tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20341943740248870372024-03-19T17:20:57.698-04:00The Chelsea ConnectionPreservation Chelsea--Chelsea Connection Team (PC-CCT)--is a group of citizens with wide-ranging skills with one goal in mind: The adaptive reuse of the historic site on the corner of Main and Jackson Streets. To that end, PC-CCT responded to the city's Request for Proposal, but the response was denied by the DDA on August 19. PC-CCT continues to work for a more positive resolution to the site than demolition. Check back often for updates.Jan Bernathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04658810451021724160noreply@blogger.comBlogger220125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2034194374024887037.post-30611868055105088902015-09-19T08:39:00.004-04:002015-09-19T08:39:59.604-04:00DDA to sign a leter of intent announced at meeting 9.17.15Resident Jan <strong>Bernath</strong> told the DDA Board that she was very excited about the project that <strong>Joe Ziolkowski</strong> of <strong>Ronlon LLC</strong> presented to the board for the <strong>Mack Building</strong>.<br />
“I hope you’ll consider his proposal” and keep in mind “his expertise in renovating the old police building.”<br />
The DDA voted unanimously to enter into a letter of intent to work
with Ziolkowski on the project, which first needs additional
environmental assessments and containment work.<br />
City Manager <strong>John Hanifan</strong> said the state has both
competitive grants and loans available for this sort of work, which is
estimated at between $20,000-$30,000 for environmental testing of the
building and then perhaps, about $100,000 of physical remediation work
on the building.<br />
“I think entering into a letter of intent keeps this project going forward,” said <strong>Mark Heydlauff</strong>.
“A commitment from us will get the grants moving forward and a letter
of intent says the city will be willing to work with this developer.”<br />
Hanifan also told the DDA that the roof of the building will be
tarped in the next few weeks to protect the inside from further weather
damage. The DDA approved about $5,000 in August to have the building
tarped, broken windows and doors boarded up and the building secured
from further deterioration.<br />
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Jan Bernathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04658810451021724160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2034194374024887037.post-79498676313274194292015-07-20T13:14:00.002-04:002015-07-20T13:18:59.228-04:00Chelsea Update--July 20, 2015<div id="content">
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<a href="http://chelseaupdate.com/residents-ask-dda-to-make-mack-building-economically-viable-for-a-developer/" rel="bookmark" title="Link to Residents ask DDA to make Mack Building ‘economically viable for a developer’">Residents ask DDA to make Mack Building ‘economically viable for a developer’</a></h1>
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<div class="wp-caption alignleft" id="attachment_30584" style="width: 310px;">
<img alt="Longworth Alley plans." class="size-medium wp-image-30584" src="http://chelseaupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Longworth-Alley-plans-300x234.jpg" height="234" width="300" /><br />
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Longworth Alley plans.</div>
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As the <b>Chelsea Downtown Development Authority</b> tries to sell the <b>Mack Building</b>, members of <b>Preservation Chelsea </b>implored
them make structural improvements to the building and do a better job
of marketing the building it bought about six years ago.<br />
Now that the Longworth Alley project is complete, during public comment, <b>Tom Girard</b> of <b><a href="http://thechelseaconnection.blogspot.com/">Preservation Chelsea</a></b> told the DDA that it was time to focus on selling the Mack Building.<br />
He said since the DDA purchased the property at 100 Jackson St., it’s
“condition has gone straight downhill” and he urged the board to “make
the property viable.” Among his suggestions were protecting it from the
weather with a new roof and “getting it structurally sound” for its
sale.Among his suggestions were protecting it from the weather with a
new roof and “getting it structurally sound” for its sale.
<br />
He urged them “don’t tear it down, make it economically viable for a developer.”<br />
<br />
The city has issued an <a href="http://city-chelsea.org/Portals/0/Website%20Content/Front%20Page/Mack%20Bldg%20RFP.pdf">request for proposal</a>
for its sale with a deadline of no later than Aug. 14 at 1 p.m. In
addition, the city is having a professional appraisal done, which is
expected to be completed by Aug. 12.<br />
<strong>Cathy Bean</strong>, also a member of Preservation Chelsea,
sent the DDA a 3-page letter reminding them of the history and
importance of the building. In the letter she said, “We acknowledge that
the Mack Building is in need of extensive renovation, but we believe
that [it] can be renovated and will continue to be an asset to the
city.”<br />
<br />
While acknowledging that an RFP for the building had been posted on
the city website, the letter stated “in order to optimize the pool of
potential buyers, the DDA needs to make a further financial investment
…”<br />
The letter asks the DDA to immediately address the building’s safety
concerns to “allow prospective buyers to safely tour the site.” Also
suggested was that the city list the property with a realtor on list it
on specific preservation websites plus, place “for sale” signs on the
building. Among the other suggestions were to market the building to firms that
specialize in adaptive reuse and add a history of the building to the
city’s RFP. The letter also suggests the DDA “Sell to the highest qualified
bidder without imposing unrealistic financial restrictions, and be open
to public-private partnerships.”
<br />
During public comment, <strong>Jan Bernath</strong> also urged the
DDA to consider public/private partnerships in selling the building and
push the deadline date back to allow adequate time for potential buyers
to respond.<br />
Members of Preservation Chelsea said they do not want the DDA to
demolish the building and add another parking lot, saying the space
would then be disconnected from the rest of the downtown.<br />
At the end of the meeting, the DDA board discussed a work session in
August before its regular Aug. 20 meeting. They want to discuss a number
of smaller projects including the decorative fencing to block people
from illegally crossing the railroad tracks, the stamped crosswalk
project planned for the Main and Park Street intersection, additional
planters for the Palmer parking lot, additional lighting on Main Street
and improving the appearance of the old Federal Screw Works property.<br />
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Jan Bernathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04658810451021724160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2034194374024887037.post-68130794925448916172015-07-11T18:28:00.001-04:002015-07-11T18:28:10.631-04:00A Tale of One City
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Former
Longworth Plating Site </b></span></span>
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Background
on Proposed Redevelopment and RFP DDA-#1-2015</b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">July
11, 2015</span></span><br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<sup><u><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2034194374024887037#sdfootnote1sym" name="sdfootnote1anc"><sup>1</sup></a></u></sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u><b>Activity
Leading up to first RFP </b></u></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Chelsea
DDA purchased the former Longworth Site in December 2008. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">In
April 2009, the Chelsea DDA conducted a town hall meeting at which
the landscape architect they hired (Howard Deardorf) presented four
options for the site, and recommended one of the four options (Option
B). Option B called for demolition of the Livery and the Daniels
Addition and was the only proposal that did not call for the complete
demolition of all buildings. It was selected as the “preferred
choice”. However, attendees were not given the opportunity to vote
for retaining all buildings. The DDA assured the 50+ citizens in
attendance that there would be other opportunities for public input.
