The 2010 Clinton Township Gratiot Cruise will be held from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday, August 1. Last year more than 100,000 classic car lovers and spectators made the cruise the biggest ever, and this year promises the same. This year's cruise will feature a variety of events and celebrations prior to the actual cruise day. Gratiot Avenue will feature a car show and open house on Saturday, July 31, at the newly finished Hampton Inn on Gratiot just north of 14 Mile Road. For a full listing of Clinton Township Gratiot Cruise events go to ctgratiotcruise.com Also see DDA Events.
Dive Training at Bruno's Dive Shop on Gratiot
Gratiot Avenue is home to Bruno's Dive Shop that offers all levels of dive training from snorkling to open water training. Training scuba divers for nearly half a century, Bruno's Dive Shop boasts a fully stocked retail floor, scuba equipment and tank servicing, an on-site heated training pool as well as a Coast Guard certified dive charter boat--the Great Lakes Diver. For more info go to brunosdiveshop.com
New eco bags from DDA in the works
Looking for an environmentally-friendly way to carry your groceries and other belongings. The Clinton Township Gratiot Downtown Development Authority will soon make these bags available at upcoming Gratiot corridor events. For more info contact DDA Liaison Joseph Peruzzi at 586-615-1106.
DDA presented information about proposed Gratiot 2011 Marathon
The Clinton Township Gratiot Downtown Development Authority recently heard presentations from the Gratiot Area Business Association regarding the proposed Marathon and other races scheduled for 2011. Though still in its early planning stages, the event is scheduled to be held over a two-day period and includes a full and half marathon, 5K race, wheelchair race, a race for kids and a number of other races. Further information will follow.
DDA works with DTE to install energy efficient lighting along Gratiot corridor
The Clinton Township Downtown Development Authority and DTE are working to engineer and construct an LED lighting system along Gratiot that will be one of the first and largest energy saving projects in the nation. More than 90 poles each equipped with a pair of LED light arrays will extend from 14 Mile Road north of Metro Parkway. The project to cost more than $800,000 is scheduled to be installed by the end of fall, 2010. The cost of the entire project will be borne by the DDA budget and grants from the federal government. Annual maintenance and energy costs will be paid for by DDA businesses through a special lighting assessment district.
Welcome to the home page of the Clinton Township Downtown Development Authority - a business district filled with history, tradition, and an exciting outlook for the future!
What a deal thanks to the Clinton Township Gratiot Downtown Development Authority
DDA and the Macomb Daily team up on Gatefold Ad campaign
Contact Mary Ellen Zander at the Macomb Daily (586-783-0339) if your business is interested in advertising on the front page of the newspaper for only $137.
The Clinton Township Gratiot Downtown Development Authority and the Macomb Daily now offer an incredible opportunity to tell customers about your business and product offerings. Every month for the next year the Macomb Daily will offer DDA advertisers up to a two inch deep ad on the front page "gatefold" of the Macomb Daily for less than $137.
The "gatefold" is a new advertising method used by the Macomb Daily since June of 2009 and was adopted with small businesses in mind."It can be a very effective way for small businesses to get their name out on our front page at a great price," says Macomb Daily Advertising Manager Roger Hages. The cost can't be beat in any other advertising channel across the metropolitan area.
A recent survey conducted by the DDA revealed that almost 40% of the businesses on Gratiot are independently owned. The DDA's objective is to provide this high visibility marketing opportunity to smaller businesses. The newspaper covers all of Macomb County, and the majority of its readers are 35-65 years old with a median household income of more than $75,000. For more information about this unique advertising opportunity--it probably represents the best deal in town--contact advertising executive Mary Ellen Zander at the Macomb Daily at 586-783-0339 or Joseph Peruzzi, DDA Liaison, at 586-723-8045.
Clinton Township McDonald's owners announce grand re-opening of restaurant
Kevin and Kathy Setter, owners of the newest McDonald's restaurant in southeast Michigan, have re-opened their restaurant at the former Parkway site on Gratiot north of Metropolitan Parkway. The new restaurant is located at 1617 S. Gratiot in Clinton Township and replaces a location that was previously just south of the new store. The new McDonald's features hi-top seating, bistro-style tables, a flat-screen television, wi-fi internet access and a children's play area. A dual-sided drive-through offers access to both northbound and southbound Gratiot.
