Visions For Vacancy: What Should Take the Place of Borders Books?

Let's call this a modern spin on community planning—Patch's version of a digital drawing board where all ideas are on the table.

Each week we'll present a new vacant building and ask you to tell us what you think would be the best use. Forget what zone it's in, ignore setback regulations, dump lot coverage rules and all the other zoning jargon that puts most people to sleep. If you had your way, what would you like to see there?  What would be the best use for the community? Or, if you think you have an inside tip, tell us.

We launch this new weekly series by featuring the now vacant building at 45290 Utica Park Blvd, Utica, MI 48315, the former home of Borders Book Store.

this summer, leaving the massive stand-alone building empty—but not for long.

In the fall, , a seasonal retail store, opened its Utica location. The store moved out by November.

Utica City Clerk Cathy McGrail told Patch there has recently been a flurry of inquiries surrounding the former Borders Book Store.

"There has been a lot of activity going on—inquiries such as taxes, water bills—all information you would get before submitting a proposal," said McGrail.

However, McGrail added people are not obligated to tell the city what their plans are until a proposal is submitted.

"We just have to sit back and wait until they bring us something," she said.

Cynthia Kratchman, a broker with Landmark Commercial Real Estate Services in Farmington Hills, told the Free Press in an article about retail vacancies being down in Michigan, that she expects the former Borders Book Stores to be snapped up quickly because most are in prime locations.

McGrail said the former Borders Books Store in Utica is in a mixed use zoning location, and can really be used for many things. 

"The problem we're seeing is it’s such a large piece that they might parcel it off," she said.

So, if you had a little money to spare and a big imagination, what would you do with the property? What do you think the community could use in place of the empty retail building?