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Charles Reinhart (left), Dennis Odine and Bill Kinley are partners in The Oaks, Saline's new neighborhood shopping center on East Michigan Avenue. A gym and salon are to be the first businesses to open later this summer at the shopping center.
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Three successful developers are behind Saline's newest shopping center, called The Oaks, on East Michigan Avenue, where a gym and salon are slated to open later this summer.
Dennis Odine, Bill Kinley and Charles Reinhart are three powerhouses in real estate sales, commercial development and property marketing, and together are building the 53,000-square-foot shopping center they hope to fill with tenants to complement what Saline already offers.
Mod Squad Salon, owned by Saline stylist Renee Ludwig, was the first to commit to the new development, which can be accessed at the stoplight east of Wendy's restaurant across from the Automotive Components Holdings plant on the south side of East Michigan Avenue.
Ludwig said she was impressed with the architecture for The Oaks, the wide sidewalks planned and overall feel of the development.
"It's a very attractive design, nicely set back from the road and surrounded by natural features," she said. "I think my customers will also appreciate the plentiful and convenient parking."
Powerhouse Gym, a Michigan-based company with more than 300 locations in 37 states will open a 10,000-square-foot fitness facility at the center of the complex.
The developers also are negotiating with a family restaurant and are courting a specialty food store to help anchor the center.
"We hope to find a group of retailers and services that will complement one another and offer conveniences to the sophisticated shoppers in the area," Dennis Odine, a commercial Realtor and a partner in The Oaks said, adding that certain businesses work better in a development like The Oaks than in a downtown district. "Some services need the easy in, easy out accessibility."
Reinhart agrees.
"These businesses will complement what's going on downtown Saline and these types of businesses meet the needs of destination shoppers," he said.
Developers indicated a hardware store, phone retailer, dry cleaner and mail service shop might be considered.
In marketing the eight-acre complex, Kinley said he can present Saline as a "bright spot" in Southeast Michigan, where commercial growth is positive and supported by attractive demographics. While the number of "rooftops" --marketing jargon for the number of households -- is fewer in the city of Saline, his job is to explain how many other townships will feed into the economy for The Oaks.
"This is an excellent opportunity for a business to enjoy a high-traffic location in a community that is very welcoming and supportive to new merchants," said Kinley whose company, Phoenix Contractors, is handling construction of the project.
Kinley brought to the project architect Gary Cooper of Ann Arbor. He previously worked on the Murphy Crossing renovation downtown Saline.
"He brings a high level of refinement," Kinley said.
Before ground was broken last year, the partners say they spent more than $400,000 alone on environmental protection measures, including an elaborate network of underground ducts built for detention waters.
Continuing concern was taken by restoring the indigenous plantings at the property's edge as suggested, but not required by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, and Kinley said they intend to take all necessary precautions to protect and honor surrounding wetlands on site.
Staff Writer Sue G. Collins can be reached at 429-7380 or scollins@heritage.com.
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