Detroit, MI

Pontiac-based asphalt company fails to overturn denial of project in Detroit

Published

3 years ago

May 17, 2022

Pontiac-based asphalt company fails to overturn denial of project in Detroit

Detroit zoning officers rejected a Pontiac-based firm’s enchantment to permit development of an asphalt mixing facility in northwest Detroit.

The town’s Buildings, Security, Engineering and Environmental Division denied Asphalt Specialists Inc.’s proposal in November to construct a 25-acre facility at 12155 Southfield Freeway, an space south of Interstate 96 close to Borman Highway that’s zoned for intensive industrial use. The corporate’s lawyer, Lawrence Walker, on Tuesday tried to overturn the choice however the Board of Zoning Appeals unanimously voted to uphold the choice.

Extra:Asphalt facility proprietor appeals Detroit undertaking denial amid neighborhood controversy

Walker advised the board that the Detroit constructing division and the Industrial Overview Committee — an advisory committee to the constructing division and the board that critiques, recommends and investigates numerous undertaking elements — had been to analyze a number of elements such because the environmental impacts and critiques of the proposed equipment.

“There aren’t any such studies relative to the Industrial Overview Committee and we all know that as a result of we requested for them,” Walker stated. “They didn’t make any investigation.”

Walker, who requested documentation of the investigation, stated that based on a response letter from the constructing division, metropolis officers didn’t present something in writing. The Industrial Overview Committee “solely depends on data despatched by the shopper,” Walker learn from the response letter.

“Effectively, that is fallacious. The Industrial Overview Committee is mandatorily required to make an investigation to not solely inform you, to tell town and never simply depend on what my shopper offers to them,” Walker stated, including that metropolis officers ought to have accomplished a deeper analysis of the undertaking.

Nonetheless, officers stated the undertaking doesn’t fall according to town’s grasp plan, which guides tasks in the neighborhood. Metropolis Planner Helen Sharpley stated the planning and improvement division really useful the denial to the constructing division in November.

“The zoning ordinance permits for a extra intensive use than the grasp plan recommends. The present grasp plan designation is IL, or gentle industrial, which incorporates areas that usually consist of business makes use of of low depth which have minimal undesirable results on adjoining residential or industrial land makes use of,” Sharpley stated.

Extra:Michigan’s poorer, minority neighborhoods change into ‘sacrifice zones’ for elevated air pollution

Opponents of the undertaking have, up to now, confused what could be a mixing facility with an asphalt plant or producer, which might contain extra intense heating operations that might launch particles, based on Walker. The proposed facility would have, as a substitute, combined and saved asphalt to be delivered to work websites.

The undertaking proposal detailed the method: Chilly feed bins could be loaded from stockpiles of on-site combination after which fed right into a drying drum utilizing a conveyor.

The drying drum would have a pure fuel burner on one finish to dry the combination and rotate to combine the elements to kind the asphalt, based on the proposal. Air from the drum would then get exhausted to a baghouse, flowing by filters, the place greater than 99.9% of particulates could be eliminated.

Filtered air would then exit “out of a chimney stack greater than 50 ft tall” and captured particulates could be recycled again to the drum, based on the proposal. As soon as combined, the asphalt would then be despatched by conveyor to silos to be saved.

Load-out areas for vehicles to obtain and ship asphalt would have been beneath the silos. The realm would have been “enclosed and ducted” to mitigate scents, the proposal reveals.

Nonetheless, operations such because the fuel burner and excessive truck visitors proximity to residents, significantly with well being situations, had been a priority to Nick Schroeck, affiliate dean on the College of Detroit Mercy and environmental regulation skilled.

“There can be some emissions although they’re going to attempt to management them with the baghouse. Then there will even be the fugitive emissions after they’re loading it on the vehicles. They’re attempting to include a few of that odor however there could be some leakage, some odor and a few fugitive emissions that would doubtlessly be dangerous,” Schroeck stated. “Over time, you get larger publicity and that elevates your danger of well being penalties.”

Dozens opposed the undertaking Tuesday throughout public remark earlier than the zoning appeals board and urged officers to uphold town’s determination. Former Detroit Police Commissioner Darryl Brown took purpose on the firm for doing “no matter they need” in the neighborhood.

