Brighton DDA Approves Land Purchase for Parking Garage

The Brighton Downtown Development Authority (DDA) approved a resolution to proceed with the option to purchase the   for $437,500 in order to build a parking garage.

According to Rich & Associates, the firm who provided the recent parking study, the North Street location is good because it is visible from Grand River Avenue. Also because businesses on the east side of Grand River.

DDA Executive Director Matt Modrack said that the site gives them a solution to downtown parking, which is limited in the evening.

"The Second Street lot - over by the railroad tracks - will handle any future demand on the west side of downtown, like the new brewery for example, and 121 W. North Street would handle any growth on the Grand River and West Street part of downtown, taking care of the two areas identified as future demand for parking," Modrack said.

Modrack said that the parking garage could also open up the parking lot and the expansive lots at the Methodist and Presbyterian churches next to the chamber building for use.

"That is an additional 240 spaces that could come in handy for festivals, etcetera," he said. "We would need agreements with each, but the design is showing pedestrian access from that side - not vehicle access, only pedestrian."

The DDA also directed Brighton architect firm to secure demolition bids for the current 8,900 square foot, two-story office building existing on the property.

Modrack said that they will demolish the building before the summer café season. 

"The demolition produces approximately 25 easily seen parking spaces immediately," Modrack said. "We need those spaces asap as the downtown is packed in mid-February on Wednesday through Saturday nights."

Modrack said if parking never materializes, the DDA will still have a highly developable site that will support an office building.

"We have a pro formula and the project would support the land price we paid," Modrack said. "I wanted a “plan B” in case we can’t pull off the structure."