Traffic increase drives commercial activity near Skyline High School
Increased traffic to Skyline High School and the prospect of even more as the school ramps up to capacity is prompting more commercial real estate activity at the corner of Miller and Maple roads.
Marathon Oil is removing four underground storage tanks in preparation for selling its closed down gas station at the northeast corner of the intersection.
And at the southwest corner, a retail development built in 2007 but never occupied is close to signing two fast-casual eateries, the broker representing the property said.
Nearly 870 students and 100 staff members go to Skyline every day, and that number will reach approximately 1,800 students and 140 staff when the school is full in two years, said school district spokeswoman Liz Margolis.
That translates into more cars going through the Miller/Maple intersection, and more interest in the real estate, said Jim Chaconas of Colliers International, who represents the property at the southwest corner.
"Yes, traffic has picked up and the volume there is picking up," he said.
Chaconas said he's in final talks with Subway to put a sandwich shop in 1,100 square feet of the development, which is owned by an LLC associated with Basile Lagos, according to city and state records. A pizza place is considering taking the other half, he said.
He predicted food-oriented businesses would be the only ones interested in the Marathon property once it goes on the market.
Marathon is removing three 10,000-gallon gasoline storage tanks and one 550-gallon used oil tank from its property, said company spokeswoman Chris Fox. Some contaminated soil is also being removed, although how much is not clear.
Fox said the goal is to make the property more attractive for non-gas-station users when the property is sold.
According to its Web site, Marathon has 60 properties for sale in Michigan. The Ann Arbor site is not yet listed.
Freelance reporter Dan Meisler can be reached at danmeisler@gmail.com.
Comments
Laura Meisler
Mon, Oct 19, 2009 : 4:44 p.m.
One student's death, although tragic, does not justify keeping all students on campus, nor does it guarantee the safety of all students. I know plenty of adults who are poor planners and/or time managers, and they rush everywhere...not just back from lunch. Open lunch campuses provides opportunities for young folks to learn the responsibility of managing their lunch time and socialize with each other (and non-students) in different settings...kind of like "real" life.
Dan Meisler
Mon, Oct 19, 2009 : 11:57 a.m.
After a reader e-mail questioned the sizes of the tanks being removed by Marathon Oil, I called spokeswoman Chris Fox to check them. She said she had given me incorrect information on the size of the oil recycling tank, which is actually 550 gallons rather than 550,000 gallons. Fox confirmed that the other three tanks were 10,000-gallon. The story has been corrected.
Indicat
Sun, Oct 18, 2009 : 5:48 p.m.
Yes, Dr. I Emsayin, it is a good idea to keep students in during lunch. You only need to be reminded of what happened almost two years ago in Dexter, where a student was killed when students left campus, and you will realize accidents can occur. If you have inexperienced drivers rushing to get back to school on time (not saying that's what happened in Dexter) you are increasing the odds for accidents. Not only that, according to the president of Skyline's PTSO the roundabouts near the school are unsafe due to lack of maintenance. So walking students are at risk of being hit if they are out during lunch. The safest place for students to be during the day is inside the buildings.
Dr. I. Emsayin
Sun, Oct 18, 2009 : 11:26 a.m.
The students report that Skyline will not ever allow their students an open lunch, and Pioneer is closing open lunch next year. Perhaps the businesses will be frequented by hungry moms and dads who drive their children to school. I feel sorry for the small business owners like Izzy's who have catered to high school students so diligently. Do you think requiring all students stay in school for lunch is a good idea?
An
Sun, Oct 18, 2009 : 9:04 a.m.
Maple Village Shopping Center?
HappySenior
Sun, Oct 18, 2009 : 6:07 a.m.
There is a strip mall just north of the old gas station. Can you investigate if new business is going in there? So many empty storefronts.