“Be part of us in saying, ‘No to air air pollution, no to groundwater contamination, no to noise air pollution. … Save our lungs, save a tree and defend our kids,’ ” Brown stated.

A number of others cited issues of pollution swarming the air. However Walker questioned the proof of dangerous emissions.

“I heard numerous, ‘We don’t need as a result of they’re polluters.’ However the place is the proof of that? There is no such thing as a proof. Not one particular person stated we have now documented proof that it is a polluter or will pollute,” Walker stated. “There aren’t any dangerous emissions.”

The Board of Zoning Appeals was scheduled to listen to ASI’s enchantment on Feb. 15 however adjourned the assembly after failing to offer correct discover of the listening to’s particulars. Previous to the February assembly, dozens of activists held a information convention urging the board to uphold town’s determination as a consequence of environmental issues, regardless of the developer promising jobs equivalent to engineers, managers and drivers.

Dana Afana is the Detroit metropolis corridor reporter for the Free Press. Contact Dana: dafana@freepress.com or 313-635-3491. Comply with her on Twitter: @DanaAfana.

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Detroit, MI

Detroit-style pizza chain Emmy Squared slides into former Short Pump Burger Bach space – Richmond BizSense

Published

3 hours ago

January 16, 2025

Press Room

Detroit-style pizza chain Emmy Squared slides into former Short Pump Burger Bach space – Richmond BizSense

Burger Bach closed last summer after over 10 years in West Broad Village. (Mike Platania photo)

Another new-to-market restaurant chain is grabbing a slice of Short Pump.

Emmy Squared Pizza, known for its Detroit-style pizza, is preparing to open at 2225 Old Brick Road in the recently vacated Burger Bach space in West Broad Village.

The growing pizzeria brand’s geographic roots span various regions of the country. While it serves Detroit-style pizza, which is baked in a rectangular pan and is topped with cheese up to the edges for a crispy crust, Emmy Squared first opened in New York City in 2016 and is now headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee.

Emmy Squared Pizza serves Detroit-style pizza. (Courtesy Emmy Squared social media)

The company did respond to multiple requests seeking comment for this story. It recently applied for an ABC license for 2225 Old Brick Road and posted multiple job listings for a new Glen Allen location.

The Short Pump location looks to be part of a broader growth plan for the company. Emmy Squared has over 30 locations open or in the works throughout the country, including one in Charlottesville, and late last year it announced new C-suite leadership to “position the brand for its next phase of growth and innovation,” according to a news release.

Burger Bach closed in West Broad Village last summer after more than a decade in business, and in the fall it closed its Midlothian location. Its Carytown location, which is owned by a different group, remains open.

The building in West Broad Village to which Emmy Squared is headed is owned by Shamin Hotels and is anchored by Shamin’s Aloft Hotel.

Thalhimer’s Jim Ashby and Colliers’ Peter Vick and Harrison Hall handled Emmy Squared’s lease.

The bulk of West Broad Village’s commercial space was sold in 2022 to Florida-based CTO Realty Growth. Since then, the mixed-use center has seen a bit of restaurant churn. Ford’s Garage recently opened in the old MPM Tiki Bar, which came available after MPM relocated to the former Halligan space within West Broad Village.

Last year the former Kona Grill building was filled by Brazilian steakhouse Fogo de Chão, and West Broad Village also lost a longtime restaurant tenant in Carrabba’s, whose old home remains vacant.

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Detroit, MI

Detroit Pistons Guard Had Words For New York Knicks Fan

Published

11 hours ago

January 15, 2025

Press Room

Detroit Pistons Guard Had Words For New York Knicks Fan

Malik Beasley meant business in New York City earlier this week. As the Detroit Pistons faced off against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, Beasley got off to a hot start.

In the first quarter of action, Beasley checked in off the bench for five minutes. He made all but one of his five shots from the field. All of his makes came from downtown. Beasley produced 12 points as the Pistons got off to a 37-26 lead over New York.

The next two quarters were quiet for the veteran sharpshooter. Coming out of the half, Beasley checked in for three minutes. He landed just one point during that time.

When Beasley collected another four minutes of action in the third quarter, he split free throws and missed both of his shots from the field. Once again, Beasley produced just one point.

