Comments on: University Bank Project Postponed

By: Jack F.

Jack F. — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 17:47:43 +0000

“Lastly, as to public benefit, we had added outside bicycle parking and isn’t 10 new jobs a great public benefit?”

No this doesn’t mean a damn thing to members of this city body. Sort of like when Bill Clinton was in town and our good Mayor babbled about looking out for the ‘disadvantaged’ (i.e. the POOR folk) by making sure they had lots of half empty ‘green’ buses running up and down the streets. I suggest the bank move out of the building, tear it down and let’s build another chain drugstore in its place.

By: Stephen Lange Ranzini

Stephen Lange Ranzini — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 15:42:31 +0000

I would like to point out that only 3 homes adjacent to the Hoover Mansion property expressed concerns about the project out of the 16 properties adjacent to the property (all but one are residential homes). Going into the meeting we had been told by one of these families who expressed opposition that they supported the project and they never informed us otherwise, even before the meeting when I talked to them in the hallway. Another gentlemen has never shown up to any of the many neighborhood meetings we hosted nor returned any of our messages or letters and expressed his opposition at the meeting for the first time. We had offered to spend up to $10,000 to create a green screen for the one neighbor who had expressed opposition prior to the meeting, and offered to put that planting on our property or his as he desires.

Based the many discussions with all the neighbors, the option we presented is the least impactful option to all the neighbors and least impactful to the front lawn view shed of the property that the 40,000 cars that pass in front of the mansion each day enjoy. If we use the length of the driveway for parking as the planning staff suggests, all you would see is cars in the front yard. Without additional parking it is my professional opinion that the building is not sustainable in the long term as an office building and will ultimately be torn down, as the 3.4 acres surrounding the building is more valuable than the building itself without adequate parking to fully use the building. While that is not my desire, if we are forced to sell the building and relocate elsewhere, there is no guarantee what the next owner(s) will do. Money makes people do stupid things.

Lastly, as to public benefit, we had added outside bicycle parking and isn’t 10 new jobs a great public benefit? We are now revising the plan based on further feedback adding a walking path up the side yard of the property opposite the driveway and covered bicycle parking out of sight behind the mansion.

If anyone has any concerns about the plans or any new suggestions, you may reach me at ranzini(at)university-bank.com.

Stephen Lange Ranzini
President & CEO
University Bank

By: TeacherPatti

TeacherPatti — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 18:05:15 +0000

Make that “Hoover”. I get all aquiver thinking about it….

By: TeacherPatti

TeacherPatti — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 18:04:26 +0000

I always wanted to live in the “Hooever Mansion”. I’m just throwing that out there in case someone wants to give it to me :)

By: Bob Martel

Bob Martel — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 15:41:54 +0000

I sympathize with both University Bank and the neighbors. The bank needs to grow and the residents in a residential area deserve to be protected from the noise etc… from an adjacent business use. I’m not sure that there will be a good solution to this conundrum.

By: Rod Johnson

Rod Johnson — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 13:25:38 +0000

I’m interested in this dog bathroom idea. My dog has atrocious habits in this regard–perhaps we could get him one.