This meeting was recorded on DVD and is available for review. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">At
their regularly scheduled 6-4-2009 meeting, the DDA voted to demolish
the car showroom (Daniels Addition) and the Livery. Demolition was to
take place between the 2009 Summerfest and the Chelsea Community
Fair.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">In
July 2009, the public began to hear about the impending demolition
and a group of concerned citizens met and formed the <b>Save the
Livery Coalition (STLC). </b>Citizens approached the Chelsea City
Council on 7-28-2009 to say they did not want the Livery to be
demolished. Others offered advice on how to handle contamination
without putting the public at risk through demolition.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Upon
the recommendation of the Council, several members of the STLC
attended the 8-6-2009 DDA meeting and spoke to the same issues
addressed to the Council. The DDA granted the group two weeks to come
up with a firm proposal. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">In
the summer of 2009, Mark Creswell contacted some members of the STLC
and the Chelsea Area Historical Society (CAHS) and proposed that the
Great Lakes Zoological Society (GLZS) buy the former Longworth
Property as a home for an educational, small animal conservatory.
STLC supported Mark’s proposal. Mark made a proposal to the DDA on
8-20-2009, and the DDA approved a 60 day stay of demolition. Shortly
thereafter, Mark withdrew his proposal due to negative feedback from
City Staff. (Note, the GLZS sought and eventually found a home for
the conservatory, which it opened in the fall of 2011 in the
Dexter-Ann Arbor area.)</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The
STLC continued to advocate for saving the Livery. They drafted and
circulated a petition to halt demolition. The petitions were signed
by over 700 Chelsea area citizens and presented to Chelsea City
Council and the DDA. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">As
a result of several meetings in December 2009/January 2010, several
members of the SLC, combined with several additional members of the
community to form the <b>Preservation Chelsea - Chelsea Connection
Team (PC-CCT). </b>This group’s primary focus was on developing a
viable adaptive reuse project for the former Longworth site that
would be an asset to the community. The group is essentially a
sub-committee of Preservation Chelsea (PC), although it is an open
group that includes members that are not members of PC.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u><b>RFP
DDA-001 and PC-CCT/ TCC Submittals</b></u></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>January
2010</u></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">In
January 2010, the Chelsea DDA/ Chelsea City Manager issued RFP-001,
which solicited proposals to purchase and develop the property. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>February
2010</u></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">On
2-18-10, the PC-CCT submitted<b> </b>an “out of the box” <b>Initial
Response </b> (proposal) to<b> </b>redevelop the three buildings that
make up the Former Longworth Plating facility in response to DDA
RFP-001. The proposal included adaptive reuse of virtually all
portions of the buildings, except for the tank addition on the south
side of the Livery. The proposal called for the PC-CCT to renovate
and redevelop the buildings while the DDA would continue to own the
property. Funds would have come from the DDA, from grants applied for
by PC-CCT, and from fundraisers conducted by PC-CCT. Profit from the
completed project would have gone to the DDA. PC-CCT’s proposal was
the only proposal submitted in response to RFP DDA-001.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>March
2010</u></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">On
3-18-10, at their March meeting, the Chelsea DDA discussed the
2-18-10 proposal and agreed to further discuss the proposal and to
take action at the April DDA meeting. It was obvious to PC-CCT
members in attendance that the proposal was not well received by the
DDA, and that a favorable vote was not likely. Key points of
contention by DDA members <u>appeared</u> to be (no formal action was
taken):</span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ownership
of site. <br />Many members of the DDA made it clear that they wanted
to sell the property, and would not consider offers that would
involve DDA ownership any longer than necessary. Paraphrasing one
DDA member: “the DDA is not and should not be in the business of
developing and managing real estate”.</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Financial
Plan/ DDA Investment. <br />Several members of the DDA did not want to
invest further in the property. Though the PC-CCT proposal included
<u>some</u> financial information, it did not include details about
where the money would come from (other than to suggest that the DDA
invest $900k+ additional into the property that many in the DDA
wished they had never purchased).</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Parking.
Some DDA members felt the site must include additional parking for
the downtown area.</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Daniels
Addition. Some DDA members felt the Daniels addition should be
demolished, either for aesthetic reasons, or to improve traffic, or
to add some green space.</span></span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">To
garner serious consideration by the DDA, PC-CCT regrouped and took a
few key actions:</span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Preservation
Chelsea (PC) (a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization)
discussed and voted not to pursue purchase, because it was beyond
their core mission. </span></span>
</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">At
a PC-CCT meeting, several members agreed to form a new Limited
Liability Corporation, with the expressed purpose of purchasing and
redeveloping the former Longworth site through adaptive reuse of the
buildings. Paperwork was filed in Lansing under the name <b>The
Chelsea Connection, LLC (TCC)</b></span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Members
of PC-CCT contacted Kincaid–Henry, a Lansing based adaptive reuse
focused contractor/ developer, in hopes of encouraging their
involvement in the project, either as a partner with TCC, LLC, or as
a separate entity. TCC gave K-H a wealth of background information
on the property.</span></span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>April
2010</u></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">TCC
compiled supplemental information to amend the 2-18-10 Initial
Response proposal, in hopes of addressing the DDA’s concerns and
successfully negotiating sale of the property to TCC<b>. </b>The
<b>Supplemental Response</b> proposal was submitted from TCC to the
DDA/ City Manager at the 4-17-10 DDA meeting. The proposal included
sale of the property to TCC. The proposal also included additional
financial data, a revised development schedule and letters of intent
from The New Chelsea Market (a prospective tenant for 4000 SF on the
first floor of the Mack Building) and Chelsea State Bank. During
discussion, a motion was made to begin negotiations with TCC on the
sale of the property. As discussion continued, representatives from
