On Monday night, the Auburn Hills City Council approved a transformative proposal from Bacall Development LLC. The Farmington Hills-based developer plans to build a $20 million multi-family residential development called Fountain Circle of Auburn Hills on 16.4 acres of land once utilized for industrial purposes. The property is generally located north of Auburn Road, east of College Drive.   

Fountain Circle of Auburn Hills will feature 258 luxury apartment homes in seven, three-story buildings. It will include garages and carports, a clubhouse with fitness center and pool, and park area. The residences will consist of one, two, and three bedroom units ranging from575 to 1,375 square feet in size. Rental rates are anticipated to range between $800 and $1,875 per month depending on the unit size and selected amenities.

The City acquired this property from Mound Steel andSuperior Concrete in 2011/2012 and has since conducted an environmental clean-up of the site to prepare the land for redevelopment. As part of the new project and land sale, Bacall Development LLC will build a segment of Parkways Boulevard through the site allowing the roadway to extend from Squirrel Road to Adams Road per the City’s Downtown Master Plan.

Construction is expected to begin in Spring 2019 with the completion of the new Parkways Boulevard extension anticipated by November2019. It will take approximately one year to prepare the site, build theParkways Boulevard extension, and install the utilities needed to serve the site.  Thus, the first apartment units constructed are not expected to be ready for occupancy until Summer 2020.  Finalization of the entire project is anticipated by December 2021.

We look forward to updating the community on this exciting project in the months and years ahead.

Steve Cohen, Director of Community Development

A development application has been submitted to the City of Auburn Hills by Speedway, LLC for approval to construct a passenger and commercial vehicle fueling station and convenience store on a 5.07-acre parcel generally located west of Joslyn Road, between Great Lakes Crossing Drive and Pacific Boulevard. The property is adjacent to a closed landfill.

The project will consist of a passenger vehicle fueling area with 16 fuel pumps in the front of the site, a commercial vehicle area with three diesel fueling pumps in the rear of the site, and a 4,608 square foot convenience store. The total investment is estimated at $3 million.

Those interested in learning more about this proposal are encouraged to attend the Planning Commission meeting scheduled for Wednesday, November 14th at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber at City Hall. A final decision on the application is anticipated by the City Council on Monday, November 26th.

If approved by the City Council, the project’s construction is anticipated to begin in August 2019 with completion taking place in April 2020.

 

Steve Cohen, Director of Community Development

It’s safe to say that anyone growing up in the 1980s will recall the Dunkin’ Donuts commercial with the baker leaving to work each morning uttering the legendary line “Time to make the donuts.” Well, we’re pleased to announce that the legend will be continuing right here in the City of Auburn Hills, with today’s opening of Dunkin’ Donuts at 2701 University Drive. To celebrate their opening, they will be offering customers a free medium hot coffee all day today.

This new modernized store with drive-thru, located on University Road just east of I-75, will not only be selling a wide assortment of fresh donuts, which they are famous for but also some of the best coffee in town. This is great news not only for Auburn Hills residents but also for the hundreds of commuters traveling on University Drive to I-75 during their morning commute.

If hot coffee and donuts aren’t your meal of choice no need to worry, Dunkin’ Donuts now offers a wide range of food and drink options, including breakfast sandwiches, bagels, fritters, muffins, soft drinks, hot and cold tea, and coffee, all made fresh daily. Two items that might catch the eye of young kids or someone looking for a quick snack are the waffle breaded chicken tenders or donut fries. One treat that is sure to hit the spot.

So if you’re looking for a new place to pick up your morning breakfast and beverage or just want to treat yourself to a tasty donut or snack, check out the new Auburn Hills Dunkin’ Donuts. It’s sure to be a hit!

Shawn Keenan, City Planner

 

A development application has been submitted to the City of Auburn Hills by Opdyke Medical, PLLC to construct a one-story, 8,100 square foot medical office building on a 2.26-acre parcel of land located on the east side of Opdyke Road, just north of the Clinton River. The site is part of a larger 12.23-acre parcel owned by the City, which is best known as the Country Kitchen property. The City intends to sell the 2.26-acre parcel to Opdyke Medical, PLLC. A grant is being sought by the City from the State of Michigan to obtain the funds to develop the land south of the Clinton River into a new park called Kayak Point.

Opdyke Medical. PLLC is a family practice outpatient medical office that has been operating their business in the City of Auburn Hills for more than 24 years. They are currently growing out of their existing facility located at 719 South Opdyke Road. The proposed new building will have 15 exam rooms, six offices, a lab, an x-ray room, and a lounge for their existing practice as well as a separate 1,000 square foot space that they intend to lease out to Trinity Health (St. Joseph Hospital). Trinity Health plans to use the space to complete diagnostic testing including echocardiograms, dopplers, ultrasounds as well as having a phlebotomy station on site. The new office building will provide Opdyke Medical, PLLC the accommodations they need to continue their successful practice for many years into the future.

Those interested in learning more about this proposal are encouraged to attend the Planning Commission meeting scheduled for Wednesday, November 14th at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber at City Hall. A final decision on the application is anticipated by the City Council on Monday, November 26th.

If approved by the City Council, the project’s construction would begin by Spring 2019 with completion anticipated by Fall 2019.

Steve Cohen, Director of Community Development

We’re pleased to report that a development application has been submitted to the City of Auburn Hills by J.B. Donaldson Company to construct a new 100,000 square foot light industrial building for White Corners, LLC (a.k.a, Giffin, Inc. USA) on a parcel located at 4444 Giddings Road. The site is situated at the southeast corner of Brown Road and Giddings Road.

Giffin, Inc. USA moved their headquarters and R&D center to the adjacent 125,000 square foot building at 1900 Brown Road in 2011. They are a full service turn-key supplier of integrated paint finishing systems. Originally founded in Canada in 1949, Giffin has grown into a multi-national firm with over 1,000 employees worldwide.

The new $9 million facility will serve as an expansion of their presence in Auburn Hills and will focus on the manufacturing of paint finishing systems (e.g., robotic paint spray booths) for a variety of industries. Total Giffin employment at both buildings is projected to be 165 people, with approximately 65 employees being housed in the new building to start.

Those interested in learning more about this proposal are encouraged to attend the Planning Commission meeting scheduled for Wednesday, November 14th at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber at City Hall. A final decision on the application is anticipated by the City Council on Monday, November 26th.

If approved by the City Council, the project’s construction would begin in February 2019 with completion anticipated by October 2019.

 

Steve Cohen, Director of Community Development

It is a pleasure to work with people who demonstrate a passion and commitment to the City of Auburn Hills like Planning Commission Chairperson Greg Ouellette.

At the September 12th Planning Commission meeting, Greg was recognized for his achievement of being a 20-year member of the Michigan Association of Planning (MAP). He became a member of MAP when he began serving on the Planning Commission in February 1998. Yes, that’s right 1998! In January 2009, Greg was selected by his peers on the Planning Commission to lead their meetings and serve as their Chairperson.

Greg has professionally represented the City during his 20 years of service, showing the utmost respect to both the citizens and businesses that have brought development related issues and proposals before the Board. As a volunteer, he has built his knowledge base in planning and leadership by attending numerous training sessions provided by MAP and other organizations.

Director of Community Development, Steve Cohen, and I concur with MAP’s recognition and appreciation for Greg’s long-term commitment and dedication to quality community planning and the City of Auburn Hills. We feel very lucky to have him on our team.

Congrats Greg! Thank you again for your leadership and service.

 

Shawn Keenan, City Planner