Big Lots comes to Regional Shopping Center
A new Big Lots opened its doors in the Regional Shopping Center at 15 Mile Road and Gratiot. The new 24,000 sq. ft. facility sells a variety of close-out, new merchandise from around the country. The store has been remodeled and modernized. The selection of merchandise changes weekly, so stop by and shop often.
Hampton Inn now open at 14 Mile/Gratiot
The Hampton Inn on Gratiot just north of 14 Mile Road is now open for business. The three-story hotel behind Aldi's between 14 Mile Road and Quinn offers 93 guest rooms, a pool and fitness area, and meeting conference room. Guests receive a free continental breakfast with their rooms.
Pipers Alley opens for business
The Charter Township of Clinton's Gratiot Downtown Authority welcomes Pipers Alley as one of the newest business to open its door on Gratiot. Located at 34802 Gratiot just south of 15 Mile Road, Pipers Alley is a full service restaurant and martini bar that caters to the sports bar as well as formal dining crowd.
Tommy Vasilos is the owner of the new restaurant next to Bruno's Dive Shop. The appearance of the two businesses compliment the Gratiot corridor and are prime examples of a new, fresh look for the M-3.
Vasilos has been active in the community for more than 22 years as co-owner of Roseanne's Kitchen on 15 Mile Road just west of Gratiot. He also operates the cafeteria at the Baker College campus on 15 Mile Road.
Pipers Alley succeeds Brewers Tavern that closed its doors more than four years ago. The new restaurant features cherry wood paneling on the walls and the bar as well as granite countertops surrounding the bar area. Visitors can relax in front of any of the six large screen LCD panels found throughout the facility.
The "upper scale pub" features an eclectic menu ranging from mozzarella sticks to bruschetta de pomodori to New York strip steaks, and of course, burgers and fries. The pub also offers a variety of martinis such as the Cucumber Gimlet, Toasted Almond and Peartini. A stop at the Pipers Alley is well worth it.
Tiger Chung’s Tae Kwon Do Joins Gratiot Businesses
The Li'l Tigers roar for the camera
Special by Helena Rose
Clinton Township’s DDA welcomes Tiger Chung’s Tae Kwon Do to the Gratiot neighborhood
Owner and instructor Thornton Kelly began teaching martial arts after meeting Grandmaster Ho Yung (Tiger) Chung more than 38 years ago. Chung began training in Tae Kwon Do in 1952. He founded the school in Korea in 1970 and moved to Detroit the following year. After receiving guidance and instruction from Chung, Kelly began teaching free Tae Kwon Do classes at a local church, which led to other teaching opportunities and tournaments.
In addition to Tae Kwon Do, classes in Aikido and Hap Ki Do are offered. The training rewards student with more than the physical benefits of stress release and cardiovascular health. The discipline achieved can be transferred to school or work. Kelly said people of all ages participate and are welcome and said he can remember a student who joined at the age of 73. A “Lil’ Tigers” class is offered for preschool-aged children and teaches non-violent resolution as well as to be respectful of teachers and their parents. Kelly said that all of the classes offered include conflict resolution methods as part of the instruction.
The methods taught do not emphasize a competitive spirit in the conventional sense, rather the focus is on self-improvement and self-confidence.
“If someone says ‘I can’t’ I make them do pushups. That shouldn’t be a part of your vocabulary,” Kelly said.
Two to three classes of varying degrees of skill are offered every night during the week and Thornton Kelly will be there enthusiastically offering his knowledge and ability. “It’s a way of life, really, and it gets better all the time,” he said.
Tiger Chung poses with Thornton Kelly before a class
Gratiot spells big sales for long-time automotive dealers
Three of the world's top sales leaders in domestic car and truck sales are right here on Gratiot. Jim Causly Pontiac-GMC, Mike Dorian Ford, and Moran Chevrolet are all outstanding representatives of their respective automotive lines, consistently scoring as a top 10 dealership for the past decade.
