Downtown Adrian redevelopment plans continuing
ADRIAN — After receiving an enhancement grant from the state of Michigan in the amount of $15 million last year, which is intended to support the costs of removing blight, incentivize new residential development, and create new parks, open spaces, trails and other public amenities, the Adrian City Commission accepted some initial project proposals at its March 20 meeting.
The city is engaged with the SmithGroup, an international architectural, engineering and planning firm, to develop and design plans pertaining to the Downtown Adrian Riverfront vision plan.
The riverfront project was born from the city's 2019 Strategic Action Plan to reinvent downtown Adrian. The project aims for a “bold, new plan” for development along the South Branch of the River Raisin in Adrian. The plan includes new residential development along North Winter Street, new parks and open space, walking trails, public amenities and a renewed focus on the river ecosystem.
The project also aims to "Reveal the River" by providing visual and physical means of connection and appreciation to the River Raisin; building resiliency in Adrian’s economy, environment and infrastructure; and increasing urban residential offerings.
More:Downtown Adrian Riverfront plan gaining interest, traction locally and at state level
Two proposals of work were provided to the commission at its March 20 meeting and were ultimately approved. One of the proposals involves refining the vision for plans to redevelop the former Daily Telegram office building, 133 N. Winter St., the former Access Shopper’s Guide, 155 N. Winter St., and the former Eagles building, 205 N. Winter St. This includes a potential housing structure in that location along with a “streetscape” vision for Winter Street to reimagine that area to make it more like the rest of downtown Adrian and less like a corridor entering the downtown, according to Adrian City Administrator Greg Elliott.
The vision for the project was able to become somewhat of a reality when the former Telegram properties along North Winter Street were put up for auction in the summer of 2021 and were purchased by the Adrian Development Collaborative LLC. The company’s partners include Mark and Mary Murray, Brian and Mike Slusarski, Dusty Steele, Kirk Valentine, and Scott Westfall.
Redevelopment of other properties surrounding the proposed housing structure is also being considered. However, that step in the project’s timeline hinges on the city’s ability to work with the Citizens Gas Fuel Co., which owns property on both sides of the River Raisin. The intent, Elliott said, is to redevelop that area into parkland with a trail system along the river.
“They (Citizens) are amenable to parting with (the properties),” Elliott said during the March 20 meeting. “We have had some initial discussions with them about all parts of their site. I would say there is quite a bit of work left to do on that and so that design is really contingent upon making a deal with Citizen’s to get what will be future parkland along the river.”
The second proposal reviewed and accepted last week is a reimagining of Maiden Lane and the connection of Maiden Lane to the area that used to be the Jean Christopher building, which is now a vacant lot at the southeast corner of West Maumee and South Winter streets.
The vision for that area, according to Jay Marks, Adrian Downtown Development Authority executive director, is intended to look like an entrepreneurial ecosystem, consisting of small sheds where startup businesses can grow with the objective of them growing into standalone retail businesses downtown.
Pop-up retail is imagined in the area, Elliott added, along with walkability between those two parts of the block.
“That would tie into Maiden Lane making a green space and carrying all the way back to Main Street,” Marks said earlier this month. “We see maybe some public restrooms in that area as well.”
The proposal of work for the Winter Street vision was approved at a cost of $43,875. The concept plan for the Maiden Lane pedestrian extension was approved in the amount of $16,500. Both of the project costs will be paid to SmithGroup from the $15 million awarded to Adrian from the state. The grant dollars are being administered through Lenawee Now.
Both of the proposals contain quite a bit of community engagement, Elliott said. There is a series of steps based on community engagement in order for both projects to get off the ground, such as holding in-person community workshops, design drafting and editing, and collecting public input.
SmithGroup said it has a 60-year history of designing and engineering urban street, open space, waterfront and connectivity improvements, from master plans through project implementation.
“Projects completed in recent years have exemplified our expertise in integrating the natural environment, infrastructure, downtown fabric and economic development,” the firm said in its concept plan description to the commission. “Each project has successfully produced places that foster the culture of the region. This is possible through our dedicated team of leaders who provide expertise, close communication and a proven design process. We are excited to share with you our enthusiasm for high-quality and innovative design.”
Robert Doyle is the principal landscape architect for SmithGroup, and Allison Bishop is the project manager/planner. Both signed off on the proposed plans for the Downtown Adrian Riverfront project, which also aims to provide for river cleanup and to improve recreation and drinking water in the city.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Downtown Adrian redevelopment plans continuing
