HAZEL PARK, Mich. (WXYZ) — A major overhaul of Hazel Park's downtown is in the planning stages.
A multi-million dollar plan will wipe out the city's biggest eyesore – a vacant building that has stood for 10 years, meanwhile the city plans to overhaul the city’s streets that run adjacent to the soon-to-be renovated property.
“It fits well with the restaurant district we’re trying to create there,” explained Ed Klobucher, the city manager.
Check this out! @cityofhazelpark is preparing for a transformation -- a @cvspharmacy has sat vacant for nearly 10 years! Now it'll soon meet a wrecking ball and become mixed-use apartments/shops/restaurants. Live report at 6:30a on @wxyzdetroit CC: @OakGov pic.twitter.com/IQVZQPQLq0
— Matthew Smith (@MattSmithWXYZ) May 22, 2019
According to Klobucher, the building was left vacant after CVS Pharmacy moved on from the property. The city had few options to motivate the owner to renovate the property so it sat for an extended period of time, but a change is on the horizon in the form a mixed-use building that includes 33 apartments with room below for shops or restaurants.
“I have always seen the vacant building,” said Linnon Varnes, who lives nearby and walks by regularly. “I think it ought to be torn down.”
Varnes, and locals, will soon get their wish. Meanwhile, the city is performing what Klobucher called a “road diet.”
Construction work on John R between 8 Mile and I-75 has already begun. Eventually they’ll overhaul the road all the way to 10 Mile shrinking the drivable portion from four lanes to three while creating a turn lane in the middle, and bike lanes on each side of the road.
“It’s a busy year for us,” said Klobucher.
The change is starting to happen even before the wrecking ball swings. 7 Action News spotted electricians in a building that was vacant next door, too — according to one worker, it will eventually be a brewery and barbecue restaurant. The facade is already going up improving the lime green cinder block walls that drew attention to the empty structure just months ago.
The hope is that Hazel Park can continue to grow the area into a walkable, bikable downtown neighborhood. Similar moves have brought nonstop foot traffic to areas like Royal Oak and Ferndale, but the creation of apartments is especially key. It not only brings people to the doorstep of business like Mabel Gray and Joe Bar, but it grows residential housing — something Klobucher admitted the city has run out of space to create more of.
“We’re pleased to bring some good things to our residents,” he said.
