Troy

Two new restaurants, retail center approved for Big Beaver

By Terry Oparka
C & G Staff Writer

After the Troy Planning Commission sent the developer back to the drawing board three times, plans will now proceed for the first phase of a mixed-use center on the north side of Big Beaver, just west of I-75.

The Planning Commission unanimously approved preliminary site plans for a Carrabbas Italian Grill at the east end, a retail center in the middle and Bonefish Grill to the west on the 5.9-acre site March 12. This is the first phase of the project, known as Galleria of Troy. The second phase will include a hotel or hotels behind the restaurants and retail center.

The restaurants and retail center will be set close to the street, with parking behind.

The Planning Commission asked the developer to provide an architectural design that integrates the three separate parts of the development into a consistent design pattern when the developer asked for approval of site plans for the project Feb. 12.

Ben Carlisle of Carlisle/Wortman Associates, the city’s planning consultant, said in his report to the Planning Commission that  “the applicant has made significant improvements to address building cohesiveness and providing quality public/semi-public space.”

Plans that include a central plaza with outdoor art are featured on the site, which Jim Butler, civil engineer for Professional Engineering Associates, representing the developer, Group 10 Management, said have not been commissioned yet.

The plans include a trash bin at the northeast corner of the building next to the pedestrian walkway, which Carlisle and planning commissioners objected to but the developer said will stay. 

Carlisle said he was concerned about aesthetics and odor from the trash.

Planning Commission Chair John Tagle, also an architect, said in his professional opinion, the placement of the bin next to the walkway is a “big mistake.”

“Everything you’ve asked us to do, we’ve done,” Butler said. “The operators of Bonefish know their business,” he said, referring to the location of the bin.

“We think you’ll be very proud,” Butler said of the project.

Troy City Planner Brent Savidant did not have a date for when the first phase of the Galleria of Troy will be finished. Butler could not be reached for comment before press time.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Terry Oparka at toparka@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1054.