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CURTIS OSTRANDER	DUAINE HARDING
ELEANOR TODD	ELMER "BUD" HAHN
GERVASE KILEY	MARIAN SUTTON
ORLO KIRKUM	SLAVA KOKOTOVICH
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Renovations breathe life
into alleyway project

by CHRIS GRAY
Observer Staff Writer

      A halted alleyway beautification project has been given a second chance by a local business.
       Following the Nov. 4 meeting of the Romeo Downtown Development Authority (DDA), Younger's Irish Tavern gained support from the DDA board to use plans similar to the DDA's alleyway project to renovate its restaurant.
       The restaurant must now approach the Village Planning Commission with the site plans.
       In May, then later in October, the DDA's plans were approved to renovate an alleyway in the southwest quadrant. The plans call for the alley, located behind businesses like Younger's and Thee Office Pub and Cookery, to be made more pedestrian-friendly with outdoor seating and improved concrete.
       The project, however, was tabled last month due to the owners of Thee Office Pub deciding they didn't wish to go forward with the plan.
       At the DDA's most recent meeting, though, Younger's presented site plans that called for making improvements to the restaurant's west entrance that coincide with the original plans.
       Co-owner Glenn Wilhem said the plan calls for moving the staircase that leads to the second floor, removing part of the handicap ramp and adding a patio that would seat between 70 to 80 people. He indicated these improvements could be the catalyst to get the entire project moving.
       "The DDA could use us starting as a stepping stone to get something done down there," he said.
       A problem, though, stems from whether the DDA will to continue with its alley project. The DDA's project utilizes the village-owned alleyway, which extends five feet from the restaurants. If the original plans go through, Younger's would have installed fencing and lighting that only goes to its property line and wouldn't coincide with the plan.
       Wilhelm said he would like to extend into the alleyway, but that would require zoning approvals and leasing agreements with the village.
       "If going into the alley is something the DDA or the Planning Commission is not in favor of then we're going to proceed right now with doing it on our property," he said.
       Chairperson Bob Hart said he wasn't sure where the DDA would go down the road with its plans, and modifications may need to occur with the property if the plan goes forward.
       "We are paying for it, and we have full rights<there is language in the contract for the lease of that property<that when it comes time that we want to execute it that this really isn't going to be a stumbling block or issue," he said.
       Village President Paul Reiz, the Village Council's DDA liaison, said he would like to see this project treated like part of the DDA's project.
       "Let's go with what we have," he said.
       Both parties agreed that if the DDA wanted to get involved, such as prepping the site for future improvements like drainage, that funding issues should be worked out.
       "If the engineers are saying it makes dollars more than sense and everything is put in like that drainage, if we were to try and do it at that point we would incur the cost," said Hart.
       A related motion to terminate the contract with Wing Construction was postponed as the alleyway project may require more work due to Younger's plans.
       "They have tabled (the alleyway project), and if the DDA decides they want to terminate the contract we have procedures to do that," said DDA Coordinator Janine Saputo.
       A total of $34,180 will have been spent on the alleyway project, which includes the dumpster corral construction and engineering costs for the corral and the alleyway. The number could go up depending on what happens with Younger's plans.