Residents don't want restaurant at Corktown fire station

**archfan** · July-24-18, 12:58 AM

1201 Bagley was the fire station for Engine Company No. 8 from 1918 to 1982. In the '80s, a law firm renovated the building and moved in. Now, a group would like to open a restaurant on the first floor, with apartments on the 2nd and 3rd floor.

Long-term residents expressed their concern about increased traffic, odors, and noise. They're outspoken enough that the restaurant group will ask to postpone their zoning hearing allow them to talk with the community.

I see points on both sides - it would be nice to see this building used, and they will have traffic and parking issues in this neighborhood.

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/ne...ant/807868002/

**Honky Tonk** · July-24-18, 08:24 AM

Originally Posted by archfan

1201 Bagley was the fire station for Engine Company No. 8 from 1918 to 1982. In the '80s, a law firm renovated the building and moved in. Now, a group would like to open a restaurant on the first floor, with apartments on the 2nd and 3rd floor.

Long-term residents expressed their concern about increased traffic, odors, and noise. They're outspoken enough that the restaurant group will ask to postpone their zoning hearing allow them to talk with the community.

I see points on both sides - it would be nice to see this building used, and they will have traffic and parking issues in this neighborhood.

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/ne...ant/807868002/

Good for them. People don't want their lifestyles disrupted because someone wants to make a buck.

**detlump** · July-24-18, 08:55 AM

I clerked at that law office way back when, there is not a lot of parking available nearby to support the volume of restaurant customers, let alone workers, plus the apartment residents. Don't forget a restaurant requires frequent truck traffic to unload food and supplies, a dumpster [[with food waste). Just not a good use for that neighborhood. Why not just subdivide the whole thing into apartments?

**Chicago48** · July-26-18, 05:30 AM

Couldn't the restaurant BUILD a parking lot, lmaybe find land nearby to convert to pakcing, or build parking structure to accommodate parking?

**Meddle** · July-26-18, 06:07 AM

Originally Posted by Chicago48

Couldn't the restaurant BUILD a parking lot, lmaybe find land nearby to convert to pakcing, or build parking structure to accommodate parking?

If you look at the images above, you'll see that isn't possible in this case. The only potential spot is what I tagged #8 and I have no idea who owns that or if it would be available.

But that parking issue here isn't really an issue. It's folks in the area that think they're too good to allow something 'like that' in their precious neighborhood, despite the fact that this is basically an inner city industrial area alongside a major surface street and freeway.

**Honky Tonk** · July-26-18, 07:23 AM

Originally Posted by Meddle

If you look at the images above, you'll see that isn't possible in this case. The only potential spot is what I tagged #8 and I have no idea who owns that or if it would be available.

But that parking issue here isn't really an issue. It's folks in the area that think they're too good to allow something 'like that' in their precious neighborhood, despite the fact that this is basically an inner city industrial area alongside a major surface street and freeway.

The folks in your area apparently are not, they'll let anything move in.

**Towne Cluber** · July-24-18, 11:35 AM

The Free Press restaurant critic is writing a review of this place as we speak...

**1953** · July-24-18, 11:46 AM

Let them open their restaurant. This is a multi-use city, not a suburban cul-de-sac -- and its only a restaurant, not a steel mill.

**Richard** · July-24-18, 12:19 PM

Originally Posted by 1953

Let them open their restaurant. This is a multi-use city, not a suburban cul-de-sac -- and its only a restaurant, not a steel mill.

kinda like the lady that bought the loft in an industrial part of town then complained about how the surrounding industrial part bothered her.

Granted pre existing but I agree,it is supposed to be a city,a lot of cities have mixed restruant residential and get along.

It is different if it was a place that was open until midnight.

On a side note,what happened with the other one that was going through the same thing,last year maybe,it was across from a little park and was having issues.

**archfan** · July-25-18, 01:19 AM

Originally Posted by 1953

Let them open their restaurant. This is a multi-use city, not a suburban cul-de-sac -- and its only a restaurant, not a steel mill.

I think it also matters what type of restaurant they're thinking of. A sports bar has vastly different hours and crowds than a cafe or white tablecloth restaurant. A good neighborhood joint might be a real plus to the existing residents.

**Meddle** · July-24-18, 12:11 PM

City's supposed to be getting more money now. Reopen it for a rig.

Who's the nearest Engine to there now ?

**birwood** · July-26-18, 10:38 AM

With the revitalization of the Corktown area, do the residents and new businesses really realize how short changed they are as far as fire protections goes. The closest fire companies to respond for any fire emergency in the Corktown Area are currently Engine 1, currently housed at old Engine 3 quarters at Park and Montcalm, and if there is an event going on at Comerica, The Fox, LCA, Ford Field etc,… and Good Luck with them getting thru traffic to arrive in a timely manor. Engine 27, and Ladder 8 are the next closest at Fort St and Summit but they also respond to the Southwest Detroit neighborhoods. Remember that Engine 8 at 6th & Bagley CLOSED. Engine 4 at 18th & Lafayette CLOSED, Ladder 12 at 10th & Lafayette CLOSED, Engine 10 and Ladder 4 at Vinewood and W. Grand Blvd CLOSED. The residents and business owners should approach the administration about re-opening a fire company or 2 for that are…better yet..ask your home owners insurance about Detroits ISO rating and if there is a need for better fire protection.

