I have been watching this issue on the Livonianeighbors.com forum site and I just had to comment. Below you will see my comments related to this horrible situation that the BOE is causing by the actions and the City Council is causing by the indifference.
Good evening everyone.I have been following this discussion with a certain amount of disbelief and shock. Shock in that the school board has shuttered a building of this size and age with no idea of what's its disposition should be. As an architect and planner, I can think of at least 5 different uses for that property that would have little or no financial impact to the city's budget and keep the property utilized by different city agencies. I can also think of another 5 different uses for the building which would have modest to moderate costs to the city which would result in the building developing a positive cash flow verses a negative or non-existent cash flow as it is right now. The fact that it is not only has been shuttered but basically abandoned by the BOE is absolutely disgraceful. The building is about 20 years old or so, it is a valuable asset, cost probably 15 million dollars to build and the BOE is letting it be demolished by neglect, just like what happens in Dearborn, Detroit and in some areas of Wayne, Redford and Westland. The fact that the school board is letting a property, a viable property, sit derelict, should not only infuriate the citizens but should make you tremble with indignation.
Now, on the topic of the continuing vandalism, respectfully, I have to say that the damage is being generated by people who are local. There is no way that someone from Dearborn, Canton, Plymouth or even Detroit just happens to be out driving around, and just happens to find there way to Hull and then just happens to start hanging out and decides to paint or break windows. the only people that would know not only where the property is and that its shuttered are people who are local. The reason that Old Rosedale didn't have similar problems is because of two main reasons: highly visible all day and night; a strong presence of community watch. I must respectfully submit that perhaps the reason Hull is having the people with vandals and the supposed drug dealing that has been referenced here is because it is not a highly visible location and that more community watching is required OR the demand should be made of LPD to step up patrols AND that the BOE get Parks and Rec's over to the site to manage the landscaping, and keep the site clean. If elected to the City Council the first thing I would do is meet with LPD about added patrols, then tell the school board to transfer funds from their operating budget to the DPW's operating budget to pay for grooming the landscape, clean up the parking lot, board up ALL the windows, added additional temporary lighting for security and finally, install water filled or concrete median barricades to prevent any one who is in a car from being up to no good around the building. If anyone wanted to vandalize, that would force them to be on foot or on bikes. I would also have the DPW provide paint and related materials to realize the idea suggested by LPS Reformer which is to paint the window board ups with murals. When I was working on the Detroit Institute of Art project our site fence was being vandalized all the time, but as soon as we allowed the different grammar schools to paint murals on our wooden fencing the vandalism stopped.
My final thought is that this property has many different possible uses, which if people are interested, I'd be happy to share them off forum. But unless the BOE starts acting like responsible stewards of its own properties, then what good are they really. The loss of Old Rosedale was a tremendous failure of the board, especially considering the adaptive reuse potential it had as a historic building. Now its happening again and this time to a practically brand new building like Hull. As a member of city council, I will use my experience and background to protect and secure city assets, not let them rot and wither away. Thank you for your time and attention.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Sunday, July 12, 2009
I would like to use this opportunity to tell you about myself and my background.
I believe that I am a very strong candidate for a seat on the Livonia City Council because at this point in my career, I have performed the role of a project engineer, construction estimator, project manager, project architect and construction administrator on a daily basis for my past employers. In these variety of roles, I have had unique opportunities to work one on one with developers, city officials, labor unions, skilled trades and business owners. While serving as a project manager for my second to last employer, I managed six major projects in the City of Detroit, Michigan, five of which were adaptive reuse, and of those five, four were historic buildings all of which fall into the category of historic rehabilitation. Those five adaptive reuse projects which can be found the following districts of Detroit: New Center, Brush Park, Corktown, Central Business district and the Theater district.
Not only does this experience show that I know what it takes to build, grow and in some cases, rebuild a community, but my bachelor’s degree in architecture has also afforded me the requisite knowledge and education to deal with historic structures, new construction, urban design, and city planning in the appropriate manor. This education combined with my “real world” experience over the last 11 years makes me ideal for a seat on the council. I believe these traits embody the spirit of what a council member should be and what the voters are looking for.
In addition to my experience, I have also become a US Green Building council LEED-AP professional as a means to assure efficient and environmentally friendly designs and construction methods which promote proper environmental stewardship. In addition to my educational background and my relevant work experience, I have dedicated a good portion of my career and free time to becoming a self educated expert on American architecture, with special attention to Michigan's architectural heritage and legacy. I am a traveling lecturer on architecture in Michigan and have been interviewed several times by both print and electronic media regarding architecture in Detroit as well as in Michigan.
I appreciate your interest in my candidacy as well as your support. I would love the opportunity to speak with you and win your vote. You can email me at electmcgrail@yahoo.com, I look forward to speaking with you.
I believe that I am a very strong candidate for a seat on the Livonia City Council because at this point in my career, I have performed the role of a project engineer, construction estimator, project manager, project architect and construction administrator on a daily basis for my past employers. In these variety of roles, I have had unique opportunities to work one on one with developers, city officials, labor unions, skilled trades and business owners. While serving as a project manager for my second to last employer, I managed six major projects in the City of Detroit, Michigan, five of which were adaptive reuse, and of those five, four were historic buildings all of which fall into the category of historic rehabilitation. Those five adaptive reuse projects which can be found the following districts of Detroit: New Center, Brush Park, Corktown, Central Business district and the Theater district.
Not only does this experience show that I know what it takes to build, grow and in some cases, rebuild a community, but my bachelor’s degree in architecture has also afforded me the requisite knowledge and education to deal with historic structures, new construction, urban design, and city planning in the appropriate manor. This education combined with my “real world” experience over the last 11 years makes me ideal for a seat on the council. I believe these traits embody the spirit of what a council member should be and what the voters are looking for.