Kincaid-Henry requested that the DDA extend the RFP response period
for 60 days to allow them to submit their own proposal. DDA members
discussed and agreed to add an additional 30 days (90 days total), so
that the DDA could decide what their vision was for the property. The
motion was withdrawn, and the DDA voted instead to extend the
response period to mid-July.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The
DDA conducted a special meeting on 4-27-2010, which appeared to have
two intended purposes:</span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Allow
the DDA to develop a clear vision for the site. <br />Numerous ideas
and issues were discussed, but the DDA did not appear to emerge with
a clear, written vision for the site.</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Introduce
the Kincaid-Henry (K-H) team, and to share some of their initial
ideas.<br />K-H discussed the potential for developing the property as
an incubator for small businesses, with the DDA and/ or City
continuing to own the property, but also discussed potential to
purchase and develop the site through adaptive reuse of the
buildings. </span></span>
</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The
DDA/ City Manager posted an extension to the RFP DDA-001 (due
7-14-10, 1pm), but did not otherwise amend the RFP.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>May-June
2010</u></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">TCC
continued to meet every 2-3 weeks to “keep things moving slowly”
on their proposal, expecting that it would be a back-up plan to
Kincaid-Henry’s proposal.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Members
of PC-CCT/TCC attended tax credit seminars and the Michigan Historic
Preservation Network conference, to gain additional insight on
applying for tax credits and structuring non-profit/ for-profit
partnerships, such as would exist between PC and TCC.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>July
2010</u></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">On
7-6-10, TCC was notified that Kincaid-Henry would not be submitting a
response to RFP DDA-001, due to other priorities and a lack of viable
tenants. They suggested that the buildings continue to be viable for
adaptive reuse.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">TCC
confirmed continued intent by The New Chelsea Market to lease the
first floor of the Mack building, but with the stipulation that they
must be able to move in before the holidays 2010. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">TCC
submitted an <b>Updated Initial Response</b> on 7-14-2010, prior to
the amended due date.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The
DDA took no action on the Updated Initial Response submitted by TCC
at the July DDA meeting, agreeing to vote on the proposal at the
August meeting.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>August
2010</u></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Members
of the Chelsea community organized the Jackson Street Jam, to raise
awareness and interest on the plight of the former Longworth
property. The event was held on 8-6-2010, and included live music and
speeches from local groups and Nancy Finegold of the Michigan
Historic Preservation Network.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">TCC
issued a “Follow-Up to 7-14-10 Updated Initial Response” letter
to the DDA on 8-16-2010, highlighting last minute developments prior
to the August DDA meeting.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">At
their regularly scheduled 8-19-2010, the DDA voted to reject the TCC
proposal and offer to purchase for $200,000. The DDA also voted to
move forward with the demolition of the Livery and Showroom.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>Fall
2010</u></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">In
response to the DDA’s actions, many members of the community
expressed their concern about the decision through editorials, and
public comment at DDA and City Council meetings. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The
PC-CCT continued to meet, though with less regularity than when
PC-CCT/TCC proposals were being developed and reviewed. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">DDA
president Mike Jackson resigned from the DDA in late 2010.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>2011</u></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Two
workshops relating to tax credits were held at the Chelsea District
Library during winter 2011 that were sponsored jointly by
Preservation Chelsea and the DDA. Deborah Stuart, Community
Assistance Specialist from the Michigan Economic Development
Corporation presented information on programs and services for
downtown revitalization. Robert McKay from the State Historic
Preservation Office and the Michigan State Housing Development
Authority presented information on the federal historic preservation
tax credits. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">However,
activity on the former Longworth site was far less pronounced and
visible in 2011, due to the DDA refocusing its priorities on
developing and refining its Comprehensive Downtown Plan, which was
conducted by Howard Deardorf. Though it did not appear that proposed
projects had a final “ranking”, it appeared to the community that
other projects were a higher priority, including:</span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Implementing
streetscape improvements, including “bumpouts”, to quiet
vehicular traffic and improve pedestrian safety. </span></span>
</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Providing
pedestrian access to the municipal parking lot near the Purple Rose
Theatre.</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Leasing/
purchasing/ developing former Palmer Ford parking lot (south of the
Palmer Auto Service building and lot.</span></span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">In-coming
DDA president Pete Flintoff spearheaded a Residential Equivalency
Unit (REU) credit program to be funded by the DDA. The program was
approved by the DDA and went into effect in July 2011. The program
was viewed to be a “game changer”, in that developers (including
restaurateur Jon Carlson who toured the site in August 2010) often
cited the high cost of REUs as being a key roadblock to development
downtown (not just in the former Longworth complex). No applications
have yet been submitted for the program, but all parties concur that
it will help foster development.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Historic
Downtown Chelsea was added to the National Register of Historic
Places in 2011. After many months of arduous work, a small group of
folks (especially 2011 Citizen of the Year, John Frank; then DDA
member Jim Myles; Chelsea Area Historical Society member Cary
Church), completed all documentation necessary for this prestigious
designation. The application was approved by the National Parks
Service in the spring of 2011. The presentation event held in June
2011 included speeches by local politicians and culminated with the
presentation of the plaque. The Daniels showroom, Mack Building and
Livery Buildings are all included as “contributing buildings” for
the register (unlike portions of downtown in which historic character
of the building was destroyed or where newer structures were added.
