Page 4 - From The Desk Of Robert J Cannon

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FROM THE DESK OF ROBERT J.CANNON, SUPERVISOR – 4
South Gratiot Redevelopment
Groesbeck Highway - Ripe for Redevelopment
One of the first projects of Robert ‘Bob” Cannon when he became supervisor was formation of the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and a Tax Increment Finance (TIF) Plan. State statute allows DDA to help prevent actual and potential deterioration of property values and encourage economic activity and growth in a specified area. The area specified is Gratiot Avenue from 14 Mile Road north to Wellington Crescent. DDA’s under a TIF plan capture the annual tax revenue increase within the DDA boundary from year to year so it can implement a work plan and make improvements.
Since its inception in 2003, the DDA has completed three major projects using TIF money. The first is LED street lighting placed in the median of Gratiot Avenue to make the DDA area safe, bright and
inviting. Second, is a contract for the installation of trees, flowers and woodchips in the median on Gratiot Avenue to enhance the median green space and make the corridor more inviting. Third, the DDA installed new electronic entrance/message signs at the north and south ends of the DDA within the median to clearly delineate the DDA boundaries. Successful negotiations with the Macomb County Department of Roads resulted in the south Gratiot median grass cutting being taken over by the Township’s DPW Department. “The median was not often cut. By having our DPW perform the grass cutting, we were in control of how it looks,” said Robert Cannon, Clinton Township Supervisor.
In 2019 a new DDA Plan had to be adopted when it was discovered the current Tax Increment Finance Plan and DDA Work Plan had expired without any extension.
The immediate goals of the DDA include maintaining the landscaping and street lighting investments. They also plan to roll out a new Façade Improvement Program to enhance the corridor and to generate additional tax revenues and promote the annual Gratiot Cruise. This program will encourage improvements to building facades compliant with design guidelines and placement of additional landscaping by private property owners.
We have targeted Groesbeck Highway as a reinvestment opportunity and retained MKSK to help create guidelines for improvement. MKSK is a collective of planners, urban designers, and landscape architects who are passionate about the interaction between people and places. The township has also hired a full-time Economic Development Director whose main focus will be Groesbeck and Gratiot redevelopment.
Groesbeck Highway has undergone many changes over the last 10 years. Economic swings and the evolution of online shopping led many industrial and commercial companies to vacate properties along Groesbeck. The majority of Groesbeck is and has been zoned industrial with some intersections at 15 and 16 Mile Roads zoned commercial.
Several big box businesses have closed including K- Mart (all stores closed nationwide), Kroger at the Parkway Shopping Center, Save-A-Lot (many stores closed nationally) and the Fountainview Lanes Bowling Alley. It has proven quite difficult to get tenants for these extra large spaces known as big box stores. “I can assure you, our Planning Director, Bruce Thompson and I have contacted many prospective tenants including Wal-Mart, Holiday Market, Westborn Market, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Spartan Nash, Meijer, Kroger, Pet IQ, Meridian Health, Michigan Secretary of State, Chick-Fil-A, Big Lots, ABC Warehouse, Ashley Furniture, Crunch Fitness, Bob’s Discount Furniture and BJ’s Warehouse,” said Clinton Township Supervisor Robert Cannon.
“We were excited to welcome to Groesbeck Highway Hunt’s Gymnastics who relocated from Harrison Township and a new Captain D’s Fish Restaurant, the first in Michigan, that opened this summer amid the corona virus pandemic both occupying existing buildings”, said Cannon. Other new businesses along Groesbeck include Pahoa
Transport north of 16 Mile Road, Free-LED, Inc. Lighting, Michigan Specialty Steel, Global Granite and Stone Design, the Twisted Leather & Threads Shop and remodeled KFC, McDonalds, Taco Bell, Tim Horton’s & Wendy’s Restaurants.
In looking at the potential to keep and attract new investment, MKSK found the Township’s Groesbeck corridor to be lacking in cohesiveness, walkability, and aesthetic value. “Applying design guidelines consistently will add value to businesses on Groesbeck,” said Bruce Thompson, Clinton Township Planning Director. “Overall aesthetics and consistent design will improve the experience of visitors, the employees working in businesses, and increase the safety of those traveling up and down the corridor,” he said.
The objectives of the M-97/ Groesbeck Highway Design Guidelines are to:
• Provide for functional, attractive new development and redevelopment of sites,
• Encourage reinvestment in vacant and underutilized properties, while establishing pride in ownership,
• Enhance the public realm and pedestrian experience through aesthetic improvements, and Provide a transparent and consistent framework for decision-making.
The guidelines will apply to all new developments and substantial building expansions, alterations, or major changes in use that increase the intensity of use such as traffic, more parking, noise and other external impacts in the study area. Guidance for landscaping includes buffer walls and screening. Redeveloped building design guidance covers size and place on site, materials, lighting types, signage and style. For more detail about the Groesbeck Corridor Study go to clintontownship.com.
THE GRATIOT AVENUE
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ABSOLUTELY ENDORSES
ROBERT J. CANNON FOR CLINTON TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR
Classic Gratiot Car Cruise
This classic car cruise has become an August expectation annually. It is the biggest and best event on Gratiot Avenue and a summer tradition. Instigated in 2003 by Supervisor Robert Cannon, a cruise committee of area businesses, residents and car enthusiasts received approval from the Clinton Township Board to proceed.
Classic cars, food, music, vendors, a family midway and various events are hosted along the almost 3 mile cruise route and over 250,000 people attend. All costs are funded by the cruise committee through donations and sponsorships. This year due to the COVID pandemic the cruise was cancelled. It’s expected the Gratiot Cruise will resume in 2021.
Code Enforcement
What is code enforcement? Code enforcement supports and enhances quality of life, while working to keep aging buildings, homes and properties from becoming “eyesores.” Every community faces struggles with vacant buildings, trash, tall grass and weeds, graffiti and inoperable vehicles.
Based upon recommendation by Robert Cannon, Clinton Township Supervisor, the Board voted to freeze their recommended pay raises and put it toward hiring an additional code enforcement officer. “Due to the lingering affects of the recession it’s necessary to step up code enforcement. The Board was in total agreement with my recommendation that the wage freeze pay for this additional officer,” said Robert Cannon, Supervisor.
Rules and laws governing the use of private property are intended to protect the public health, safety, and welfare of all citizens. The Clinton Township Building Department is responsible for enforcing Township Ordinances, State Building Codes, and Property Maintenance Codes. Each ordinance contains penalties that may be imposed when a property owner refuses to correct a cited violation.
Who may file a complaint and when may it be filed? In Clinton Township any citizen may file a complaint if they observe conditions, uses of property, or structures they suspect are improper. Complaints can be anonymous.
How is a complaint filed? Except when an immediate hazard exists, compliance actions usually begin with a citizen written complaint or e-mail. The form for filing a complaint is at clintontownship.com/building-complaint.html or at the Building Department office.
What happens once a complaint is submitted?
Except where an immediate threat to health and safety exist, initial inspection of the site will normally occur within 10 business days. Resolution can take weeks, months, and sometimes longer depending upon the complexity and legal ramifications involved.
At times when a property owner refuses to comply, the township must file an action with the court. Code enforcement officers must be able to observe the alleged violation otherwise obtaining compliance becomes more difficult.