**Meddle** · July-26-18, 11:52 AM

Originally Posted by birwood

The closest fire companies to respond for any fire emergency in the Corktown Area are currently Engine 1, currently housed at old Engine 3 quarters at Park and Montcalm, and if there is an event going on at Comerica, The Fox, LCA, Ford Field etc,… and Good Luck with them getting thru traffic to arrive in a timely manor. Engine 27, and Ladder 8 are the next closest at Fort St and Summit but they also respond to the Southwest Detroit neighborhoods. Remember that Engine 8 at 6th & Bagley CLOSED. Engine 4 at 18th & Lafayette CLOSED, Ladder 12 at 10th & Lafayette CLOSED, Engine 10 and Ladder 4 at Vinewood and W. Grand Blvd CLOSED. The residents and business owners should approach the administration about re-opening a fire company or 2 for that are…better yet..ask your home owners insurance about Detroits ISO rating and if there is a need for better fire protection.

That's what I asked upthread ... I couldn't remember who was first due with all the closings over the years. I'd need to plot out current houses, but I'd imagine response time for the Box would be much longer than most would be comfortable with. I can remember when all three engines for that area could be on scene and stretched within five minutes or so.

**iheartthed** · July-24-18, 12:17 PM

“You can see there’s no space for parking. We know that’s going to be a problem for the people who live here.”

Yeah, sure. This place is two blocks from the old Tiger Stadium. Hardly a neighborhood that doesn't know how to deal with traffic.

**Richard** · July-24-18, 12:22 PM

Originally Posted by iheartthed

Yeah, sure. This place is two blocks from the old Tiger Stadium. Hardly a neighborhood that doesn't know how to deal with traffic.[/FONT][/COLOR]

used to have a house near a stadium,big back yard,$20 a car makes for a good day.

**Johnnny5** · July-24-18, 02:39 PM

IMO would be business owners need to either work within the existing zoning regulations or prove that the change is a positive for those surrounding them. There are dozens of empty lots up and down Michigan Ave to build a restaurant. Shoehorning one into a residential neighborhood that already has limited parking doesn't seem like a positive for anyone except the building owner/business.

**iheartthed** · July-24-18, 03:28 PM

Originally Posted by Johnnny5

IMO would be business owners need to either work within the existing zoning regulations or prove that the change is a positive for those surrounding them. There are dozens of empty lots up and down Michigan Ave to build a restaurant. Shoehorning one into a residential neighborhood that already has limited parking doesn't seem like a positive for anyone except the building owner/business.

There will soon be another empty lot if they don't allow the building to be repurposed.

**Johnnny5** · July-24-18, 03:41 PM

Originally Posted by iheartthed

There will soon be another empty lot if they don't allow the building to be repurposed.

The likelihood of the owners tearing down a large brick [[Former) fire station in the hottest real estate market in the city is probably about the same as winning the Mega Millions tomorrow.

**iheartthed** · July-24-18, 03:56 PM

Originally Posted by Johnnny5

The likelihood of the owners tearing down a large brick [[Former) fire station in the hottest real estate market in the city is probably about the same as winning the Mega Millions tomorrow.

It's not worth anything if you can't do anything with it because of zoning.

**Johnnny5** · July-24-18, 04:09 PM

Ihearttthed, Are you familiar with this building? If not, look up the address on Google maps and you'll see why some in the neighborhood have an issue with allowing the rezoning. The building was already rezoned for use as office space, and was used for such for many years. The repurposing isn't the issue. The rezoning and repurposing into use as a restaurant is the issue.

**iheartthed** · July-24-18, 04:39 PM

Originally Posted by Johnnny5

Ihearttthed, Are you familiar with this building? If not, look up the address on Google maps and you'll see why some in the neighborhood have an issue with allowing the rezoning. The building was already rezoned for use as office space, and was used for such for many years. The repurposing isn't the issue. The rezoning and repurposing into use as a restaurant is the issue.

I am familiar with it. For reasons I have already stated, I think the concerns are a little ridiculous. They do not live on a bucolic country road. They live in what has always been one of Detroit's most active neighborhoods.

**JBMcB** · July-24-18, 05:52 PM

There is a restaurant two blocks down the street. Are they having problems with it? I looked and didn't find any specific complaints.

It looks like there's an empty lot a half a block down sixth that could probably be turned into parking if it's that much of an issue. They could also unload trucks right off of sixth.

**Jason** · July-24-18, 04:16 PM

Let's see... Corktown, the residential part being a handful of blocks of houses sandwiched between a bunch of restaurants and bars and boutique places, and a light industrial district.

This particular part being on the lodge's service drive, across the freeway from a casino, and less from 200 feet from Michigan avenue itself. I bet the houses on this block can see motor city casino glowing in the distance from their upstairs windows. The north side of that street also features the backside of a carwash. I personally find the weedy lots with cars strewn about to be very quaint. Or maybe the most quaint feature of that block is the 5 story converted industrial building with a giant billboard that looms over them?

**Richard** · July-24-18, 04:20 PM

I wonder if they are spending the money to put apartments on the second and third floor they thought about parking and how it would impact the investment.

Or are they spending 200k + without thinking about the little details.

**Meddle** · July-24-18, 05:55 PM

I see what appears to be at least 7 parking lots in the area, though this image is a few years old. There is also a dirt area at #8 that could be parking. Valets or shuttles could handle the distance if that was an issue. Sixth St. isn't exactly a major thoroughfare so street parking could be possible.

The truck deliveries and dumpster are on the Sixth Street side too, so that shouldn't bother the Yuppies nearby.

Attachment 36217