New Ford Fusion Hybrid reports 41 miles to a gallon in the city.
"Our community is an automotive community, and it shows in how our customers have rewarded dealers in the area," says Vice President Carolyn Dorian. "Our sales rely on repeat business and word-of-mouth recommendations to friends and family members.
Rob Causley recently oversaw the reconstruction of his dealership and ended the sales year as the number one Pontiac-GMC dealer in the nation. Pat Moran Chevrolet was ranked number eight in the country. Pat Moran looks forward to customers seeing the many new models GM plans to introduce in the coming months, including the electric Volt that will debut in 2010.
New irrigation rules in effect May 15th
Clinton Township has adopted new water irrigation rules in order to restrain water and sewer rate increases from the City of Detroit. Effective May 15 through October 15 business and residential water sprinkling systems using automatic timers may not be used between the hours of 5 a.m. and 11 p.m. EST. Systems using hoses and manual watering methods may not be used between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m. Odd addresses may irrigate on odd days of the month; even addresses on even days of the month. For more info call 286-9300.
Gratiot attracting the eye of new local businesses and national franchises
When DDA member Pete Thomas decided he wanted to expand his Cash Exchange business, he thought long and hard about moving to another part of the township or, maybe, even outside of the community. After examining his options, Thomas purchased a recently vacated 10,000 sq. ft. property on Gratiot north of 15 Mile Road that more than doubles his office space at an affordable price.
Thomas even received some important support from the township when the Board of Trustees voted to reduce the amount of parking spaces needed for the larger business since additional parking was non-existent in the immediate area.
It was a good example of business and government working together to help promote our community's growth, Thomas said. "After looking elsewhere, I wanted to stay on Gratiot because of the high traffic count, the fact that my customer base is in the area, and I am confident that more good things are about to happen here," Thomas added. So confident in the area is Thomas that he also purchased the adjacent shopping plaza to his new building.
Another example of growth is the construction of a new Hampton Inn. The new 93-room facility will go behind the Aldi food market between 14 Mile and Quinn. The 3-story hotel represents a multi-million dollar investment that is expected to spur other growth in the area. Others new to the corridor include Big Lots, Pipers Alley, a new McDonald's and a soon to come O'Reilly's Automotive Parts.
Get set for the next Gratiot Avenue Cleanup scheduled for Saturday, July 17. Volunteers for the event are asked to meet at 9 a.m. on Saturday in front of the Farmers Market on Gratiot just north of Metropolitan Parkway. For those in high school, this is a great way to earn community credits toward your graduation. For additional information contact Donna Sassin, chairperson of the Gratiot DDA, at 751-3783.
Display your message electronically
Do you have a community message or bit of news about your business that you would like to see displayed electronically on the DDA's electronic sign at 14 Mile Road and Gratiot. Contact DDA Liaison Joseph Peruzzi at 586-723-8045 and he will make sure you receive free of charge some electronically displayed space.
Please Report property violations on Gratiot
Clinton Township and the DDA have specific rules regarding sign usage and property maintenance along Gratiot Avenue. Unauthorized signs, unsightly properties, trash and other violations should be reported when you see them. If you are concerned about the condition of any property along the Gratiot corridor, please contact Planning and Community Development Director Carlo Santia at 723-8083 or on the web by writing to c.santia@clintontownship-mi.gov.
Macomb Daily photo by Dave Posavetz
Gratiot Median Landscaping Completed
The DDA has completed nearly $170,000 in landscaping along the Gratiot Avenue corridor from 14 Mile Road to north of Metropolitan Parkway. The landscaping comprised primarily of native habitat species was planted at the 14 Mile Road, 15 Mile Road, Metropolitan Parkway interesection, as well as at half mile roads and the Quinn Road turnaround. Additional work north of Metro Parkway was also be included in the project.
United Landscaping of Washington Township was selected to perform the work. It used primarily native plants that are found in Michigan because of their ability to easily adapt to soil conditions. They are also drought tolerant and relatively maintenance free.
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