Happy Fall everyone… where did the summer go. Why does it seem like Winter went on and on and on, but this summer zipped by like lightning? Lots to catch you up on, but I’ll save the big news for last. The City manager, at our last meeting, rolled out a new initiative he’s named Move Across Troy. We have all talked about walkable Troy, and we understand the complications of that theory without having an established “downtown” in the true sense of the word. The Big Beaver corridor is a logical target for creating that “place”, but the fact is, we have a lot of hurdles to jump creating it. Move across Troy is a project in the infancy stage that is targeting the Big Beaver Corridor without neglecting the vision of The Maple and Rochester Rd. corridors in scope. We have over 50,000 vehicles/day traversing Big Beaver. Our daytime population needs a way to get to local eateries and shopping without the use of cars in order to meet the typical one hour lunch routine. How do we do that? We have schedule symposiums that are open to the public intended to brainstorm the issues at hand. The information we gather should help gauge what steps can be taken to get us to the next level. Come join us on October 1, at the community center from 11:30 – 1:30 for the first session, or from 5:00 – 7:00 for the evening session. Troy roads rock is still the site to visit for the latest developments on the road construction. There is light at the end of the tunnel, targeting the completion of Big Beaver by the end of November. Most of the main projects have been completed, with a few intersections remaining, and joint sealing taking place. Bear with us… the roads will in fact rock when we’re done. I know it may seem like a little mayhem right now, but remember the funds we received to get this job done all came at once, it was a use it or lose it proposition, and our construction season is very short. Be prepared, Livernois Rd. in front of civic center dr. (by the community center) has begun a construction project. We have been told it will have a 9 day closure. I was at the community center yesterday, and already saw a backup there. Last night we received an economic development update from Glen Lapin. Great news in Troy… Our commercial and industrial vacancy rate has fallen significantly this year. Office vacancy has improved to 22.5% vacancy (an improvement from 28% in 2012), and our industrial vacancy rate has improved to 5.3% (an improvement from 10% in 2012). Needless to say, this councilman has been busy attending ground breaking and ribbon cutting ceremonies this summer. So many great stories of corporate resurgence in the area… success breeds success. The more that move in, the more want to move in. Go Troy. On a residential real estate note (since I’m in that business), this has been the best year I have had personally since 2007. Our office reports a meteoric rise in home sales, and prices have rebounded firmly this year. Prior to the start of school this year, we were experiencing a lack of home inventory, multiple offers, and over asking price home sales. Again… Go Troy. We had an update from the historic village last night. We approved new pathways and drainage systems for the village last meeting. The project is near complete, with final grading underway. Just in time they tell us, as there is a wedding in the chapel next week. Whew… We were also informed of an event at the historic village, The Scarecrow Glow. The event is an Alice in Wonderland theme, with a rabbit hole and all… come on out on October 22 from 6 – 9 pm (ages 21 and older). Live music, food, and demonstrations. The cost is $ 40.00 in advance or $ 50.00 at the gate. Call 248-524-3570 or visit troyhistoricvillage.org for more information. Now for the big news… We approved and signed the lease agreement with Amtrak last night, so we can get the doors open on the transit center, and move the project forward. The annual maintenance costs were a matter of discussion and concern leading up to the vote to build the facility. Amtraks contract with us locks Amtrak in to a 20 year agreement and they are paying 100% of the maintenance costs. We were provided with a breakdown of the annual costs ($ 50,785), and the agreement provides flexibility should those costs go up. We are working out the details on future capital improvement costs (new roofs/building improvements etc.), and our ongoing discussions with the Troy Chamber will now gain intensity since the project is moving off center at last. Projection for the grand opening could be within 3 weeks from today. Love the idea or hate the idea of this project, at long last it is open, and we can begin using the facility to its fullest potential. That’s it for the latest update… happy fall, see you in a couple weeks. Dave
Posted on: Tue, 23 Sep 2014 14:14:41 +0000
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