Development heads to downtown core

A redevelopment project at the old Winchell’s Donut shop is one of several that will soon be under way in downtown Wayne.

Projects approved Tuesday night by the Wayne Planning Commission will breathe new life into some long vacant buildings.

Commissioners unanimously approved new projects for the old Farmer Jack’s building on Michigan Avenue, the vacant Winchell’s Donut Shop on Michigan Avenue near Elizabeth Street and a section of store front along Wayne Road near Stevenson Cycle.

“It’s three big vacancies gone,” said City Planner Matt Miller.
The projects were three of the five site plans the commission looked at Tuesday night. The other two include a relocation of the League Styles to a spot on Michigan Avenue between Sophia and Clark streets and proposed renovations to the Wayne Towers. The senior high rise was recently purchased by National Church Residences (NCR) a non-profit agency that specializes in senior housing, for $7.4 million and plans $1.4 million in improvements there, according to James Baugh, director of acquisition and development for NCR.

“We’re going to keep this for senior citizens for at least 30 years,” he said.

The old Farmer Jack’s and Food Basics store will soon be a full-service grocery store once again, according to Zohair Ayar, who is bringing the Wayne Food Center to the location.

He and his family operate two other independent grocery stores, one on Seven Mile and McNichol in Detroit and one at Michigan Avenue and Holmes in Ypsilanti.

He said he hopes to have the store open by the end of August.
“We’ve been in there for two months already, cleaning it up,” he said.

Miller said the store would occupy the same footprint as the old Food Basics, and could sell beer and wine–a SDM permit is pending.

“There are a couple of special approvals that must be sought before they can bring that use to the downtown area,” Miller said.

The old Winchells will once again become a bakery, according to new owner John Ratcliff. The shop, Lia and TJs, will feature fresh donuts and other baked goods, along with soup and sandwiches and ice cream.

The head baker, Robert Reed, worked for Winchell’s in California.

“We’ve gone independent,” he said. They hope to have it open by the third week in August, too.

Post Smythe Lutz and Ziel, an accounting firm, has outgrown its building near Michigan Avenue and Wayne Road and will relocate a few blocks south on Wayne Road, according to Ron Traskos a partner in the firm with Kathy Billings.

He said the plan for the site includes a new brick facade and other improvements.

“It’s a great bargain,” he said. “We were able to buy the box and put perfume on it. We want to make it a nice, quality project.

“We’re excited about it,” he added. “We’ve been bouncing around (this) town since 1976. We think we’ll be quite comfortable.”

Commissioner Kurt Kuban said the improvement was needed.

“Sounds like a great project,” he said.

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Copyright © 2006 Journal Newspapers. All rights reserved.

Copyright © 2006 Journal Newspapers. All rights reserved.