Developer Needed for Mellus Newspapers Building

[lalynch]

Lincoln Park, MI –July 26, 2009 – Preservation Group Seeking Developers for Historic Mellus Newspapers Building

Lincoln Park Preservation Alliance is desperately seeking a developer to purchase two buildings from Lincoln Park DDA’s by a September 1st deadline or they will face the wrecking ball. Lincoln Park’s DDA has set forth a September 1st deadline for anyone interested in the Mellus Newspapers Building, 1661 Fort Street and the Pollak Building, next door, at 1667 Fort Street, Lincoln Park to come to them with a plan and financing. The buildings will also be on the August or September Dangerous Building Board agenda.

Lincoln Park Preservation Alliance got the Mellus Newspapers Building on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005. Their vision has been to see the Mellus turned into a retail incubator of a coffee house, art gallery and small business spaces and with Pollak as leased out for a sandwich, bagel shop etc. The buildings would be cheap to acquire with the Mellus also being cheap to renovate. The open floor plan of Mellus lends itself quite nicely to building studios or retail space. LPPA has had two architects in the building within the last two years that will back up the premise that the building could be cost effectively renovated. Tom Roberts AIA looked at the building for us two years ago. And Mike Kirk AIA looked at the building this past April. There are also tax credits available for these buildings with Mellus being eligible for the 20% Federal Historic Preservation Tax Credit and both buildings eligible for the Brownfield Tax Credits. And there is a possibility that they might qualify for the New Markets Tax Credits. If the buildings get torn down, it will be years before a developer is found due to the current economic climate and that there are no tax credits for vacant land.
From a planning standpoint, if the buildings demolished it will leave a void in the downtown area.

The Mellus Newspapers, owned by newspaper publisher William S. Mellus, was the local newspaper for most of the Downriver communities with The Lincoln Parker being the Lincoln Park newspaper from 1933 – 1985 when they merged in with Heritage Newspapers. They moved out of 1661 and 1667 Fort Street in 1986. The buildings have been vacant ever since. The buildings were purchased from the Mellus family in 1994. Lincoln Park Preservation Alliance, has done fundraising in hopes of purchasing the buildings. Although the Pollak Building isn’t recognized as historic, like Mellus, but it doesn’t make sense to tear it down if Mellus can be saved. The Mellus is a wonderful streamline modern building built in 1941. Pollak is your typical one story store front. The Pollak Building, once home to Pollak Jewelers but acquired by the newspaper at some point to use as an annex for their operations. And I understand that the male writers sat in one building and the female writers in the other building. Many of the writers went onto other newspapers such as the Detroit News and Free Press. Two former Mellus writers, Craig Garrett and Dennis Niemic, went onto write for the Detroit News and Free Press, respectively, and now work for Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano at Wayne County.

The Mellus is 4080 square feet with the bulk of it on the first floor. A rear two story addition was added in the 1950’s. Pollak is 1620 square feet and one story.
The cost to acquire the buildings is unknown but the Lincoln Park DDA bought both buildings earlier in the year for $90,000 as a package deal.

LPPA has 3 small business people interested in space in Mellus. They are seeking a coffee house person. For more information on the building read Jon Zemke’s March 2009 Metromode article http://www.metromodemedia.com/features/LincolnParkMellus0109.aspx . LTU College of Architecture and Design professor, Jim Stevens, grad level adaptive reuse class utilized Mellus for their class project this year. Jim presented the class teams presentations at the June DDA meeting.

A developer is desparately needed because the mood amongst most of the DDA including our mayor and city manager is that they want the buildings torn down. The city manager states that there is not a building in Lincoln Park worthy of restoration! The DDA attorney states they are health and safety hazard. He bases this on a feasibility study by engineering firm Dzuirman Associates PC . However, two years ago architect Tom Roberts looked at the buildings. He felt that the Mellus was structurally sound. Preservation architect Mike Kirk with Neumann Smith Architects was in the buildings in April. He said that Mellus is structurally sound and that as buildings go its not all that bad. He’s seen worse he said. And the only difference since when Tom Roberts was in the buildings and Mike’s visit is that there is two roof leaks in the front of the building. And that just developed end of the year / beginning of 2009 because the building had no leaks when I showed Zlati Meyer of the Detroit Free Press the buildings in October. That was the day after our spaghetti dinner fundraiser for it. And it rained that evening.

I’ve attached photos for your review.

Thanks,

Leslie Lynch-Wilson
President
Lincoln Park Preservation Alliance
Lincoln Park
313-598-3137

[crawford]

I wish them luck; this will be a tough one.

