Millrace - [ In the News ]

A new vision of the Clinton River Trail as a historical amenity was presented Monday night by the Rochester Avon Historical Society.

Society President Greg Doyle proposed that the city of Rochester allow the 1880 Rochester Elevator building to be moved to city-owned land adjacent to the trail just east of Main Street's south bridge. The elevator's present site on East University and Water Street is about to be redeveloped and if it is to be preserved, the Society must move it by the end of the year.

"We're really confident that with the help of the community we can accomplish this project," Doyle told Rochester City Council on Monday. ...more

ROYAL PARK HOTEL GRANTED PERMANENT MEMBERSHIP IN THE LEADING HOTELS OF THE WORLD, LTD.

Image: Copyright © 2004 Scott Dreslinski

ROCHESTER, Mich. (2/10/05) – The luxury boutique Royal Park Hotel in Rochester is pleased to announce that it has earned permanent membership in The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd., one of the world’s premier luxury hotel organizations.

The Royal Park recently passed an important site inspection by Leading Hotels’ examiners, allowing its membership to convert from provisional to permanent status. The affiliation gives the Royal Park worldwide exposure, an important tool for an independent hotel.

The Royal Park Hotel is the only Michigan property in the organization’s portfolio. The luxurious 143-room hotel joins more than 400 of the finest luxury hotels in cities like London, Paris, Singapore, Milan and Sydney.

http://www.royalparkhotel.net/pressroom.html

ROCHESTER -- ...

Officials see an economic boost. New projects will mean a larger tax base and more foot traffic for downtown shops.

Others worry that the developments - along with recent decisions regarding special project districts - will chip away at the city's history and small-town charm.

"The whole character of this community is changing and will continue to change," said Rod Wilson, who has lived in the area since 1961. (more)

By Shawn D. Lewis / The Detroit News
04/03/05
Read more...

ROCHESTER -- Greg Doyle often bikes along Paint Creek Trail into downtown Rochester to shop or dine. He's been a resident for 21 years and still admires downtown's charm.

"This is a very unique, quaint place," he said. "We've got buildings dating to the 1850s up to the early 1900s on both sides of downtown, and it gives a unique look and flavor to the area."

But the city's charm may be challenged when the dust clears on an unprecedented multimillion-dollar building boom the city is using to grow its tax base.

Some 220 condominiums and three new office buildings are changing the face of the city. And new shops, lofts and a $45 million luxury hotel that has hosted President Bush are changing its vibe.

The changes in the face of Rochester had their birth about five years ago when the city updated its master plan, calling for more upscale development.

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Millrace will have 16 condos, as well as first-floor commercial space
Web-posted Feb 10, 2005

By DOUG HENZE
Of The Daily Oakland Press
Read the full story

A mixed-use development that will bring condominiums and commercial space to a downtown site along the Clinton River could be ready for occupancy as soon as this summer.

Millrace will feature 10,000 square feet of first-floor commercial space and 16 condos on the second and third floors in one building, and 5,000 square feet of office space for Edict Inc. in the second building, which will be two stories. Edict, a Web development company now headquartered in leased space on Water Street, is developing the project.

Millrace, being built on a formerly vacant 1 1/2-acre site on the south side of Mill Street east of Rochester Road (Main Street), is one of two mixed-use developments now under way downtown. Millrace, along the Clinton River Trail, is going up in a district that has been historically industrial.

"The goal in designing the building was to make it fit with the character of the neighborhood, so you'd say, 'Gee did they renovate an old factory?' " said Tor Hough, a Millrace partner and president of Edict. The two-bedroom, 1,700-square-foot condos will have an urban loft look, with high ceilings, exposed duct work and wood floors.

They'll also have fireplaces, attached garages, basements and terraces. Southfield architectural firm Dorchen-Martin Associates Inc. designed the project, and C.A. Kime of Warren is constructing it.

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All of downtown would allow projects regardless of restrictions
January 10, 2005

by Anjali Fluker
Crain's Detroit Business

Full story available from Crain's Detroit Business

Development looks plentiful in 2005
January 6, 2005 Read the Full Story

By Annette Kingsbury
Staff Writer
Rochester Eccentric

"...Rochester

With new residential development on the way for downtown, the city of Rochester and its Downtown Development Authority will work on improving the market for the commercial district.