In so doing, the National Park Service, and Michigan State Historic
Preservation Office (SHPO) cited the former Longworth Complex (except
for small tanks addition in the back) as being historically
significant.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sometime
in 2011 (possibly earlier?), City Manager John Hanifan secured grant
funding for abatement of asbestos, and possibly other contaminants in
the former Longworth buildings. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">In
late August 2011, PC became aware of a window rehabilitation training
program offered through the Michigan Historic Preservation Network
(MHPN). The program trains under-employed contractors how to restore
historic wood windows and helps the host site by getting some windows
restored free of charge. The PC board approved Tom Girard to submit
an application on behalf of the PC for conducting the training in the
Longworth complex. The DDA rejected the idea at their August meeting,
due to inadequate information about the program. Days later, armed
with additional information, the Chelsea City Council unanimously
approved the application. The PC application was submitted to the
MHPN, and MHPN judges toured the site in September. Though Chelsea
was among the three finalists, Muskegon was ultimately selected to
host the workshop, which was held in November 2011. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">At
an early fall meeting, it was stated that the Longworth Property
would be listed for sale in March.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">An
entrepreneur looking for showroom and workspace was referred to PC by
MotorCities. In November 2011 Tom Girard began discussions with the
potential tenant that is targeting Chelsea or one other historic
downtown as the future site for a professional and teaching studio/
gallery for southeastern Michigan artists (web-based and
on-location)/ event and performance space that could occupy all of
the Daniels Addition, the Mack Building and possibly a portion of the
Livery. Discussions continue in 2012.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">In
November 2011, PC discussed strategies for saving the former
Longworth buildings with staff from the Michigan Historic
Preservation Network, including fund-raising professionals. As a
result, PC is preparing to organize a community-wide fundraising
campaign to purchase and stabilize threatened historic buildings in
Chelsea. This represents a clear departure from the past PC stance
that PC should not purchase buildings. While this remains true, PC
recognizes that fund raising within the community can only be
supported by a non-profit entity, and that many grants are targeted
specifically to non-profits. PC remains firm on desire to get these
buildings back in the private sector as soon as practical.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">In
December 2011, the PC board elected two new members: Cathy Bean and
Tom Girard, both of whom have been actively involved in advocating
for the adaptive use of the former Longworth complex. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">State
of Michigan historic preservation tax credits expired December 31,
2011 under the direction of Governor Rick Snyder. However, the
federal tax credit program continues, which can account for as much
as 20% of the project cost for redevelopment on properties like the
former Longworth site. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Other
potential buyers have been rumored to have examined the property in
2011. No formal offers have been received.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>2012</u></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">At
the January 12, 2012 work session, DDA members shared their opinions
about how to proceed with the former Longworth site, and City Manager
John Hanifan stated a brief summary of past history. No formal action
was taken. An article posted in the Chelsea Standard stated what many
in attendance thought – that the DDA had informally decided to move
forward with demolition of all but the Mack Building. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The
DDA has not issued a formal vision for the site, beyond what is
listed in the two year old RFP DDA-001. The DDA has not issued
another formal RFP or publicly listed the property for sale. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">PC-CCT
and TCC received no official (written) response to, or feedback or
direction on the Initial Response (2-18-2010), the Supplemental
Response (4-17-2010) or the Updated Initial Response (7-14-2010).</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>January
2013</u></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">The
DDA announced the buildings were for sale for $1 and no tax
abatements but </span><u>without </u><span style="text-decoration: none;">the
$1 million commitment any reasonable offer was going to be consider.
An RFP was posted on the city webstie.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="text-decoration: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Preservation
Chelsea members contacted many companies from the list Michigan
Historic Preservation Network of redevelopment companies . Postcards
were sent, phone calls were made, networking was used to draw people
to this unique opportunity. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>May
31, 2013</u></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Two
proposals were presented to the DDA: Prochaskra/Zachard for housing
and retail and The Longworth Building Development Team headed by
Kadushin and Beal for mixed retail use and lofts. Both would use
state and historic tax credits and require time to secure these.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.14in; orphans: 2; text-decoration: none; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Pollock's
letter indicated the wish for the DDA to support the Longworth
Development Company's request for a tax abatement on the property.
The tax abatement would negate 100 percent of the taxes on the
property at first, but would gradually expect more taxes over a
maximum period of 12 years, as decided by the Chelsea City Council,
before putting the property entirely back on the tax rolls. The
negated taxes would total about $10,000 at most. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>June
8, 2013</u></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">At
the DDA meeting, the following motion was made and seconded:</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Whereas,
the DDA's Request for Proposals (RFP) has solicited two proposals,
one by </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Kadushin/Beal
development team and another by the Prochaska/Zachary development
team. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Neither
proposal has demonstrated the financial commitment as requested. Each
proposal</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">requests
tax abatements from the City which are beyond the authority of the
DDA to accept or </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">obtain.
The mixed use of the Kadushin/Beal proposal is the most viable.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Be
It Resolved, that the DDA invites the Kadushin/Beal team to submit
its draft agreement</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">to
the DDA on or before June 21, 2012, for acquisition and development
of the Longworth </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">property
on the conditions and requirements of the RFP with the following
modifications:</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The