In addition to my experience, I have also become a US Green Building council LEED-AP professional as a means to assure efficient and environmentally friendly designs and construction methods which promote proper environmental stewardship. In addition to my educational background and my relevant work experience, I have dedicated a good portion of my career and free time to becoming a self educated expert on American architecture, with special attention to Michigan's architectural heritage and legacy. I am a traveling lecturer on architecture in Michigan and have been interviewed several times by both print and electronic media regarding architecture in Detroit as well as in Michigan.
I appreciate your interest in my candidacy as well as your support. I would love the opportunity to speak with you and win your vote. You can email me at electmcgrail@yahoo.com, I look forward to speaking with you.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Official Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Lucas C. McGrail, Assoc AIA
Old Rosedale Gardens
9611 Cranston Ave
Livonia, MI 48150
Phone: 734-367-9028
electMcGrail@yahoo.com
Architect Offers Experience and Expertise for Livonia City Council and the Future of Livonia.
Livonia, MI – 16 June 2009 -- Before you cast your vote, please pause and consider a fresh and new perspective for the office of Livonia City Council, Lucas McGrail, Associate AIA. Whether you are a conservative or liberal voter, Mr. McGrail believes that a city can only grow and move forward by doing so together. McGrail believes that “The health, safety, welfare and well-being of city is not about being on the left or right, it's about doing right.”
No novice to the structure of city politics or to what is required to build and grow a community, Lucas McGrail has 11 years of professional experience in architecture, design, construction administration and project management. His experience in the architectural community and construction industry has allowed him to develop a vast array of tools and skills that will allow him to contribute to the community in a positive manner.
According to Lucas, "The question I get asked most often is, 'Why do I want to be on the city council?' In my career, it is my responsibility to work with all levels of city officials, professionals, individuals and citizen groups. It is also my responsibility to ensure that the best possible solutions are presented and implemented so that the interest of the project and the community are protected. My professional philosophy has always been that if architecture doesn't work for people, then it doesn't matter how many awards it wins, it doesn't work at all. Government should be seen the same way. If it doesn't work for people, then it doesn't work at all.” Mr. McGrail has also stated that “Government is supposed to be an instrument of good; a place where people pull together, especially in difficult times. In order for a city to grow and move forward, we have to pull together, otherwise we will pull apart.”
Mr. McGrail has served as the Construction Administration Leader for one of the 25 largest architecture firms in the world. He also has worked for the largest general contractor in the state of Michigan. He has been a traveling lecturer on American architecture and city planning, as well as a guest lecturer and jurist for Lawrence Technological University. He has been interviewed by several print and television media outlets, such as the LA Times, Hour Magazine, Travel and Leisure, and WUOM public radio as an expert on architecture, adaptive reuse, historical preservation, and city planning. Lucas McGrail has a bachelor’s degree of Architecture from the University of Detroit Mercy, is an associate member in good standing of the American Institute of Architects and an accredited professional with the US Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program.
Accessibility and openness is a unique and important aspect of Mr. McGrail's campaign. He is available at any time to discuss his views and his short and long-term goals for Livonia. He uses logic, honesty and reason to solve complex and difficult issues.
For information: email electMcGrail@yahoo.com
Contact: Lucas C. McGrail, Assoc AIA
Old Rosedale Gardens
9611 Cranston Ave
Livonia, MI 48150
Phone: 734-367-9028
electMcGrail@yahoo.com
Architect Offers Experience and Expertise for Livonia City Council and the Future of Livonia.
Livonia, MI – 16 June 2009 -- Before you cast your vote, please pause and consider a fresh and new perspective for the office of Livonia City Council, Lucas McGrail, Associate AIA. Whether you are a conservative or liberal voter, Mr. McGrail believes that a city can only grow and move forward by doing so together. McGrail believes that “The health, safety, welfare and well-being of city is not about being on the left or right, it's about doing right.”
No novice to the structure of city politics or to what is required to build and grow a community, Lucas McGrail has 11 years of professional experience in architecture, design, construction administration and project management. His experience in the architectural community and construction industry has allowed him to develop a vast array of tools and skills that will allow him to contribute to the community in a positive manner.
According to Lucas, "The question I get asked most often is, 'Why do I want to be on the city council?' In my career, it is my responsibility to work with all levels of city officials, professionals, individuals and citizen groups. It is also my responsibility to ensure that the best possible solutions are presented and implemented so that the interest of the project and the community are protected. My professional philosophy has always been that if architecture doesn't work for people, then it doesn't matter how many awards it wins, it doesn't work at all. Government should be seen the same way. If it doesn't work for people, then it doesn't work at all.” Mr. McGrail has also stated that “Government is supposed to be an instrument of good; a place where people pull together, especially in difficult times. In order for a city to grow and move forward, we have to pull together, otherwise we will pull apart.”
Mr. McGrail has served as the Construction Administration Leader for one of the 25 largest architecture firms in the world. He also has worked for the largest general contractor in the state of Michigan. He has been a traveling lecturer on American architecture and city planning, as well as a guest lecturer and jurist for Lawrence Technological University. He has been interviewed by several print and television media outlets, such as the LA Times, Hour Magazine, Travel and Leisure, and WUOM public radio as an expert on architecture, adaptive reuse, historical preservation, and city planning. Lucas McGrail has a bachelor’s degree of Architecture from the University of Detroit Mercy, is an associate member in good standing of the American Institute of Architects and an accredited professional with the US Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program.
Accessibility and openness is a unique and important aspect of Mr. McGrail's campaign. He is available at any time to discuss his views and his short and long-term goals for Livonia. He uses logic, honesty and reason to solve complex and difficult issues.
For information: email electMcGrail@yahoo.com
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