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 – 13 May 2011 -- 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 a regular scheduled lecturer at the Livonia Senior Center, Westland Friendship Center, several retirement communities & private organizations in Southeastern Michigan and, most recently, Schoolcraft College. He has been interviewed by several print and television media outlets, such as the LA Times, Hour Magazine, Metro Times, 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

Candidate McGrail at the Livonia Chamber of Commerce

http://www.livonia.org/candidate_videos/lucasmcgrail.asp

Please feel free to copy and paste this link in to your browser and hear the candidate speak about what he would do regarding the city budget and what he can offer as a member of the Livonia City Council.

Schoolcraft College welcomes Lucas McGrail

Architect, Lecturer and former Livonia City Council candidate Lucas McGrail was welcomed to Schoolcraft College on Friday, April 29th by a crowd of almost 200 people. They were present to attend his lecture on the history and evolution of the J.L. Hudson’s Department Store in downtown Detroit.

Guest were entertained by McGrail’s passion for history & architecture as were they also mesmerized by the amount of information that he had to share and the over 50 artifacts from his private collection.

Mr. McGrail’s hour long presentation was finished off by thunderous applause from the attendees and staff of the transition center. Shauna Dillard, representative for the Center, stated “this was a wonderful event, everyone had a great time and gave extremely positive feedback... it was wonderful.” Mr. McGrail hopes that this will be the start of a fantastic lecture series at Schoolcraft College and looks forward to his next engagement for the Transition Center.

Lucas McGrail has been all over Southeastern Michigan lecturing in Grosse Ile, Wyandotte, Allan Park, Detroit, Westland and especially his hometown of Livonia. His next scheduled lecture will be at the Westland Friendship Center, Friday, October 21st at 2pm. His topic will be the history and salvation of the Hotel Book Cadillac. Contact Barbara Marcum at 734.722.7628 to reserve a spot.

Mr. McGrail’s lecture schedule changes monthly so please check back to find out his latest dates.