Given that Lincoln Park appears to be rapidly turning Mexican, perhaps this community could have some ideas for the property. LP will be a Latino community in a generation or two, and their needs should be considered for such an important piece of property.

[lalynch]

I wish them luck; this will be a tough one.

Given that Lincoln Park appears to be rapidly turning Mexican, perhaps this community could have some ideas for the property. LP will be a Latino community in a generation or two, and their needs should be considered for such an important piece of property.

Quite true Crawford. In fact, a new Mexican market just opened on Fort Street.
Any suggestions who I would contact from the Latino community?

[jams]

Good luck is right.

Mayor Vaslo came to my neighbor's house to "personally" view the conditions listed in the building inspectors report.

One of the citations was "overgrown weeds". He told my neighbor, the inspector was correct and the "weeds" needed to be cut down, as he pointed out my neighbors patch of ferns.

What I find ironic is, I bought ferns for my garden at the LP Meijers the week before.

There is no compelling reason to tear this building down just because it is vacant, Hell for that reason 2/3rds of the buildings on Fort north of Southfield should face that fate.

[lalynch]

Vaslo couldn't tell the difference between weeds and ferns?? Totally hilarious!!

[buildingsofdetroit]

Developer Needed for Mellus Newspapers Building

Get in line. Developers are needed for a ton of stuff around these here parts.

[lalynch]

Developer Needed for Mellus Newspapers Building

Get in line. Developers are needed for a ton of stuff around these here parts.

Very true. So how do we attract developers to Metro Detroit from other states and cities?

[lalynch]

Seeking a developer for the Mellus Newspapers Building.
Open to ideas and suggestions for this building. Got it on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005. Don't won't to lose it. Great opportunity. The Park Theatre is to be transformed into two floors of loft spaces with its old lobby to be two commercial businesses such as a coffee, sandwich or bagel franchise. Its old facade and marquee will be restored as well.

[lalynch]

At Thursday night's Lincoln Park DDA Meeting it was stated that an RFP to demo
the Mellus Newspapers Building, 1661 Fort Street, and the one next to it, Pollak
Building at 1667 Fort Street will be issued with bids due September 3, 2009.
August 23rd mandatory walk thru for contractors. Bids will be reviewed by building
department supervisor and DDA attorney. Award bid by October. DDA attorney
cautioned that this is assuming no proposals are received and accepted.
Notice that they didn’t issue an RFP for developers for Mellus!!!

Lincoln Park Fire Department will also like to do training inside the buildings at
1661& 1667 Fort Street prior to any demo.

Hopefully a developer will come forward prior to the DDA's September 1st deadline!

[lalynch]

Still looking for a developer. In the meantime, two local entrepreneurs have submitted an offer to our DDA to use the buildings for a movie studio and school. However, it is anticipated that they will walk away from the offer.

The buildings could be good for any number of uses including a museum.

[buildingsofdetroit]

"
At last night's Lincoln Park DDA meeting, the DDA approved a proposal from a demo contractor to demolish Mellus.

I am working on getting a copy of the demo contractors proposal as well as getting a walk through for next week so that I can get plaster samples to be tested.
The city is going on the premise that there is very little asbestos in the building because a 2005 environmental stated so. However, no one can find a copy of it. And I understand that even 1 percent asbestos is too much.

In the meantime, I get contacted today on a local web forum by someone stating that two developers tried contacting city hall on the Mellus but got no return phone calls. They want to turn the buildings into medical office supply facility. It looks like they called a number on one of the other DDA owned buildings that goes to the extension of the former economic development director who left earlier in the year. Meantime, I am trying to make sure hook up these developers with the DDA chairperson before the contract is signed with the demo company.

Thanks,

Leslie Lynch-Wilson
Lincoln Park Preservation Alliance
313-598-3137"

[lalynch]

There's still time for anyone interested in the Mellus Newspapers Building to see it and put in an offer. The DDA chairperson believes that the DDA would be willing to sell the buildings at a loss. They purchased the two buildings earlier in the year for $90,000. And they also own a 3rd building, Dorsey Building, at 1673 Fort Street, that they'd like to sell too - most likely agreeable to sell at a loss. They purchased it for about $175,000 about 5 years ago and has been vacant since.

If your interested, we've got to act fast because we only have between now and when the demo contract is signed. Call or email - 313-598-3137 or lalynch@wideopenwest.com . Please spread the word.

[lalynch]

Developer still needed for the Mellus Newspapers Building. The building along with the one next door to it at 1667 Fort Street will be on the October 22nd, Lincoln Park Dangerous Building Board agenda at 7 pm, City Hall.

