Proposed Dexter Wellness Center project wins brownfield financing support from MEDC
The Michigan Economic Development Corp.'s Michigan Economic Growth Authority board today approved a $230,000 brownfield redevelopment financing package for a proposed new wellness center on Baker Road in Dexter Village.
BST Investments plans to invest about $9 million to develop 88,000 square feet of commercial space at 2810 Baker Road, according to MEDC documents.
This portion of the project, on 7.4 acres, includes the demolition of a 83,345-square-foot light industrial building and the construction of a new 53,081-square-foot Dexter Wellness Center, according to the documents.
The new facility is expected to create 50 to 60 new full-time jobs at an average hourly wage of $18, according to documents the developers filed as part of the brownfield redevelopment application.
“When this project comes together, this will be a wonderful addition for our Baker Road corridor, which has seen a resurgence of new business over the last few years,” said Jim Carson, a village councilman and the newly re-elected president of the Village of Dexter's Economic Development Corporation.
He said the Dexter Pharmacy building “jump-started the corridor improvement and the wellness center will be good for the pharmacy.”
BST Investments previously redeveloped the northwestern corner of the property, demolishing two buildings and constructing a new facility for the Dexter Pharmacy.
Included in the requested brownfield financing are $230,000 for demolition of the building on the property, $48,000 in site remediation and $24,000 in administrative costs.
In addition, apart from this project, the construction of a third, multi-story, brick commercial building is planned, according to the project description.
Parking and landscaping will be added throughout the property.
Eligible activities must be completed within five years of the brownfield plan's approval, Brett Lenart of Washtenaw County’s Economic Development and Energy Department said when the proposal was approved by the Dexter Village Council in early March.
Lisa Allmendinger is a reporter with AnnArbor.com. She can be reached at lisaallmendinger@annarbor.com. For more Dexter stories, visit our Dexter page.
Comments
Donald A. DeSmith
Tue, Nov 15, 2011 : 10:11 p.m.
I hope they come up with a design that is more appealing than the Dexter Pharmacy. Dexter Pharmacy is a nice business, but the building has to be one of the worst looking buildings in 6 counties. It looks like a fort. All it needs is a moat around it. And a drawbridge.
pearl
Wed, Nov 16, 2011 : 6:23 p.m.
"one of the worst looking buildings in 6 counties"... that's pretty harsh! I suppose you would prefer to see the old Colorbok building that used to occupy that site, instead? Maybe the remaining old Colorbok warehouse buildings should just be left where they are, rather than risk having a new Wellness Center added to your "worst looking buildings " list?
Village Person
Wed, Nov 16, 2011 : 1:39 p.m.
You may not care for the building, but hopefully you care about the business. Dexter Pharmacy is a local institution and deserves our patronage. They have wonderful staff and great prices on many items (quite often significantly lower than Rite Aid). Please don't let your dislike of the building stop you from shopping at a locally-owned small business. No big box stores in Dexter!
Marilyn Wilkie
Tue, Nov 15, 2011 : 11 p.m.
I liked their old stores on Main much better. This one is not inviting.
justcurious
Tue, Nov 15, 2011 : 7:31 p.m.
Will this Center be privately owned? Who will be the tenants? Will it be affiliated with St. Joe or U of M? What exactly will be there?