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Politics & Government

Planning Board Postpones Decision on Proposed Walgreens

Walgreens representatives will re-present their plans for an upscale drugstore Jan. 4 at the Department of Public Services.

The Birmingham Planning Board is looking for more information on Walgreens' plans to move into the former Borders location, delaying the drugstore's bid to open at the now-empty Woodward Avenue location.

in October, city manager Bob Bruner said. The location has been vacant since Sept. 12, when Borders closed as part of the bookstore chain's bankruptcy and liquidations proceedings.

Walgreens representatives came before the Planning Board Wednesday night looking for final site plan approval and a special land use permit — needed so they can install a drive-thru window for the pharmacy. However, planning board members voted to postpone their decision until a special meeting to be held on Jan. 4.

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Proposed drugstore could include sushi bar, nail salon

According to Walgreens' design professional Larry Brozek, the 34300 Woodward Ave. location would not turn into your average, run-of-the-mill drugstore.

Instead, the building would house an upscale Walgreens with concrete floors and extra add-ons, including a possible sushi bar, nail salon and coffee bar. Walgreens' regional corporate office (covering Michigan and parts of Ohio and Indiana) would also relocate their offices to the building's second floor.

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Though the original footprint of the building wouldn't change, the plans also include adding a drive-thru window for the drugstore's pharmacy.

"The average is six prescriptions an hour, which is very low in intensity," said Mark Drane, an architect from Rogvoy Architects who insisted it would be unlikely for the drive-thru to become backed up.

The plans, however, do not include an entrance off Woodward, with Walgreens representatives noting it wouldn't be safe.

"We don't want to have entrances on Woodward; it's just not safe for this type of location," said Drane.

However, the design will include windows which will showcase visibility of the aisles, as well as a larger display window that will project a type of wellness image, such as a photo mural.

Board members express concern over lack of unified plan

During the meeting, several board members said they were confused with aspects of the plan, noting there were several unanswered questions about the drive-thru, lighting, the entrance and a potential redesign of Worth Street (located behind the Borders parking lot).

"There are 38 bold areas of concern," said planning board member Carroll DeWeese. "There's street issues and all kinds of issues. I'm uncomfortable voting until we get more information."

"There are still a bit too many targets," added member Scott Clein. "I'd really like to see one plan pulled together especially about what is going to happen to the drive-thru."

Dorothy Conrad, the only resident who stood to speak at the meeting, expressed outrage at the situation.

"I've been listening here tonight to all of the things that the owner of the property has been willing to do to enhance this and make it something better than their drugstore that's down Woodward (at 13 Mile)," said Conrad. "But nonetheless, I'm not quite sure how another pharmacy and drugstore fits into Birmingham, we already have several so I am terribly disappointed."

The Jan. 4 meeting will be heldat 7:30 p.m. at the .

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