These buildings could be a steal. Offer $25,000 for the two buildings - Mellus Newspapers Building, 1661 Fort Street and Pollak Building [[next door), 1667 Fort Street - and there's a good chance that the DDA would accept your offer.

Then there's the next building on that block that the DDA owns, 1673 Fort Street, Lincoln Park.
Offer the DDA something for that building. Building in great condition with rest rooms, etc. and just needs flooring and interior walls. DDA purchased it for $175,000 in 2004 but would most likely sell for a much lesser price! Hurry before the DDA signs the demo contract!

[lalynch]

Mellus Newspapers Building, 1661 Fort Street, Lincoln Park and its sister building, Pollak Building, at 1667 Fort Street, Lincoln Park will be on tomorrow night, October 22, 2009 Dangerous Building Board agenda. 7 pm, Lincoln Park City Hall, 1355 Southfield Road, Lincoln Park.

[lalynch]

Mellus Newspapers Building, 1661 Fort Street, Lincoln Park and its sister building, Pollak Building, at 1667 Fort Street, Lincoln Park will be on tomorrow night, October 22, 2009 Dangerous Building Board agenda. 7 pm, Lincoln Park City Hall, 1355 Southfield Road, Lincoln Park.

No quorum at tonight's Dangerous Building Board hearing. Next meeting will be in 45 days. However, DDA attorney advised the building department supervisor to pull out the demolition order from a number of years ago and re-initiate it. There is an offer on the buildings now too. A special public meeting is planned for next Tuesday, 5 pm, Lincoln Park City Hall where the proposed buyer is making a presentation to the DDA.

[lalynch]

Hurry! One can pick up the Mellus Newspapers Building and the Pollak Building for dirt cheap! Last guy offered $500 per building for the Mellus, Pollak and Dorsey Buildings. DDA didn't like the idea of selling the Dorsey that they paid $175,000 to in 2004 for $500. Man submitted a new offer yesterday offering for Dorsey about the price of a good use car. I don't think it will fly and he wants all three buildings or none at all. However, the DDA is willing to sell the buildings to him for $500 each because he has the cash in the bank!

Help!! It is now about saving North Fort Street!

[lalynch]

Still need someone to buy these two buildings. Considering that the last man offered $500 per building for Mellus and Pollak, I think that one could pick them up cheap. The demo is temporarily on hold while the DDA goes through their review with the State Historic Preservation Office.

[lalynch]

The Mellus Newspapers Building made national press coverage this week!
http://www.preservationnation.org/ma...d-for-now.html

[lalynch]

Be sure to look for the Save The Mellus Facebook page!
Interior photos of the Mellus and Pollak Buildings are there as well.

[lalynch]

Article in today's Free Press on the Mellus;

http://freep.com/article/20091213/NE...wn-to-the-wire

[Rideron]

YEAH!!!! We'll SAVE it and make it a huge big successful place where you can makes all kinds of MONEY and stuff, like big business and junk!!

ANd we can put on a SHOW to raise money to fix it up, see? and, and then it'll be all great and cool and stuff, ya know???

YEAHHHHH SAVE THE THING-BUILDING AND STUFF, WHATEVER!!!!!

[lalynch]

Also, Lincoln Park's Dangerous Building Board, Thursday night, requested that a communication be sent to the Lincoln Park DDA expressing the Dangerous Building Board's desire to see the Lincoln Park DDA wait 90 days before ordering demolition, but the Lincoln Park DDA acts independently and may choose to ignore the Dangerous Building Board's recommendation or they may comply.

[Bearinabox]

YEAH!!!! We'll SAVE it and make it a huge big successful place where you can makes all kinds of MONEY and stuff, like big business and junk!!

ANd we can put on a SHOW to raise money to fix it up, see? and, and then it'll be all great and cool and stuff, ya know???

YEAHHHHH SAVE THE THING-BUILDING AND STUFF, WHATEVER!!!!!

You really shouldn't drink and post.

[Chuck_MI]

The company that offered $11,000 for the Mellus and two other adjacent properties was identified in the Free Press article as Hands-On Healing Home Health Care. A Google search on that name turned up zilch except for an address and a phone number. Maybe Lincoln Park officials performed this most basic of due dilligence also. Maybe this "health care company" was determined to be more a pie-in-the-sky idea than a company with actual revenue and employees.
But, I'm just speculating. That's the cynic in me.

[Chuck_MI]

Bump. This needs further discusion. Who is the OP? Does he/she have an interest in Hands-On Home Health Care?