A building project that Larry Shew and his building company have
spent seven years perfecting will go before the Highland Township
Planning Commission tonight for final approval.
Despite the high stakes, Shew isn't nervous. He has already met
with the Downtown Development Authority and gone before the planning
commissioners for suggestions on his building plans, which cover
three lots in Highland Station.
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"It seems like everybody
wants (the project)," Shew said. "They think it's very critical to
the rebirth of Highland because it promotes what they want to see as
a starting point."
If approved, the project will be the first major development
under the Main Street Oakland County program.
"Highland Station has kind of gone downhill in many ways," Shew
said. "I'm looking at (the project) as a rebirth, and hopefully the
beginning of recreating Highland."
The three designated lots are at 179 N. Milford Road, owned by
Matthew Litzelman, and 141 N. Milford Road, with a vacant lot in
between. The remaining two lots are owned by A. Roscoe Smith, who
belongs to the DDA and is secretary for the Planning Commission.
Smith recused himself during the commission's discussion of the
proposal at its Feb. 16 meeting.
The main part of the planned structure will be three distinct
buildings attached by a common stairwell. A historical home on the
141 N. Milford Road parcel will be restored and renovated.
The main structure will be two stories plus a full basement.
While most of the space will be used for businesses and professional
offices, Shew said that one of the three upper levels has already
been sold as a residential unit.
The restored house will most likely become a small shop, he said.
There are tentative plans to house an art gallery in one of the
business spaces.
Shew described the building's architecture as "very traditional
... with a little bit of a Victorian look to it."
The entire project, which Shew said is Phase One in his Highland
Station-area building plans, will cover 12,000 square feet. An
adjoining parcel to the north, owned by Litzelman, is slated for
Phase Two.
Shew said that he hopes to break ground on Phase One in May.
Phase Two is not yet scheduled.
There is no tax money involved in the project, although Shew said
that the DDA may include some on-site enhancements such as benches
and lighting as part of the Main Street program. He estimated the
project's cost to be $2 million to $2.2 million.
Shew, who owns Shew Construction Company, Inc., has worked as a
designer and builder in the Milford area for the past 28 years. His
2005 projects included the Milford Town Village commercial center on
N. Milford Road, just north of Summit Street, and the Milford Senior
Center expansion.
Alyson Iott is a reporter for the Milford Times. She can be
reached at (248) 685-1507, ext. 21, or by e-mail at aiott@gannett.com.
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