When Patch asked readers, "What do you want to see at the Harper Furniture site?" in January 2012, a flood of ideas came in for the 36,322-square-foot property.
Kimberly Middlewood and others wanted something "kid-friendly." Jennifer Acevedo offered Java Jungle, Beverly Hills Royal Oak Sub suggested Chucky Cheese and Brett Hermance tossed out Dave & Busters.
Others wanted retail. Everything from Moosejaw to REI to a second-hand mall "where merchants would sell used merchandise, furniture, clothes and toys" was suggested.
"Anything but another bar or restaurant," wrote Michelle.
[Read What do you want to see at the Harper Furniture site?]
Drumroll, please
Well the property, which has been vacant since 2005, is on the Royal Oak Planning Commission agenda when it meets next Tuesday and the proposed development is...drumroll, please.Owner Goodman Property, LLC wants to convert the former furniture store into ground-level business, administrative, or professional offices, medical offices and 12 upper-level multiple-family dwelling units.
The petitioner and architect for the project is Royal Oak-based HF Architecture, which has experience renovating buildings in Royal Oak, from the B+C restoration (now Bastone Brewery) to the Hilzinger building restoration to the current renovation of the former Royal Music Center.
Elevations for the project call for existing stucco panels to be removed and brick to be cleaned and patched. New aluminum clad windows are shown on the second floor, while new storefront glass is proposed for the first level on the west elevation.
The south elevation shows the proposed entrance to the residences and a garage door entrance to covered parking.
A special land use and site plan public hearing is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Oct. 8 at City Hall.
What do you think of the proposed development? Let us know in the comments.
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