ADRIAN — Downtown Adrian could look pretty different in a few years if a number of projects being pursued by city leaders come to fruition.

Much of the funding comes from a $15 million state budget earmark that the city was awarded in 2022 for development in the area. Some of the projects could be completed as soon as this year, while others are much more involved — and one of them still faces numerous obstacles.

The Lenawee Voice recently sat down with Jay Marks, executive director of Adrian’s Downtown Development Authority and Main Street program, for some updates on the city’s plans for downtown. 

Marks also shared some information about private development projects that are currently in the works.

Town Square project

This project aims to create an outdoor public space, as well as some small-scale retail spaces, between South Main Street and South Winter Street. It involves three main areas: 

• The former Jean Christopher Studios property at 127 W. Maumee St., which the city acquired from the county land bank a few years ago.
• The land at 116-120 S. Main St. The buildings that once stood there were torn down last year after structural engineers judged them too damaged to be saved.
• Maiden Lane, a short alley just off South Main Street.

The plan seeks to tie those three areas into one inviting public space that would include a bandshell and an area for food trucks.

In addition, the city hopes to put in three or four small retail spaces that can be used by startup businesses.

“The key part of the former Maiden Lane is really creating micro-retail shops there, developing an entrepreneurial ecosystem,” Marks said. The shops would follow a business incubator model, with the idea that new businesses would spend a limited amount of time there before moving on to larger spaces.

Marks said retail development is in keeping with Maiden Lane’s history.

“Historically, Maiden Lane was once an area of commerce,” Marks said.

A 1916 fire insurance map, for example, shows the backs of West Maumee Street businesses along the north side of the alley, but eight different buildings fronting the south side, including a restaurant, pool hall, repair shop, and hardware store. 

The downtown area would give up 13 parking spaces as part of this plan, although a separate project a block away would add about 80.

The city hosted an open house to discuss the project last fall. SmithGroup out of Ann Arbor is designing the space. Although those plans are still being worked on, Marks said the total cost will probably be between $2 million and $3 million. The city is applying for funds from the Michigan Economic Development Corp.’s Revitalization and Placemaking grant program, and is also planning to use money from the 2022 budget earmark as well as private donations.

“No general fund, no local taxpayer dollars, will be going toward this project,” Marks said.

Daily Telegram property

A much more complex problem is that of cleaning up and repurposing the former Daily Telegram property on North Winter Street.

The land the city is hoping to rehabilitate consists of more than just the Telegram’s former offices at 133 N. Winter St. It also includes the former Access Shoppers Guide offices, the former Eagles building, and an adjacent house.

Efforts to redevelop the property and create an attractive riverfront area have hit numerous snags over the years.

The Adrian Development Collaborative, a group headed by Mark Murray, bought the property at auction in 2021. But after their efforts stalled, the city agreed to buy the land for $500,000 — an amount roughly equivalent to what the group had put into the property. 

The city commission approved the purchase last summer in the hopes that the city would be in a better position to bring in grant money for the project, but that too has proved challenging. The city applied for money from the state’s Environmental Justice Impact Grant program to fund the estimated $500,000 demolition cost, but the application was unsuccessful.

Another challenge is that a good chunk of the riverfront is owned by DTE Energy, which has a maintenance and operations facility there. Marks said the city is hoping to find an appropriate alternate location and figure out what it would take to get DTE to move there.

Despite the stumbling blocks, some work is taking place. Asbestos abatement has begun, and the city is working with an environmental consultant to determine if any special handling will be needed because of soil contamination in the area.

The ultimate goal, Marks said, is to get the property into good enough shape that it can be marketed to developers with the hope of getting housing built on the site.

Winter Street streetscape work

Another longer-term project involves making changes to the streetscape along North Winter Street. That plan involves narrowing Winter Street to make it less like a thoroughfare and more like a traditional downtown street, with the goal of slowing traffic and making the riverfront area more connected to the rest of downtown.

That work is currently slated for 2026, Marks said.

North Winter Street parking lot

The city plans to create a new parking lot on the site of the former American Title building on North Winter Street. Marks said the Department of Public Works will handle the demolition, and the parking lot is expected to have about 80 spaces.

Plans call for the project to be paid for using the city’s parking fund, which comes from three sources — the city’s general fund, the Downtown Development Authority, and the parking assessment paid by downtown property owners.

Library Square playground 

One of the smaller projects — but also one that could be realized the soonest — involves building an accessible playground in the space behind the Adrian District Library.

The space is about 2,500 square feet. Marks said the city would work with a playground company to figure out the details, since “they know how to do it safely and economically and really make it an engaging space.”

The city has received proposals from a few companies, Marks said, and ideally would start construction in late spring.

The cost is estimated at about $200,000, and Marks said the city plans to ask local service groups to donate toward the project, in addition to using funds from that same $15 million enhancement grant.

Mural project

The city has received a pair of grants — $25,000 from Michigan Main Street and $12,000 from the Michigan Arts and Culture Council — to fund the creation of murals throughout downtown.

Marks said the first and largest will be on the side of the building that faces traffic coming up the hill and entering downtown from West Maumee Street. It will have a postcard-type look and will welcome people to downtown.

Another will overlook the Town Square site. Marks said that one will probably be historical in nature.

The Sieler family has offered space on their building adjoining the Winter Street Parking lot for another installation.

Marks said the funding is probably enough for 10 to 15 pieces of public art of varying sizes.

Private development

Several private developers are also working on projects downtown.

Park House: Work on the former Hamerman Furniture building on South Main Street is expected to be finished this summer. The building will be called Park House to reflect its history — the A.B. Park Department Store was located there from the late 1800s to the 1970s. 

The first floor is being designed for fast-casual food options, light retail, and a classroom. The second and third floors will have loft apartments with a total of 36 beds.

Grand River Brewing: The building at 136 S. Main St., which was formerly called The Seasons and also housed a movie theater for many years, is slated to become the home of Grand River Brewing’s fifth location. Grand River Brewing was started in Jackson in 2013, and also has locations in Marshall, Clawson, and Brighton. 

Steele Lofts: AMK Properties, an Ann Arbor company that also owns the Strongback building at the corner of East Maumee and North Main, intends to redevelop the former Joe Ann Steele Insurance Center. 

The plans call for five commercial spaces on the ground floor — three of them fronting Main Street — and eight apartments on the second and third floors.