agreement must be accompanied by the irrevocable bank letter of
credit of $1M or </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">other
security acceptable to the DDA to secure improvements in the
property."</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.14in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.14in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>June
21, 2013</u></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.14in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">In
a June 19 letter to City Manager John Hanifan, architect Alexander
Pollock, who was a part of the development team, said the 110
Longworth Building Development Company was no longer interested in
the project.<br /><br />In his letter, Pollock wrote that the developers
could not accept the additional condition set forth by the Downtown
Development Authority on June 7, which included a letter of credit
for $1 million from a bank by the end of a 90-day period.<br /><br />"In
particular, the letter of credit, the short due diligence period, and
reverter are unrealistic and unreasonable and we will not undertake
the business risks to proceed under these conditions," Pollock
wrote.<br /><br />The potential $3.7 million development would have
turned the buildings at the Longworth property into a mixed-use set
of buildings, which would have included a restaurant, lofts and a
pottery studio, as well as an outdoor plaza.<br /></span><u>October
29, 2013</u></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.14in; orphans: 2; text-decoration: none; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The
Daniels Showroom was demolished.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.14in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>October
17, 2014</u></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.14in; orphans: 2; text-decoration: none; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The
livery was demolished.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.14in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>Summer
2015</u></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.14in; orphans: 2; text-decoration: none; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Parking
was installed where the livery once stood. RFP DDA #1-2015 was
posted on the city website for the Mack Building . Preservation
Chelsea wrote a letter,to the DDA for the July 16 meeting,
distributed by Pete Flitolft and copied to the City Council,
requesting that the RFP proposal acceptance date be reset to November
1, 2015. PC expressed a desire to form a working partnership with
the DDA to redevelop the Mack Building.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.14in; orphans: 2; text-decoration: none; widows: 2;">
<br /><br />
</div>
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<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2034194374024887037#sdfootnote1anc" name="sdfootnote1sym">1</a><br /><br />
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Jan Bernathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04658810451021724160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2034194374024887037.post-8782813017807802762014-10-17T11:12:00.001-04:002014-10-17T11:12:17.898-04:00Jan Bernathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04658810451021724160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2034194374024887037.post-29876693186637535232014-10-17T11:11:00.001-04:002014-10-17T11:11:32.864-04:00Cathy Bean, President of Preservation Chelsea, says it all!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHguHvYDrQFP1jjCIU4PiWHCKfu_o3ci5pMAvSajLUHRETTFZu1BwRtKjz_R8tRaO3gxQ9mw80H-vH0Xqym5Jbj29_0rxyUOKBkG6mSIl1C4z-fcCwzy06nmKycNKAymV46ZzYKe1FNdM/s1600/P1030671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHguHvYDrQFP1jjCIU4PiWHCKfu_o3ci5pMAvSajLUHRETTFZu1BwRtKjz_R8tRaO3gxQ9mw80H-vH0Xqym5Jbj29_0rxyUOKBkG6mSIl1C4z-fcCwzy06nmKycNKAymV46ZzYKe1FNdM/s1600/P1030671.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Jan Bernathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04658810451021724160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2034194374024887037.post-50273015304147361302014-10-17T10:57:00.003-04:002014-10-17T10:59:38.711-04:00The way it is...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmrvwiQYSbAtVaTqy4TvT9HKmzZ7cNrej-wQ26ufWIRyaqASID87WO33HYNG6s-xQAL1xSohIwFczeB_y8YfGLRIz9QVTGTa7PXgJen0o24zUkzOKAF5EuWvxL40pRrBHcquWvlqjpqrk/s1600/2014.10.15+Sun+Times+livery+demo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmrvwiQYSbAtVaTqy4TvT9HKmzZ7cNrej-wQ26ufWIRyaqASID87WO33HYNG6s-xQAL1xSohIwFczeB_y8YfGLRIz9QVTGTa7PXgJen0o24zUkzOKAF5EuWvxL40pRrBHcquWvlqjpqrk/s1600/2014.10.15+Sun+Times+livery+demo.jpg" height="640" width="356" /></a></div>
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<br />Jan Bernathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04658810451021724160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2034194374024887037.post-6223900448287286492014-10-17T10:47:00.001-04:002014-10-17T10:51:55.863-04:00The way it was...click on photo to make larger<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuy8WwJOwAaauVGEBpnHZDH4aqy4siu99a02wY97Y-Y-gbZGsKJUozicrc5hcwQQuGc07BnAgBinuUtysU3FFnE4qxnVCbHfnRqUi6pfhJQ5w3cPHmvCESNaNiCStQWr5fZHJ7-FOS9Xo/s1600/2014+10+Sun+Times+demo+pix+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuy8WwJOwAaauVGEBpnHZDH4aqy4siu99a02wY97Y-Y-gbZGsKJUozicrc5hcwQQuGc07BnAgBinuUtysU3FFnE4qxnVCbHfnRqUi6pfhJQ5w3cPHmvCESNaNiCStQWr5fZHJ7-FOS9Xo/s1600/2014+10+Sun+Times+demo+pix+2.jpg" height="248" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />Jan Bernathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04658810451021724160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2034194374024887037.post-33618333856323776372014-05-15T16:03:00.001-04:002014-05-15T16:11:34.015-04:00Please leave your ideas for adaptive reuse of the two remaining structures of the Federal Screw Works site on Congdon StreetThe blogspot is maintained by Preservation Chelsea, and we are delighted that Rene Papo left the two Federal Screw Works (FSW) buildings on Congdon street.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Since block two of Congdon Street has the adaptively reused Catholic School as a community arts center across the street on the corner,</li>
<li>and since small structure across the street still functions as manufacturing building, </li>
<li>adaptive reuse of the remaining two FSW buildings is a good fit for that block of Congdon Street. </li>
</ul>
<br />
This street will be one of the most interesting streets architecturally in Chelsea outside the downtown.<br />
<br />
<br />
Tom Girard is your neighbor and a member of the Preservation Chelsea Board of Directors. Please leave your ideas here, or community with Tom Girard at 474 3632 or drop a line in his mailbox at 320 South Main.<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>We'd like your ideas for how the buildings might be adaptively reused?</li>
<li>What are your concerns? </li>
</ol>
<b><i>Whatever way you choose to communicate, please leave your name, address, and how we might communicate with you. Thank you!!</i></b>Jan Bernathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04658810451021724160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2034194374024887037.post-32955972709727057022013-07-15T13:09:00.001-04:002013-07-15T13:12:12.684-04:00The Sun Times 7.11.13 Plan B<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBaLqa_SBRqquK3DQ83NbMWGIg_TmGTBZgJfJe3JDiDkee9ylOFewMaPhDGHfzdGfML3INUzuZTxAeDJ8wU4bL2azrK5uALILMPA0Q5LiT2a_E-doeIkbkUoYlDS5pgA768EmP2sfDJhY/s1600/The+Sun+Times+7.11.13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBaLqa_SBRqquK3DQ83NbMWGIg_TmGTBZgJfJe3JDiDkee9ylOFewMaPhDGHfzdGfML3INUzuZTxAeDJ8wU4bL2azrK5uALILMPA0Q5LiT2a_E-doeIkbkUoYlDS5pgA768EmP2sfDJhY/s640/The+Sun+Times+7.11.13.jpg" width="264" /></a></div>
