Mount Clemens looks forward to construction projects to enhance business climate - The Macomb Daily

Mount Clemens looks forward to construction projects to enhance business climate - Macomb Daily

A revitalization project for a building dating back to Mount Clemens’ heyday is the talk of the downtown community, observers say.

And there is a whole lot more construction headed to the county seat next year.

The work is on a building that formerly housed Fox Portrait Studio at 27 N. Main Street across from the Macomb County Circuit Courthouse, where people coming into and out of the court have been watching its progress.

“It’s created a tremendous buzz down here,” Michelle Weiss, a coordinator for the Downtown Development Authority, said last week. “Everyone wants to know what it’s going to be.”

Crews from Harrison Township-based Understone Construction have been working to reface and powerwash the exterior walls and remove tiles when they discovered the brick design. The architecture is being appreciated by those hungry for revived old-time appearance.

Among those are former circuit court Judge Mark Switalski and his wife, Jodi, who unveiled their own makeover of a 1800-era building down the street on Macomb Place for the two-story Switalski Law offices.

“Mark and I remain very excited to be a small part of the incredible synergy that is Mount Clemens and sincerely appreciate that (owner Gaetano “Guy”) Rizzo seems to be respecting the beauty of the original building while upgrading the structure within,” Jodi Debbrecht Switalski said in a statement.

The couple teamed up with building owner Joe Nahas, president of American Tradition Custom Builders, to create a sleek-looking office to the city, which is primarily composed of older building stock.

The former Oakland County district court judge and Macomb County assistant prosecutor added: “Can’t wait to learn what Rizzo has in store and look forward to new neighbors.”

Rizzo, a longtime area builder, did not respond to a request for comment.

Mount Clemens Mayor Laura Kropp said Rizzo’s plans include converting the upstairs into a pair of lofts and making the first floor into either a restaurant or retail use. Right now, he doesn’t have a tenant lined up, Kropp said.

According to assessing records, the 6,620-square-foot building was constructed in 1890.

Rizzo’s RFT Group LLC purchased it this past July for $380,000 from Prime 1 Investments, headed by Oakland County attorney Ramy Sesi, records show.

Over the years, the building has housed businesses such as Ray’s Shoes and ABC Magic Shop. A former nightclub owner in recent years had planned to open a bar there, and was in the process of remodeling the interior, but later withdrew.

More construction coming in 2024

Meanwhile, Mount Clemens city officials are busy preparing for several other “high dollar and transformative construction projects planned for 2024,” the mayor said.

Those include:

- A $1.6 million plan to improve the walkability and the overall business environment for Cherry Street Mall. Plans call for a number of improvements to Cherry Street, starting at the Fountain Stage on Macomb Place to the Three Blind Mice Irish Pub and making the mall area more user-friendly.
- A rebuilt New Street Parking lot that will provide a “plaza-like” appearance.
- Demolition of the dilapidated and vacant Victory Inn hotel on North River Road near North Gratiot Avenue and replacing it with a $20 million-plus residential development in a partnership between the city and Manchester Mt. Clemens LLC.

Work on the Cherry Street Mall is expected to begin in April when crews will remove bumpy roads, crumbling curbs, remove existing brick pavers and relocate the Fountain Stage.

“We believe this transformational project will increase traffic in the downtown and showcase the heart of the downtown area,” Kropp said during her recent State-of-the City address.

The $5.2 million price tag includes a $3.2 million congregational appropriation secured by Republican Congressman John James of Shelby Township and $813,000 from the Michigan Economic Development Corp.

Kropp said a lot of infrastructure work for drainage and electrical items — things that have long been on the “want-to-do list” but lacked financing — will finally be addressed.

“Businesses and residents have long been asking how we can make downtown look fresh again,” the mayor said. “This is how we intend to do it. And given that we are an ‘art city’ we are keeping an eye out for cool design elements.”

Special events will go on — in new locations

Officials plan to release a timeline on the construction in the coming weeks. They also are working on plans to keep shoppers and diners aware that area bars, restaurants, and shops will remain open during the roadwork.

The work also will not stop special DDA events such as the Made in Michigan festival or the summer concerts. Those will be held in temporary, new locations.

Weiss, the DDA coordinator, has two manila folders packed with news and journal articles on promotions to keep businesses open during the upcoming work. She said trying new locations will give visitors a chance to check out other areas of Mount Clemens.

“We’re thinking of having a day where business owners all wear hard hats and have special discounts and promotions during the heavy construction,” she said. “We got them through COVID, we’ll get them through this.”

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