At that point, Beasley claimed he had heard a lot of chirping from a fan seated near the court. After the game, the guard revealed he had words for that Knicks fan after getting the last laugh in the fourth quarter.

“Shoutout to the Knicks fan,” Beasley told The Athletic. “He said I hit four threes in the first quarter and hadn’t done **** since. I was like, ‘Watch this.’ Got the ball, hit the three, cussed him out, then I got the second one.”

Although the Pistons had a small cushion of a lead going into the fourth quarter, the Knicks didn’t make it comfortable in quarter four. It was a back-and-forth battle, with Detroit’s game getting threatened in nearly every possession.

Cade Cunningham led the way for Detroit by scoring 11 points in his final nine minutes on the court. However, Beasley’s nine points, which included two very timely threes, created a dagger sequence for the Knicks. Beasley had every right to gloat at The Garden.

The Pistons made it back home to Michigan with a 124-119 victory. Malik Beasley once again proved to be a fantastic offseason pickup, as he scored 22 points in 17 minutes.

Overall, Beasley has produced 17 points on 40 percent shooting from three in 40 games. While he gets the occasional start for Detroit, the 28-year-old veteran has been a star off the bench.

More Pistons on SI

Former NBA Champion’s Two-Word Cade Cunningham Statement

Detroit Pistons’ Ausar Thompson First to Post Statline in NBA History

Pistons Guard’s Blunt Statement on Anthony Edwards’ Career-High

Detroit Pistons Making Series of Roster Moves Before Blazers Matchup

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Detroit, MI

Detroit-Washington game includes astronomical ticket prices

Published

19 hours ago

January 15, 2025

Press Room

Detroit-Washington game includes astronomical ticket prices

Lions players prepare for Commanders

Jennifer Hammond reports from Allen Park on Tuesday where Lions players met the media to discuss their upcoming matchup with the Washington Commanders in the NFC Divisional Playoff on Saturday night at Ford Field.

(FOX 2) – It’s become apparent that three things are guaranteed in life: death, taxes, and astronomical Detroit Lions ticket prices.

Sticker shock may have set in at the end of the season as the Lions clinched the NFC North division in the last game of the season when they played the Minnesota Vikings, but that hasn’t stopped the price from climbing.

With Ford Field set to host the team’s first playoff game this weekend, fans are discovering the cheapest prices for the Lions-Commanders game are higher than tickets to three other playoff games combined.

By the numbers:

Of the four playoff games taking place this weekend, it is the Detroit vs. Washington matchup on Saturday night that will break the bank the most. Here are the lowest prices, according to Vividseats:

Houston Texans vs. Kansas City Chiefs – $102
Washington Commanders vs. Detroit Lions – $418
Los Angeles Rams vs. Philadelphia Eagles – $201
Baltimore Ravens vs. Buffalo Bills – $123

It won’t come as a surprise that the cheapest tickets are ones on the upper deck near the endzones. For a spot closer to the field, prepare to shell out more than a thousand.

The cheapest seats aren’t the only way to gauge the cost of going to the game.

On the social platform X, ESPN’s Field Yates cited TickPick, which tracks ticket prices, when he said the average price for a ticket to the Lions game is $991 – making it the most expensive non-Super Bowl NFL game ever.

StubHub, another ticket reseller, said the Commanders-Lions game was outselling the second-best-selling game between the Ravens and Bills by 188%.

Dig deeper:

The discovery of expensive tickets is a product of having a successful sports team.

Some unsuspecting fans have gotten burned by scammers as a result. One fan lost $400 on Facebook after trying to purchase two tickets for himself and his son.

StubHub has some quick tips for anyone who does plan on buying tickets:

Don’t pay cash
Use a trusted service
Don’t share ticket barcodes on social media

Additionally, buyers should be wary of anyone on social media selling tickets – especially accounts offering bargains on tickets that appear to be too good to be true.

“The game between the Commanders and Lions has all the makings of a high-demand matchup – a team that just won its first playoff game since 2006 competing against America’s favorite team. It’s the hottest ticket of the weekend by far, nearly tripling the sales of the other divisional round games,” said Adam Budelli, a spokesperson with StubHub.

Detroit LionsFord Field

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