<br />Jan Bernathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04658810451021724160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2034194374024887037.post-8829018997119738502013-04-26T10:56:00.002-04:002013-04-26T11:02:54.386-04:00The excellent opportunity for redevelopment last year was not embraced by DDA, CLICK on article to read the consequence...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbqynxhCTSFPAUzinXRfw96SlLBjd34zNb4Arbl3W8AXivp-1iSSivk-bNLqKYrjuOo77ARvLHFYqKhbXLTXRBtTzbhMIXI-WrolGJVtn7QFs23IfmJdrKLmIdK41FX_86fvGAkexo1MU/s1600/Sun+Times+4.23.13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbqynxhCTSFPAUzinXRfw96SlLBjd34zNb4Arbl3W8AXivp-1iSSivk-bNLqKYrjuOo77ARvLHFYqKhbXLTXRBtTzbhMIXI-WrolGJVtn7QFs23IfmJdrKLmIdK41FX_86fvGAkexo1MU/s400/Sun+Times+4.23.13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Jan Bernathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04658810451021724160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2034194374024887037.post-59935656717704379032013-01-17T18:10:00.002-05:002013-01-17T18:11:16.270-05:00The Sun Times 1.15.13--notice $1M no longer required<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnj7-FxmkaHOIetBqmNhW5rXEDyO0Y8HRzQXzqo_nwuiVkENmeU4Fbog-rXSaybPjPYT5LTvLcohb1FOEzGuVpobUL5Kw66InRRcE1YoF2KswOmcqNW0Z3KYuUf2suc1A3nf6ogzE64Xw/s1600/1.15.13+Sun+Time.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnj7-FxmkaHOIetBqmNhW5rXEDyO0Y8HRzQXzqo_nwuiVkENmeU4Fbog-rXSaybPjPYT5LTvLcohb1FOEzGuVpobUL5Kw66InRRcE1YoF2KswOmcqNW0Z3KYuUf2suc1A3nf6ogzE64Xw/s640/1.15.13+Sun+Time.jpg" width="404" /></a></div>
<br />Jan Bernathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04658810451021724160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2034194374024887037.post-53676416066743988132012-11-13T13:31:00.002-05:002012-11-13T13:32:20.068-05:00Chelsea Standard letter to the editor, November 8, 2012 says it all<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAhhpYB6wDWlaFhe6QIZTgy_YS9xbp2D08DnFClEazbLuT3Jk1shgckvRYScbY4qKDo2zo8Whk9xhHe__vFHNxs187nxOrN5QIIAdqrM2pn31dojU8CLaChJJPR2ZiZsmFlo1nMRYtr_A/s1600/Marge+Daniels+LTE+11.08.12-002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAhhpYB6wDWlaFhe6QIZTgy_YS9xbp2D08DnFClEazbLuT3Jk1shgckvRYScbY4qKDo2zo8Whk9xhHe__vFHNxs187nxOrN5QIIAdqrM2pn31dojU8CLaChJJPR2ZiZsmFlo1nMRYtr_A/s400/Marge+Daniels+LTE+11.08.12-002.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Jan Bernathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04658810451021724160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2034194374024887037.post-71794678020842970692012-11-13T13:21:00.000-05:002012-11-13T13:21:02.406-05:00Save our history.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7boIB3zTxMQVcbXmbqeqj6YZpJQw_9rbOw2oQN0oDCyPpshXNEe8_EizdkU8lod5PfF88KQ20Ym7h7nGIjtQR-5QYfjRe5lbr4mruT6WZBvKkz3g_j6Ydxtubp7yrwmonwOcFmHIohAg/s1600/001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7boIB3zTxMQVcbXmbqeqj6YZpJQw_9rbOw2oQN0oDCyPpshXNEe8_EizdkU8lod5PfF88KQ20Ym7h7nGIjtQR-5QYfjRe5lbr4mruT6WZBvKkz3g_j6Ydxtubp7yrwmonwOcFmHIohAg/s320/001.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />Jan Bernathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04658810451021724160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2034194374024887037.post-54623805693558356402012-11-13T13:17:00.001-05:002012-11-13T13:17:44.016-05:00The Daniels Car Showroom graced Main Street and was the only Art Moderne structure in Chelsea. Sadly, the DDA demolished it on October 29, 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi51fMUbXRerIj-A2i4zfJoYjjoGqQSZtoYoCQhsGgaWmxAps7xGYWcfclWDGa5bq6aMFxGBB2xtVFpXcnD-U1aUPGwnEFeqc2x5ePJZVYOCB5OPA4Y4T6dPwoNS5F3OqT-T9bNAm6PGtQ/s1600/chelsea.fly-2.pdf+-+Adobe+Reader.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi51fMUbXRerIj-A2i4zfJoYjjoGqQSZtoYoCQhsGgaWmxAps7xGYWcfclWDGa5bq6aMFxGBB2xtVFpXcnD-U1aUPGwnEFeqc2x5ePJZVYOCB5OPA4Y4T6dPwoNS5F3OqT-T9bNAm6PGtQ/s320/chelsea.fly-2.pdf+-+Adobe+Reader.bmp" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Jan Bernathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04658810451021724160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2034194374024887037.post-80493777630915719192012-11-13T13:14:00.002-05:002012-11-13T13:18:02.445-05:00The end begins.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JG8pFKWSK0YSHoo9NKlWO7CkTOtizJr_a4HMc1B5A3waqI75xXyJSdT7uDnwJGa4t_pxHX1vAoSNuDLZlwDWpmqRElJekZVZ5w51KksVsQVGwuQmpqF42q5Udk7uGh4OuBcQPTekziY/s1600/003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JG8pFKWSK0YSHoo9NKlWO7CkTOtizJr_a4HMc1B5A3waqI75xXyJSdT7uDnwJGa4t_pxHX1vAoSNuDLZlwDWpmqRElJekZVZ5w51KksVsQVGwuQmpqF42q5Udk7uGh4OuBcQPTekziY/s320/003.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Jan Bernathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04658810451021724160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2034194374024887037.post-53577439771944135112012-11-13T13:10:00.002-05:002012-11-13T13:18:48.796-05:00The building leans from the blow.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC-YkDBjcqhnmpkvYGkSEZ7p5VlPp4H6US-o6FETDnOEblf-NW4lQRFGEMu5Js9lYknixtDSMs0-vSfe2pgtqgLMQuNYT0nQMEK0akXQphyphenhyphentrziUiKKIMzva4olB-VrFQ51nI6_V7PJgQ/s1600/005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC-YkDBjcqhnmpkvYGkSEZ7p5VlPp4H6US-o6FETDnOEblf-NW4lQRFGEMu5Js9lYknixtDSMs0-vSfe2pgtqgLMQuNYT0nQMEK0akXQphyphenhyphentrziUiKKIMzva4olB-VrFQ51nI6_V7PJgQ/s320/005.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Jan Bernathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04658810451021724160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2034194374024887037.post-68824008316937398082012-11-13T13:09:00.000-05:002012-11-13T13:19:08.072-05:00The building collapses.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ8cVkzSFp-HSNPhAeM8g3hf2zk8-feEpYV2KOX7nKZt8vZV0CBF1cUEud9JWdAQ_pQ75rwvRjaRi_iRdsyDQhhOYHs38lxpnlJJ7q3zCx0iHFwAlSPeNtRMFrYJvVVEPKqkLBDOI1rIM/s1600/006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ8cVkzSFp-HSNPhAeM8g3hf2zk8-feEpYV2KOX7nKZt8vZV0CBF1cUEud9JWdAQ_pQ75rwvRjaRi_iRdsyDQhhOYHs38lxpnlJJ7q3zCx0iHFwAlSPeNtRMFrYJvVVEPKqkLBDOI1rIM/s320/006.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Jan Bernathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04658810451021724160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2034194374024887037.post-80923688245398147722012-11-13T12:58:00.002-05:002012-11-13T12:58:19.959-05:00The renovated clocktower watched over the end of an era.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_eAwZ9eWsCZkhJl1KxnqkbeLkJZ3Cda8SHmqhZJqHJVFPJ378oi-I76vxMD7E_YiE9mW0keyNabkGVYE1u6GkcZKJpLprhrjLVcrYSOL6LxxjJjQpRj7oJi7Wm3r9Rvzc2-bwQQXoWGc/s1600/007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_eAwZ9eWsCZkhJl1KxnqkbeLkJZ3Cda8SHmqhZJqHJVFPJ378oi-I76vxMD7E_YiE9mW0keyNabkGVYE1u6GkcZKJpLprhrjLVcrYSOL6LxxjJjQpRj7oJi7Wm3r9Rvzc2-bwQQXoWGc/s320/007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Jan Bernathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04658810451021724160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2034194374024887037.post-45098486290125747902012-11-13T12:55:00.003-05:002012-11-13T12:56:16.020-05:00And then it was gone forever.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEKvJqzcTrPtYIFge1NeoRyK9lX_L5VocNQR38tNH555kgT0Knc1Z3udKHewDR0hEWhKwDdfLq64U4DKKcRu77JmMh9xr2zuKkSPtAurHs5cDZyV3JXMRS-TsdmYOvuZN-A3YRt2NkbOc/s1600/008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEKvJqzcTrPtYIFge1NeoRyK9lX_L5VocNQR38tNH555kgT0Knc1Z3udKHewDR0hEWhKwDdfLq64U4DKKcRu77JmMh9xr2zuKkSPtAurHs5cDZyV3JXMRS-TsdmYOvuZN-A3YRt2NkbOc/s320/008.