Drug Mart Plaza renovation brings Quaker Steak and Lube to Detroit Ave.
LakewoodAlive posted this image of the proposed project on their Web site. The bottom most drawing depicts the front of the building. Click on the photo for a larger view.
Quaker Steak and Lube will be an anchor tenant at the Discount Drug Mart Plaza, according to the project’s architect, who shared details of a major renovation planned for the property located across the street from the Lakewood Public Library on Detroit Ave.
Speaking tonight to the Board of Building Standards/Architectural Board of Review/Sign Review, the project representative said the entire structure is getting “a total face lift from front to back.”
In addition to refacing the building with brick, the plan calls for complete removal of the front walkway overhang, removal of all angled street parking spots, new landscaping, and sidewalk expansion. The rear parking lot will be totally resurfaced and restriped.
One planned improvement certain to cause some controversy is the addition of a two-story faux tower perpendicular to Mars Ave. One board member called it “unnecessary” and thought it would clash with the nearby library.
A planning dept. representative described the tower in positive terms has having a “lantern effect” in relation to the view from Mars, but wanted to be sure steps were taken to discourage it from becoming a pigeon roost. Overall, he described the project as a “huge step forward.”
Another potential design disappointment will be the absence of oversized front windows in the Discount Drug Mart section of the plaza. The developer explained Drug Mart gets “real antsy” about big windows due to maintenance and security issues.
The developer was receptive to a suggestion from the board regarding the proposed color of the brick siding. To add character and break up monotony, they asked him to make each storefront a different shade. “It’s very easy to achieve,” he replied, explaining it could be done at no extra cost.
Out of a concern for long-term durability, the board asked the developer to consider using precast concrete materials instead of EIFS, a synthetic stucco poorly suited for high traffic areas.
One board member asked the developer to put together an exterior lighting plan to make use of the “monumental southern exposure” along Detroit Ave. A building dept. representative requested that the developer take into account the panoramic view from the upper floor of the Lakewood Library, and figure out a plan to shield the rooftop HVAC mechanics from sight.
Executive Director of LakewoodAlive Mary Ann Crampton said she worked on the renovations plans with representatives from the development group Giltz and Associates, Inc. over the last 18 months and found them to be very responsive.
She was not satisfied with their early project renderings because they were “matchy to the iconic structures we have,” referring to the library and neighboring Masonic temple. “It was not real,” she said. “This is a little more authentic.”
Crampton is partial to the tower. “You can actually tell we have a downtown,” she said.
She is looking forward to utilizing the expanded sidewalks during the summer for live music as part of a program she’s calling “front porch concerts.”
The board accepted the developer’s preliminary plans, and will continue to review them and offer feedback, but will not give final approval for several more months.
One quick aside — it would be nice if the city posted the plans for this project online and encouraged public comment. They’ll never do it, but they should.
Update: Here are images of the approved drawings, and parking site design.
Approved drawings for Drug Mart Plaza renovation. Click on the image for a larger view.
Approved parking site plan for Drug Mart Plaza Renovation. Click on the image for a larger view.
GrafTech tearing down the barn
The board gave approval to GrafTech’s plan to tear down the prominent red brick building along Madison Ave. GrafTech representatives said the 110-year-old structure, also known as Building 19, is vacant and unstable due to a failing roof.
They explained a salvage expert from Chicago inspected the building and found it didn’t contain anything that could be recycled. The pine wood used to support the interior of the building, though old, was too soft to be reclaimed. Similarly, the bricks were deemed inappropriate for reuse as street pavers.
The board did take a firm approach with GrafTech and ordered them to rip out the concrete building pad and replace it with grass. GrafTech had hoped to get by on the cheap and leave the concrete pad in place.
Update: The building was demolished in June.
No love for Brennan’s Floral Gift Shop
For the second consecutive month, the board deferred approval of Daniel Brennan’s proposal for construction of a greenhouse/storage area at Brennan’s Floral Gift Shop at 13396 Madison Ave.
The board wants something with a higher-end look to it. One board member described the structure in the plan Brennan submitted as being “a big dumb box at the side of the building.”
Brennan and the board are having a tough time clearly communicating their ideas to each other. They suggested he meet with his architect and come up with a more detailed drawing.
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