On “the dot” – Ferndale’s New Mixed Use Parking Deck to Open Soon
(Crystal A. Proxmire, Nov. 10, 2020)
Ferndale, MI- The dot is almost done.
Fixing the parking problems in Downtown Ferndale has been discussed for more than a decade, but after years of planning, discussions about design, and the bumpy road that comes from doing construction in a pandemic, The Development on Troy – nicknamed “the dot” is expected to open in time for the holiday shopping season.
“I am happy to report that we have obtained a provisional certificate of occupancy for The dot, which means we have passed our building, fire, and trades inspections,” said City Manager Joe Gacioch. “All we require to open the deck is inspection approval for the two elevators by elevator inspectors from LARA’s elevator division.” LARA, a state agency regulating workplace and consumer safety, is expected to come within the next week or so to complete this final piece of the project.
The dot offers 377 parking spaces on four levels. This includes space for business permit parking. The building, which has a modern looking glass facade, also includes retail stores at the ground level. There are no gates at the entry and exit, but instead visitors will remember they space and use kiosks located at both ends of each floor, or they can pay through the ParkFerndale app.
Hourly parking rates for The dot are $.75 per hour. Paid parking is enforced Monday through Saturday, 11:00 a.m. through midnight. Parking is free on Sundays and recognized holidays.
In addition to the deck itself, the city invested in streetscaping on W. Troy Street to make it a flexible space that can be closed off for events and festivals. Unique features included decorative paving and adding more planters and trees.
The retail space – 16,000 square feet of it on the ground level along W. Troy Street – can be divided up depending on the needs of the tenants.
Versa Wanda LLC is the firm working with The City of Ferndale to develop this space. They are also working with the City to add another layer of office space as well as residential units to the development in the next phase.
Those interested in the retail rentals can contact Downtown Development Authority Director Lena Stevens at lena@downtownferndale.com
“The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of public spaces for people to safely interact with the businesses and spaces in our downtown. With the completion of Schiffer Park and The dot, I feel hopeful that we can accentuate the positives of these public space investments during the holiday season and for years to come. The streetscape looks fantastic in the evening, it is a nice place to take advantage of a warm fall evening,” Gacioch said.
The DDA’s Lena Stevens added “I believe The dot with fundamentally transform Troy Street, essentially giving many businesses on the south side of Nine Mile Road a second front entrance. As the multi-use components of the development start to come to life we will see more energy and potential for gatherings when it is safe. ”
For more information about the dot and other parking options visit www.parkferndale.com