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Jan Bernathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04658810451021724160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2034194374024887037.post-39253784888197676052012-11-13T12:53:00.001-05:002012-11-13T12:53:45.774-05:00No more demo!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUk0e1aijBo2wLrgjXcSnq4XOmbocz4UHquITlg3_5PokJEI6AYlPba5KqrHJixNV27KNTHK1fQkOfW1skYU2nuSdL7A-rsPKYLHHZmCOOPpMcwLQUwYHMnzxmX_T7w-Whs-akHMrU3oE/s1600/009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUk0e1aijBo2wLrgjXcSnq4XOmbocz4UHquITlg3_5PokJEI6AYlPba5KqrHJixNV27KNTHK1fQkOfW1skYU2nuSdL7A-rsPKYLHHZmCOOPpMcwLQUwYHMnzxmX_T7w-Whs-akHMrU3oE/s320/009.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />Jan Bernathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04658810451021724160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2034194374024887037.post-27590516271872610662012-11-01T19:53:00.003-04:002012-11-01T19:54:51.301-04:00Sun Times 10.31.12 Daniels demo -- click on text to read<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzvmmhYvXOchyUxQRP01GPxfbmReHkG9ZHs_wYZl_FkJlk7LE2vUIFISvonUP3J2PwqywrWF5yDV8l7u1dz3aj5si8JgA03TEQiZWRrsAJ9SUCzZgppyUnedQMMyjiEt8qFVXE7z4koEc/s1600/Sun+Times+demo+pix+10.31.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzvmmhYvXOchyUxQRP01GPxfbmReHkG9ZHs_wYZl_FkJlk7LE2vUIFISvonUP3J2PwqywrWF5yDV8l7u1dz3aj5si8JgA03TEQiZWRrsAJ9SUCzZgppyUnedQMMyjiEt8qFVXE7z4koEc/s400/Sun+Times+demo+pix+10.31.12.jpg" width="286" /></a></div>
<br />Jan Bernathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04658810451021724160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2034194374024887037.post-29136037784574550352012-11-01T19:08:00.000-04:002012-11-01T19:11:27.284-04:00Letter to the Editor details "DDA's Demolition by Neglect" -- Sun Times 10.31.12<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">During the public comment segment at the Sept DDA meeting Tom Girard, city resident and engineer at the U </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">of
M, spoke up about lack of basic care and attention to the Longworth
complex that the DDA owns. The property was bought so as to improve the
appearance of the north access to Chelsea. Sad to say but action, or
lack thereof, speaks louder than words in this case, since the purchase
of this property by the DDA has left it in pretty much the condition at
the time of purchase about four years ago. Bear with me as I share some
of the history around this topic. </span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">I was a DDA Board member for twelve
years. Last year I was replaced at the choice of the mayor. However, I
was present during the process from the beginning regarding this
property. Mark Heydlauf, a board member since the Chelsea
DDA's inception, brought before the board the need to purchase the
Longworth property. The basic reasons being: it creates a very
poor image of Chelsea to those heading south on M52 via auto, and
the flash view of Chelsea to those traveling on the train. It
was identified as a "significant" gateway structure and property that
the DDA should purchase and improve. No question, the property had been
deteriorating for years and needed attention. Years prior to this no
one was at all interested in purchasing it and the property was only
getting worse in it's
appearance and upkeep. After a series of presentations,
evaluations and visioning to the DDA Board, a decision was made
to purchase it. The costs to purchase exceeded $400,000 that included:
purchase, engineering studies, soil testing, purchase options, etc. The
vote to buy </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">the property was unanimous. It was purchased at a price that exceeded the appraised value. </span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I'm formerly a restoration contractor and builder.
Rule #1 when a property is purchased is: take necessary steps to ensure
the entire exterior envelope be dry and secured. Exterior
envelope includes: windows, doors, grade for drainage, exterior walls
and roof. Studies and evaluations of the property clearly showed that
the buildings needed to be protected from the elements. Water was
coming in from the roof and parts of the foundation. Windows were
broken and access to the inside was possible. The DDA addressed the
security issues but nothing else. </span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Then, a visioning session was set up with the public
to show what options were being considered for the property in hopes
that improvement to the property could start within a year. Of the
options presented, Option B was selected. Option B showed the adaptive
reuse of only one of the three historic structures. Two buildings were
tobe demolished for parking and a small green space. Consideration for
saving all three of the historically significant buildings to be
adaptively reused was not offered or considered by the DDA. The fact
that one of the historic structures would be adaptively reused was a
revelation in itself. In the twelve years I was on the Board, not once
had the DDA purchased any historic property, improved and adaptively
reused it. I jumped on this opportunity in hopes this might occur. The
Board recognized "Option B"
as the option of choice at the visioning session and voted to go
forward with this choice.</span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Then the game changed. Mark Creswell, a citizen and
local businessman, stepped up to possibly purchase the property. Ut
oh! No one thought there would be interest in this property. Now the
DDA was presented with a dilemma: does the DDA want to get the Longworth
property off their books and allow an entreprenuer to start a business
in this space that might produce revenue or does the DDA carry on with
the envisioned plan for combination demolition/adaptive
re-use plan which keeps the property under the public domain incurring
expenses with all Option B elements they once felt needed to be there? </span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Through much discussion it was decided to allow
consideration of the sale of the property to other entities should the
DDA's purchase conditions be met by a potential buyer. Thus started the
long and tedious effort to possibly have the property put back on the
tax roles and it's improvement fall on the back of a possible
future purchaser. (The process being tedious because it involved:
creation of a "Request for Proposal" ["RFP"] which is a written
question/answer document of many pages, potential buyers requesting
the "RFP" because it had to be completed to be considered a potential
purchaser, completion of the RFP, committee review of the completed
version of the RFP and then, committee accepted RFP's went to the board
for their review). This is a lengthy, time consuming process. </span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">At this point, a number of the DDA Board members
decided there would be no more monies spent on this property if it was
to be owned by someone else in the future. It was at this point that
there appeared a division amongst the Board. Some said that the
property is nothing but old buildings that should be torn down and to go
forward with the plan and others stating that if it can be purchased by
an entreprenuer for private enterprise we should allow that option to
go forward. Once the prospect of private ownership of the property was
in play, the boards commitment to protecting the structure further from
deterioration during the RFP process and thereafter all but disappeared.