The results of a DDA market study are expected to be released this month. DDA Chairman Marty Sibert said last week he's awaiting the report.

"Hopefully it will tell us who our customers are and where we can position ourselves as far as the market and what people want downtown," he said. "I don't think it's necessarily an action plan, but I do think it will give us an idea of where we want to go to help us formulate one."

Based on input from residents and the business community, the planning commission will be looking for a new town square to become a focal point downtown. The notion may not have broad support yet, Sibert said. But there is general agreement to work toward expanding the business district eastward from Main Street.

"I think it presents us with an opportunity to hopefully be able to formulate an idea of what that area might look like," he said. "Based upon that, maybe we can begin to seek developers that might be interested."

The city will also take a look at expanding its special projects zoning designation as a way to stimulate new and exciting proposals.

At least four developments that will bring hundreds of new loft-style residences to the city are in various stages of development. The developers of Millrace, a small, office_residential development on Mill Street, have a new Web site, www.millracerochester.com, extolling the virtues of life in downtown Rochester..."

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More people to live downtown, and they will find more work and shopping nearby
December 30, 2004 Read the full story

By Cecilia Oleck
Staff Writer
Detroit Free Press

"..The bustle in downtown Rochester won't disappear once the holidays are over. At least that's what local merchants and developers pouring millions into the city's center are banking on.

With four major projects set to create 223 condos and townhouses, combined with new office and retail spots and the redevelopment of vacant buildings, 2005 is shaping up to be a busy year in the area...

Location and the lure of a downtown atmosphere are among the reasons city officials, merchants and developers believe the boom is happening...

Millrace:

Work on this two-building, mixed-use project began in August. The 30,000-square-foot structure will have about 10,000 square feet of first-floor office space and 16 loft-style condominiums on the top two floors.

A two-story, 5,000-square-foot office building will house Edict Inc., a Web services firm that has seven full-time employees.

Located on the east side of the Main Street bridge on the south end of town, the condominiums and offices will look out over the Clinton River.

The buildings are expected to be completed by late summer, said Tor Hough of Rhumb Line LLC, the site's developer. Prices have yet to be set.

"We're glad to contribute by developing a part of the city that has been industrial for such a long time, and to put something nice in there," said Hough, a Rochester native..."

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Rochester MI – December 8, 2004 –Edict Incorporated announces the launch of http://www.millracerochester.com, an informational website for Millrace, a residential and commercial development in downtown Rochester.  Construction began on the development in early August.

The website introduces the community of Rochester to the community of Millrace. Interested families and businesses can stay up-to-date without having to be present at the construction site. Photo slideshows of each phase of construction are updated regularly…yes, even in the snow! “We’re excited because the website will grow into a place where residents and tenants are more connected to each other and the surrounding Rochester area,” says Nick Gaydos of Edict Incorporated.

Visitors to http://www.millracerochester.com can sign-up to receive announcements and notification when units in the development are available for sale or lease.

The website also provides:

• Building specifications and floor plans
• Location and contact information
• Photos of the construction progress
• Financial options and services
• Development updates
• Questions and answers
• Calendar

Millrace is located on Mill Street in downtown Rochester, Michigan. The development sits along the Clinton River and Trail, and offers both living and work spaces. Sixteen loft-style condominiums overlook the Clinton River and include an attached garage, basement, terrace, fireplace and many elegant amenities. 9,000 square feet of commercial space is available on the first-floor with convenient parking and a short walk to the shops and restaurants of downtown Rochester. Other available amenities include on-site storage and high-speed Internet access.  Detailed information and floor plans are available at: http://www.millracerochester.com

The Millrace complex includes a 5,000 square foot, two-story office building east of the condominiums, which will house Edict Incorporated – a web services firm. 

ABOUT EDICT: Edict Incorporated is a leading provider of web-based application development services. Founded in 1987 (in a garage in downtown Rochester!), Edict was an early leader in web-based applications development and has continually demonstrated the ability to deliver high-quality applications in leading edge technologies.  A Microsoft Certified Partner, Edict, delivered design, development and consulting services to 68 separate clients in the last year.  More information on Edict can be found at http://www.edict.com.   Edict is responsible for the design and hosting of the Millrace website.

