Post #15 |
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Correct IDK, the Northville Meijer has had significant issues particularly in the parking lot including drug activity, theft, assault and other crimes. Convenient access to I-275 has always been the excuse. The stabbing death that occurred many years ago was a store security officer (and aspiring police officer) who was killed when he approached a punk who was shoplifting in the store. While this is not a common situation, it highlights the fact that all areas can be subject to crime, Middlebelt and Schoolcraft is not unique. I am glad that Lowe's has decided to take the old Wal-Mart property, it is a highly visible corner of the city and the fact that a retailer came to the city so quickly to fill it is a good thing. |
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| Mrs.M | Feb 4 2008, 10:24 PM Post #16 |
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I think Lowe's will mean the demise of the nearby Home Depot. At that location Lowes will be more easily accessible than HD and within a couple years I believe a large warehouse will sit silently east of Costco. I understand the competition thoughts. |
| I'd agree with you, but then we'd both be WRONG. | |
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| crazy_cat | Feb 4 2008, 10:31 PM Post #17 |
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I think Lowes and HD can co-exist. |
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