</span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Twice, I put forward a motion to spend some money to
protect the buildings. Reasonable sums of money to protect the DDA/City
investment. By role call vote the motions were defeated. Now in the
last four years nothing of significance has been done to improve the
exterior envelopes and incoming water has continued. Even the
one historic structure that was planned to be adaptively reused is in
peril. Maybe those wishing to see the old structures go and
have parking put in its place could see how this might happen.
Its known as "Demolition by Neglect". Can I say for sure this was the
plan? No I can't. Do actions speak louder than words? Demolition is
going forward as I speak.</span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Jim Myles</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Chelsea, MI </span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
Jim and Kim Myle<br />
Owners and Innkeepers <br />
website: www.chelseahouseinn.com <br />
email: innkeeper@chelseahouseinn.com <br />
toll free: 877-618-4935 <br />
local: 734-475-2244
Jan Bernathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04658810451021724160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2034194374024887037.post-89553228034542295422012-11-01T19:01:00.002-04:002012-11-01T19:09:08.190-04:00That "old, simple building" (DDA) is a nationally important--Sun Times 10.31.12<span class="yiv1379487864Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; font-family: Times; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><br />
<div lang="EN-US">
<div class="yiv1379487864WordSection1">
<div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Re: Chelsea Livery</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Dear Editor:</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">For nearly three years, I have been following the news
concerning the livery in Chelsea, a site I visited in the 1990s as the author of<span class="yiv1379487864Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Great American Railroad Stations</i>.
This 570-page book was commissioned by the National Trust for Historic
Preservation and published by John Wiley & Sons. The foreword was
written by the late U.S. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, who was
responsible for the massive restoration and adaptive use of Union
Station in Washington, D.C.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">My
extensive articles about historic transportation and adaptive use of
railroad stations have appeared in numerous scholarly publications. In
addition, I am the principal interviewee in two hour-long documentary
films produced for The History Channels: one on the renowned Grand
Central
Terminal and the other on Manhattan’s original Pennsylvania Station.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">For<span class="yiv1379487864Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Great American Railroad Stations,</i><span class="yiv1379487864Apple-converted-space"> </span>which
covers every state in the country, I conducted direct investigations
and held consultations with hundreds of historians, architects,
entrepreneurs, transportation specialists, librarians, and state
historic preservation officers. The book has an extensive essay on the
social and architectural history of the building type. It then profiles
more than 700 extant depots (of all sizes), the most significant in the
country. One of these is the Chelsea railroad station.</span></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Among
the criteria for a station to be considered, “context” was extremely
important. Is the station still in its original location? Are the tracks
still there? Do trains still run on these tracks? And—very relevant to
Chelsea—do any railroad-related buildings survive in the vicinity of the
station? Such auxiliary buildings tell the story of a station and
vastly increase its historical and educational significance. Few places
retain them. Chelsea is extraordinary and, in my view, literally unique
in retaining not only the first hotel but also the livery. In my
research, I uncovered no equivalent situation. An extremely limited
number of railroad hotels remain; I know of no liveries whatsoever. A
livery was an integral and critical part of a railroad station complex
in the 19th and early
20th centuries. The loss of this building would affect not only
Chelsea, but also the history of everyday life in the United States.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Sincerely,</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Janet Greenstein Potter</span></div>
</div>
<span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1351810710_3"></span><br />
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<span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1351810710_3"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">8425 Navajo St.</span></span></div>
</div>
<span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1351810710_3">
</span>
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<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1351810710_3"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Philadelphia, PA
19118</span></span></div>
</div>
<span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1351810710_3">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">(215) 247-1836</span></div>
</div>
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</div>
Jan Bernathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04658810451021724160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2034194374024887037.post-72370641951236749172012-10-03T12:57:00.001-04:002012-10-03T12:57:59.243-04:00Sun Times 9.25.12--click on text to enlarge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilBkVvYy1sSFx82tyeb8bxbP9PZIAINdGhXY58dp6EqQ2ItXGyXjrtGzcEXq-C_Bkj6fIIP5FUH3XoCnoiAxfKekqCiXjRMDgFfKweof0ypciX9Csd1PDvSP_SW2tqqpucL_8Hzg2ixIw/s1600/Sun+Times+9.25.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilBkVvYy1sSFx82tyeb8bxbP9PZIAINdGhXY58dp6EqQ2ItXGyXjrtGzcEXq-C_Bkj6fIIP5FUH3XoCnoiAxfKekqCiXjRMDgFfKweof0ypciX9Csd1PDvSP_SW2tqqpucL_8Hzg2ixIw/s400/Sun+Times+9.25.12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Jan Bernathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04658810451021724160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2034194374024887037.post-58466413875767372062012-10-03T12:52:00.001-04:002012-10-03T12:53:13.124-04:00"Demolition by neglect." "It is called group think."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIBdHjHAQ5l43199XQSqYpz5slpHq73HKOLKP1R_PSzL6-9svTVPmaA7JgGdEdFdiVPfnZ9OyM4sHqfdiSfXbataWOTc_dR3J56sDu5SKSJAZUm20r7xJQ6OlDg9JvI_WQ9r0UIOOt1pM/s1600/Sun+Times+9.25.12+p+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIBdHjHAQ5l43199XQSqYpz5slpHq73HKOLKP1R_PSzL6-9svTVPmaA7JgGdEdFdiVPfnZ9OyM4sHqfdiSfXbataWOTc_dR3J56sDu5SKSJAZUm20r7xJQ6OlDg9JvI_WQ9r0UIOOt1pM/s640/Sun+Times+9.25.12+p+8.jpg" width="272" /></a></div>
<br />Jan Bernathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04658810451021724160noreply@blogger.com0