Considering he’s proposing to demolish the historic “pink hotel” building in downtown Brighton to make way for a new structure, Stan Schafer wasn’t greeted with any cheers at the first public review of his proposal.

Then again, he met no jeers, either, at the Brighton Planning Commission meeting Monday as he tested the waters with his project, which has been a sore subject with people who are worried about the city losing a piece of its past.

Several audience, however, members made it clear where they stood on the issue.

“When we preserve buildings of the past, we connect ourselves to the people who came before,” said Brighton resident Lee Anzicek, who was joined by his wife, Susan. He said these buildings serve as a link between generations.

While some commissioners said they would like to see the historic building preserved, others said they recognized the economic benefits a new structure would bring. After some discussion, the commission tabled the proposal until it had an opportunity to discuss height restrictions, which currently would not permit his proposed 52-foot-tall building in the downtown.

Schafer, owner of Schafer Construction Inc. in Brighton, made it clear he didn’t like the idea of tearing down the “pink hotel.”

“I’m sure no one is excited about tearing down this historic building,” Schafer said. “I’m not thrilled being here, proposing this.”

Schafer told commissioners that he looked at several options to preserve the 1873 structure, but none ended up being economically feasible. He said it would take a tremendous amount of money for someone to renovate the building.

The commission inquired whether the historic building could be moved, but Brighton architect Piet Lindhout said it wasn’t possible. He said the brick walls rest on the fieldstone base, and the floor joists are notched into the walls. Lindhout said there’s “nowhere to pick it up.”

Although Schafer asked the commission if he should continue pursuing this project, commissioners said they weren’t able to answer him.

Commissioner Claudia Roblee said this was a tough issue, weighing the pros and cons of tearing down a historic structure such as the “pink hotel.” She pointed out that Brighton wasn’t like Howell, which has numerous historic buildings in the downtown, and she called Brighton’s development more of a “mishmash.”

The three-story brick building, which gained the nickname “pink hotel” because it was once covered with pink siding, was built in 1873 and originally bustled with guests from the railroad stop.

The hotel is one of four sites in downtown Brighton on the Michigan Register of Historic Sites — the others being the Old Town Hall, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and the Old Village Cemetery. The “pink hotel” is also listed on the national registry of historic sites.

Roblee said she wouldn’t consider touching the three other sites, but her feelings weren’t so strong on the “pink hotel.”

“I don’t see the ‘pink hotel,’ in its current form, as serving this community,” Roblee said.

The building’s second and third floors are used as a rooming house, and the first floor has offices. Roblee said Schafer’s new building would be a good development for the downtown area.

“That particular property can be put to a better use,” Roblee said.

Schafer said his proposed four-story brick-and-glass building would become a a downtown “landmark.” It would feature retail shops on the first floor, offices on the second floor, and condos on the third and fourth floors. The first floor would also have enclosed parking for condo residents.

Schafer is also proposing to lease property west of the railroad tracks as parking for the offices.

Despite its historic significance, officials said there’s nothing stopping from someone purchasing the building and tearing it down. To do so, however, the owner would need to apply for a demolition permit from the city’s Building Department.

The commission did not set a new date for when the proposal would return for further review.

Source: www.dailypressandargus.com

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