The Crossing/Shiwassee Senior Lofts
I found a site plan and a little more info on these projects in the 9/26/2016 Committee of the Whole agenda packet (pages 29-48).
The project is being developed by the Miller Valentine Group,they appear to be based out of Ohio. There will be two four-floor buildings of 77 units each with one building facing Shiawassee and the other sitting back on the lot.
Site plan
Another one of the developers projects given as an example of what to expect here
The project is being developed by the Miller Valentine Group,they appear to be based out of Ohio. There will be two four-floor buildings of 77 units each with one building facing Shiawassee and the other sitting back on the lot.
Site plan
Another one of the developers projects given as an example of what to expect here
Comments
- I notice that they are going to ask for a special land use permit instead of going through the rezoning process, and see that the condos across the street did the same thing. Is it just that it's a shorter process than going through the rezoning process? Always thought it was kind of weird this stuff still show up as Light Industrial on zoning maps instead of just requesting the zoning changed. Maybe it'd be difficult to go through the planning board to get something like this changed to residential because of its location on the railroad tracks? I need to read up on the process, but that's my guess. The council approves SPU's while a rezoning would require it going through the planning board and then to the city council, so you just cut out the middle-man.
- Is "workforce" a euphemism for low-income, here?
- I've always been surprised by the condos they built south of Shiawassee because I grew up a few blocks from here and the trains were loud (and you could feel the vibrations, even) from where I lived. I just can't imagine living right on an at-grade railroad line. It's never going to happen, but I've always wished the tracks traveled in a cut through downtown. I LOVE that the developers have a good sense of humor by naming the one closest to Shiawassee as The Crossing. lol Yeah, the railroad crossing.
- Finally, just glad to see something being built at this location as it seems Shiawassee has continued to be a barrier as if developers don't want to cross it because of the VOA. I'd definitely like to see this area developed more on the affordable end of things as opposed to what we've seen south of Shiawassee, but it needs to be redeveloped, nonetheless.
I'm also glad to see development crossing Shiawassee. I do hope that they incorporate at least some retail at Larch & Shiawassee though, it'd be disappointing if they didn't. I'd also prefer if they put The Crossing a little closer to both streets, but this site plan seems very preliminary so things may still change.