Auburn Hills

Residential/commercial development marks another investment in the expansion and revitalization of city’s downtown

Media contacts: Barbara Fornasiero, EAFocus Communications, cell: 586.817.8414, barbara@eafocus.com; Stephanie Carroll, City of Auburn Hills, 248.364.6802, scarroll@auburnhills.org

Auburn Hills, Mich.—Feb. 4, 2014— The city of Auburn Hills announced today that the Auburn Hills City Council approved a plan by Burton-Katzman, LLC to develop 1.07 acres of vacant property for a mixed use development at the southwest corner of Auburn and Squirrel Roads in the city’s downtown. The project represents an estimated $10 million investment in Auburn Hills by Burton-Katzman.

The Planned Unit Development (PUD) project, called Rivers Edge of Auburn Hills, is slated to begin in summer 2014 and be complete by the end of summer 2015. It consists of a four-story building with approximately 9,300 square feet of commercial space on the ground floor and 31, one and two-bedroom apartment and loft units on the second, third and fourth floors. Approximately 50 parking spaces are planned to serve apartment residents, while the commercial space will be served by 11 on-site parking spaces in addition to the existing Auburn Hills downtown public parking system.

“We are pleased that Burton-Katzman is bringing this type of popular mixed use/urban loft project to downtown Auburn Hills,” said Steve Cohen, director of community development for Auburn Hills. “Continued investment in the city is sparking strong interest from developers, prospective tenants and retailers.”

Charles M. DiMaggi0 is senior vice president of project development for Burton-Katzman.

“Burton-Katzman has been involved in the development of numerous commercial buildings in Auburn Hills and we look forward to making a new investment to serve the city’s downtown business and residential community.”

Rivers Edge of Auburn Hills is one of several significant developments in or around the downtown area to be announced in recent months. In October 2013, the city celebrated the grand opening of four new or redeveloped structures:

• The 1,546 square foot DEN (Downtown Education Nook); formally a log cabin, the DEN provides students and the community a quiet and casual study space
• The University Center – a partnership between the Auburn Hills TIFA (Tax Increment Finance Authority), Avondale School District and the following Auburn Hills based colleges and universities: Oakland University, Oakland Community College, Baker College and Thomas M. Cooley Law School; with a combined 7,200 square feet, it hosts college level classes and classes for the Avondale Virtual Academy.
• Auburn Square apartments and retail – 97 apartment units aimed at the graduate student housing market and 5,800 square feet of retail space at street level to bring visitors and additional energy downtown.
• Parking structure – a 233 space structure funded and operated by the Auburn Hills TIFA and built with the long-term growth of the downtown in mind while still meeting the immediate needs of the apartments and retail space.

In September 2013, Auburn Hills announced The Moceri Companies will develop 21.51 acres of land west of Adams Road and north of the Clinton River Trail. Called The Parkways, the multi-generational project will consist of 76 townhouse units, 72 stacked flat units and a three-story 160 unit congregate senior care complex situated along a new public boulevard that will lead to Auburn Road in the downtown area. In addition to the residential units, more than two acres of open park space will also be created within The Parkways.

“This is an exciting time to be in Auburn Hills,” said City Manager, Pete Auger. “The city’s long-range planning for development of the downtown area is coming to fruition with the support of investments by Burton-Katzman, The Moceri Companies and other trusted Michigan-based developers.”

New Auburn Hills Mayor and long-time councilman Kevin McDaniel added that public/private partnerships continue to propel Auburn Hills.

“Auburn Hills worked diligently through the recession years to prepare for the next growth cycle,” said McDaniel. “Now we’ve arrived at a time of significant action in the city, affirming the good that can happen when elected officials and city staff work together and with external partners to build relationships.”

About Burton-Katzman, LLC
Burton-Katzman, LLC and its predecessor companies and affiliates have been in the building and development business for more than 100 years. The foundation of Burton-Katzman is built upon the traditions of integrity, quality and value. With the company now in its third generation, the Burton and Katzman families have influenced building trends in southeast Michigan, Ohio, Florida, the Carolinas and California since the early 1900s. Today, active principals Peter Burton and Robert Katzman combine their expertise to orchestrate a wide variety of residential, retail, office and industrial developments. With innovation, experience and financial strength, Burton-Katzman is setting the pace in real estate development for the next generation. Learn more at www.burton-katzman.com.

About Auburn Hills
Celebrating 31 years as a city in 2014, Auburn Hills is home to 21,000 residents and also serves as Michigan’s global business address, with 40 international corporations from 32 countries housed here. Auburn Hills’ residents enjoy the amenities of city and suburban living with parks, a revitalized downtown district and a welcoming city complex with a library and community center. Additionally, the city has five colleges and universities, the award winning Palace of Auburn Hills entertainment complex and Great Lakes Crossing Outlets, one of the state’s largest destination shopping centers, providing a variety of cultural, social and educational opportunities to residents, workers and visitors. Learn more at www.auburnhills.org.

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