Full release available here in PDF format

City officials expect 200-plus new condos to be ready by next year

The Detroit News, September 22, 2004
Joe Menard

Section: Neighborhood News
Edition: No Dot
Page: 06K

ROCHESTER - Downtown is experiencing a housing boom, with more than 200 new condominiums planned to open within the next year. The boom comes as a strong response to a Downtown Development Authority survey last year that found that 44 percent of 3,500 polled said they would be interested in living downtown if housing were available. There were "only about 10 people living in the downtown core two years ago," said Carol Gardner, executive director of the DDA. "I fully expect there will be about 350 new condos in the downtown by 2006." Four developments in and around the downtown are expected to open next year and will test the validity of the survey responses. "This will be an interesting test to see how well the developers market them," said City Manager Ken Johnson. The sizes range from an eight-condo development at Walnut Boulevard and Second Street to a 184-unit project planned for Mill Street south of Second. All are within walking distance of the downtown core. "Our goal is to get more and more people to walk downtown," said Johnson, adding that the more people who live downtown, the better the city's economy will be. "People who live on the periphery are likely to get in their cars, then you have a good chance of losing them," said Gardner. "If we have more people in the core downtown, that's going to bring in more retail. That's why Royal Oak and Birmingham are so successful. They have that to fall back on." The DDA has spent the last two years wooing developers and brokers to the area and expects the new Royal Park Hotel and Paint Creek and Clinton River trails to help draw in developments. "It was something we initiated and hoped would happen," Gardner said. "We're doing what we can, but (the economy is) tough right now. We'll get there. It's just a matter of time."

Millrace

At Mill Street just east of the Clothes Closet, construction on Mill Race started in August. The development will include first-floor office and commercial space with 16 two-floor condominiums stacked on top. The two-bedroom loft condos are expected to open next spring. "We're likely to see a younger, more active demographic," said Tor Hough, a partner with Rhumb Line LLC, which is developing the project. "It's for someone who enjoys downtown living and the conveniences that Rochester has to offer." A smaller second building will house Edict Inc., a Web design firm owned by Hough, a Rochester native. "We're extraordinarily excited," he said. "For us, it's a hometown project."

202 Walnut

At Walnut and Second, just west of Main Street, the three-story 202 Walnut will feature first-floor retail space and eight one- and two-bedroom condominiums spread over the top two floors. Groundbreaking is expected this year, and the project will be completed next summer, said Joe LoChirco, president of LoChirco Homes Inc. "It's going to be a fantastic looking building. It's got a rustic look and will look like it's always been part of the downtown," LoChirco said. The development's key selling points will be its proximity to Main Street, a third-floor sun deck and 16 parking spaces within the building, he said. "People can go out there and sunbathe or have a little private get-together," said LoChirco, also a Rochester native. "I grew up in this town. It's very exciting."

Condor Lofts on Main Street

Located at the former Denny's restaurant, Condor Lofts will include one floor of office space topped with 11 condos spread over two floors. The only development planned for Main Street, the two-bedroom Condor Lofts will sit right at the Paint Creek, just a block north of downtown's major shopping and dining area. "It's probably the best location in the city," said developer Bedros Avedian, owner of Avedian Properties LLC. "Somebody can come out of their house, walk across the street and take the Paint Creek Trail, or they can head south on Main Street and they're at all the restaurants." He expects to break ground in November and have the project wrapped up by next September. "Birmingham has had condos built in the last few years, and Rochester has not. I wanted to build something on Main Street," Avedian said. "You've got everything going for you right there."

Mill Town

The largest of the planned developments, Mill Town will bring 184 two-story condos spread over 24 buildings on nearly 18 acres on Mill Street next to the Clinton River. Built on the site of an old flour mill, the development will include a plaza with a landmark - the remains of the mill. "It will document what happened there," said Tom Turnbull, vice president of Trident Property Inc. Plans call for relocating the Clinton River Trail to the water's edge, putting this development right at the trail where the Clinton and Paint Creek meet. "It's going to appeal to people who want that in-town product in a location that has tremendous recreational opportunities," Turnbull said. "You're on two rivers and two trails. Its an exceptional location. You can get anywhere on these two trails, and you're in walking distance from downtown Rochester." He expects to begin building the three-bedroom condominiums next summer and have them ready for occupancy by the end of 2005. This parcel of Mill Street in Rochester is the future site of condos, which will join the influx of new housing downtown.