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| Artist's rendering of proposed Northville Downs development. |
Under consideration are the preliminary site plans for the Hunter Pasteur mixed use development at the downtown site. During a meeting Aug. 16, commissioners discussed infrastructure, financials, and phasing and traffic concerns along Seven Mile Road. Members of the commission have addressed the question of sufficient, accessible parking and asked the developer about the shape of the retention pond in River Park. Hunter Pasteur Homes CEO Randy Wertheimer noted if the pond can be designed to allow for an additional pathway along the back of the carriage homes, they would present that option.
Hunter Pasteur Northville (HPN) Executive Seth Herkowitz presented a PowerPoint during the Aug. 16 meeting with a history and overview of the preliminary site plan, noting the six guiding principles stated in the Master Plan.
“The plan has undergone a rigorous review and an extensive amount of community engagement,” Herkowitz said.
The newest addition to the plan is a revised south gateway at Seven Mile and South Center featuring an Italianate design for the townhomes along South Center, and a tree-lined entrance on each of the curved corners leading into the development. The low brick wall with signage shown in a previous version was eliminated to focus on the architecture and landscaping. The signage may become part of the roundabout.
New aerial views showed the interconnection between the condominium building, apartment building, Central Park and commercial space on Cady St. Other aerial views showed the residential areas, and River Park.
Herkowitz summarized site plan which includes 443 housing units; 18,580 square feet of commercial space (with lobbies); 1,515 total parking spaces, with 328 being public spaces on streets for parallel parking and 10.44 acres of total space (including the stormwater basin and river) in River Park. He noted the open channel length of the daylighted river would be the same as the distance from North Center to Griswold along Main Street.
Herkowitz said construction of the apartment and condominium buildings would begin spring or summer 2023; the town homes along Seven Mile and Center next fall and the housing units south of Beal in 2024 with completion in 2027. The Farmers' Market would have a temporary home on the Downs site after the fall 2023 season ends though the 2025 season.
“We're at a tipping point. We've shown a level of transparency and openness and have the financial viability,” Herkowitz said.
“We have the opportunity to take an under-utilized property with significant challenges and integrate a mixed-use development that will include historic and generational, community and regional assets into the existing beauty and charm that is Northville,” he concluded.
