Downtown Adrian Riverfront plan gaining interest, traction locally and at state level

ADRIAN — Downtown Adrian has been under an evolution of sorts for some time, and a pretty sizable project within the area continues to gain traction both locally and at the state level, including a multimillion-dollar appropriation from the state of Michigan.

The Downtown Adrian Riverfront project is progressing along with several financial and planning discussions still being had to this day. While there has not been any visual improvements made as of yet to the existing area within the scope of the project, developers and those at the discussion table are expecting conversations to continue through the end of the year at least, with project groundbreaking to possibly begin this coming spring or summer.

The riverfront project was born from the 2019 Strategic Action Plan — Reinvent Downtown Adrian, which stems from the city of Adrian’s Downtown Development Authority (DDA). The project aims for a “bold, new plan” for development along the South Branch of the River Raisin in Adrian. The plan includes new residential development along North Winter Street, new parks and open space, walking trails, public amenities and a renewed focus on the river ecosystem.

“This public investment would be a catalyst for private development, encouraging additional economic development along the river and in the city at large,” a portion of the project’s goal and vision plan said.

The project also aims to "Reveal the River" by providing visual and physical means of connection and appreciation to the River Raisin; build resiliency in Adrian’s economy, environment and infrastructure; and increase urban residential offerings.

The vision for the project was able to become somewhat of a reality when properties along North Winter Street, consisting of the former Daily Telegram office building, 133 N. Winter St., the former Access Shopper’s Guide, 155 N. Winter St., and the former Eagles building, 205 N. Winter St., were put up for auction in summer 2021 and were purchased by the Adrian Development Collaborative LLC. The company’s partners include Mark and Mary Murray, Brian Slusarski, Mike Slusarski, Dusty Steele, Kirk Valentine and Scott Westfall.

The three buildings, which have been vacant for about a year and mostly are used for storage purposes, were purchased by the collaborative for $335,660.85. The former Access and Eagles buildings have been condemned by the city of Adrian due to overall building deterioration and the presence of mold and asbestos.

The initial starting point for the project to come together is the teardown and removal of those three buildings. Steele said this is also part of the city’s effort to tackle and mediate blight throughout Adrian.

“The first thing about the project is the removal of blight and opening up the view to the river,” he said. “The focal point (the collaborative) had when the buildings were up for sale was apartments. Forty-five unit facilities.”

This planned residential district would not only address the blight issue in Adrian, but it would also alleviate some of the need for housing in Adrian and in Lenawee County.

There is still, however, work to be done before the existing buildings can be torn down and apartment buildings can be constructed, said Steele, who is the spokesperson for the Downtown Adrian Riverfront plan. At least $350,000 worth of remediation needs to be spent on removing asbestos and other harmful sub-surface findings from the Eagles building alone before it can be properly and safely removed, he said. The former Daily Telegram office would be the second most expensive building to clean up before it comes down.

“It’s going to take some effort,” Steele said. “It’s going to take some effort and commitment.”

With the projected construction of apartments and the potential for more parking lots downtown, the riverfront plan also seeks to address the River Raisin in Adrian by cleaning up its banks, addressing its walkability and increasing the river’s habitat enhancements.

A continuous extension of the Kiwanis Trail in Adrian would allow for the existing trail to join in with the plans for the riverfront project. An industrial bridge over the river would be reimagined as a pedestrian and bike connector, too. On the west side of the river, an industrial space would be transformed into nearly 10 acres of public parkland that would increase access to the river, recreational opportunities, environmental resiliency and flood mitigation.

The plan also proposes the introduction of an oxbow — a u-shaped or curved bend in a river that is cut off from the main river flow, forming a lake — that would create a habitat island at the river’s bend. In total, 3,000 feet of new pedestrian, multiuse trails are planned, 1,900 feet of riverbank would be restored and 1,700 feet of recreated natural riverbank is also expected.

Because of the several facets of the project and its proposed enhancements to Adrian, interest, involvement and funding for the project are rolling in, Steele said.

“This becomes more and more attractive to people who want a slower lifestyle and a small-town feeling, he said. “The whole idea behind it, though, is you need to give (people) something to do.”

There are a number of Michigan and wildlife agencies who have expressed their interest in the riverfront plan, Steele said, as increased opportunities around the river can allow for fishing, kayaking, canoeing and birdwatching.

In its fiscal year 2022-23 appropriation from late September, the Michigan Legislature earmarked a grant of $12 million for the city of Adrian — on top of a grant it received earlier this year from the state in the amount of $3 million — to work with the DDA to remove blight, encourage development and fund river cleanup activities. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed the legislation.

“This is a huge investment in Lenawee County, and will help Adrian revitalize its downtown, improve outdoor recreation opportunities and protect local water sources,” state Sen. Dale Zorn, R-Onsted, said when the $12 million was approved by the Senate. “Our downtown areas are the heartbeat of our communities, and this effort will help attract more economic activity and people to downtown Adrian — which benefits everyone in the region.”

This total $15 million appropriated to Adrian from the state can make a huge dent in covering project costs, Steele said. The entire project is estimated to be at least $25 million. Private donations and funds utilized by the city of Adrian for beautification purposes should be able to cover another large portion of the remaining $10 million in project costs.

The collaborative has said it expects the project to be completed by 2028. Steele, stating the redevelopment project is not “an overnight thing,” said he hopes it can be completed by 2026, but is not making any such promises on that date.

“I think it's a beautiful blend of everybody coming together,” he said. “It's what we're seeing in models across the country. This is how you make it happen. This is how you get together and make something special happen for your community.”

The Adrian Development Collaborative is also in conversation with the Citizens Gas Fuel Co. and its parent company, DTE Energy. Steele said the collaborative is hoping to conduct a “swap” in which Citizens gives the collaborative its land at 117 N. Winter St. and the collaborative, along with assistance from the city of Adrian, will provide Citizens Gas a location to redevelop its service station. Additional conversations are taking place with other businesses and building owners along North Winter Street, too, Steele said, to see if those building and businesses owners are interested in selling their buildings to the collaborative or if they don't plan on relocating. Nothing has been cemented from those conversations, he said. The collaborative, he added, is not in the business of being forceful or driving people away from their property.

“(Citizens) wants to build another facility and we've been looking at pieces of land for that,” Steele said. “And we're very encouraged where we're at with this discussion.”

The city of Adrian has seen the development plans and the Adrian City Commission has endorsed the project’s progression. The River Raisin Watershed Council has also expressed interest in being a partner during the process, Steele said.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Downtown Adrian Riverfront vision plan seeing local, state support