Roger Brown - WKTV Journal

Take one last good look at 28 Street and Michael Avenue because it could change in a matter of weeks.

Last night, the Wyoming City Council approved the last piece in the 28 West Place project as it accepted a purchase agreement with Loeks Theatres for around $278,000. The agreement was the final piece for the city to construct a new road from the current Wyoming Mall entrance off Michael Avenue to 28th Street across from Hook Avenue where Applebee’s is located.

Adopted in 2013, the 28 West Place is a reimagining of the south side of 28th Street between Clyde Park and Burlingame avenues into a mixed-use town center utilizing form-based code. A form-based code provides for flexibility to developers, according to Wyoming Deputy City Manager Heidi Isakson who has been working on the 28 West Place project.

The 28 West sign located in front of the former Studio 28 property. Construction for the 28 West project will actually start just east on the Wyoming Mall property.

A key element to the 28 West concept is the construction of a curving slip street which would become the center’s new “main street.” The street is proposed to run from the south side of 28th Street across from Hook Avenue to Jenkins Avenue, which runs next to the former Klingman/Rogers Department Store building. Before the city could move forward, it had to have the property owners on board with the project. Earlier this year, owners of the Wyoming Mall approached the city with some redesign plans for its facility and city officials knew now was the time to move forward with the west portion of the street.

“It has been a nail biter,” Isakson said as city staff pulled together the several elements that needed to be coordinated for the project. This included working with Wyoming Mall officials and Loek Theatre representatives to acquire the necessary right-of-ways.

“We believe that the city investment of public utilities and improving public access combined with the private investment will yield greater results,” said City of Wyoming Assistant City Manager Heidi Isakson.

In June, the Wyoming City Council accepted a $1.6 million agreement with Wyoming Mall, LLC. Total cost to the city will be about $1.2 million for the relocation of city services and construction of the road. At its Aug. 1 meeting, the council awarded the construction of 28 West Place street and utility improvements to Kentwood Excavating which had the lowest bid of $1.74 million. The bid, which was one of five, came in about 11.34 percent below the engineer’s estimate. The total cost for the project, which includes right-of-way acquisition, is estimated at $2.8 million.

Isakson said Loeks Theater officials plan to have the agreement signed by Wednesday with plans for construction starting soon. Wyoming Mall officials already have begun demolition work and are waiting for the city to being moving utilities, she said.

Isakson said she has been in touch with the owners of Rogers Plaza about the project but at this time there are no plans to move forward with the west portion of the new street.

Roger Brown and Mary Sue Wilkinson make up the guitar duo Drive South.

Back by popular demand, Drive South will be making their second appearance at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts, 40 Culver St., for the Summer in the Studio concert series. The duo will perform Aug. 22 at 7 p.m. in the Performance Studio. Tickets are $15 and are available online at sc4a.org or by phone at 269-857-2399.

Mary Sue Wilkinson and Roger Brown, both seasoned artists, make up Drive South. The two pair Brown’s accomplished finger style guitar playing and Wilkinson’s rock solid rhythm guitar playing with tight vocal duets and harmonies.

“Something very special happens when Roger and Mary Sue sing together. When you add great songwriting and finger style guitar playing to great vocals you’ve got Drive South,” said David Holt, four-time Grammy Winner, TV and Radio Host, Doc Watson’s Music Partner.

The duo also performs as the core for the country band The Wilenes, who feature vocal duets perfectly matched with Brown’s finger style guitar and Wilkinson’s solid rhythm guitar.

“These two are so great together, their energy and charisma make the show one of a kind,” said Saugatuck Center for the Arts Executive Director Kristen Armstrong. “We are so happy they can come back and perform once again.”

Drive South is the last performance in the Summer in the Studio concert series at the SCA. The series was sponsored by Carol & Greg Josefowicz.