Design, Sign Plans for New Dollar General OK’d

with the new tenant, but Dollar General’s design plans were approved for the Detroit Avenue building that .

The city’s architectural board of review gave the go-ahead for the proposal after requesting a few changes at last month’s meeting.

William Trahan, the building contractor for Dollar General, said the among the upgrades are a new façade, new front and rear doors, a new parking lot, tuck pointing and new lighting.

“I am going to present two pictures, and you get to select A or B,” he told the board.

Board chairman Michael Molinski responded “what if I like C?”

The board ultimately agreed on a plan — with conditional approval on exterior issues such as paneling and materials.

The proposal for the store’s sign — also a point of contention — was also approved. The sign on Detroit Avenue will be white (not yellow like typical Dollar General stores), and the sign at the rear will not be illuminated.

Ian Andrews, the executive director of , said among his economic development organization’s functions is to “revitalize the downtown-shopping district.”

He said he’s “pleased to hear” that the building will get a makeover, but said he was “unimpressed” with parts of the plan. 

“This isn’t the kind of development (we’d like to see downtown), but we understand that that point is moot,” said Andrews. “This is a private transaction.”

Tom Bullock, the Ward 2 city councilman, said after the meeting that the board’s decision was “mystifying.”

“I don’t see too many changes from what they originally proposed,” he said. “I, like many residents, have been heartened by the development downtown … Our job as city leaders is to protect the investments that are already in place.”

“I have concerns with this plan. We’re putting ourselves on a footing where we’re not conforming to the highest standards.”

Bruce Schultz, who recently bought the plaza, attended the meeting and noted that he plans to “make several improvements” to the property.

“We’re in this for the long-term investment,” he said.

“We’re excited about coming to Lakewood,” he added following the meeting. “We’re hopeful that Lakewood is excited to have us. We’re excited to have a tenant like Dollar General. They’re a great tenant and a great retailer.”