Ypsilanti Burning: Thompson Block Blues

Because I live less than a half block from the hollow, burned out shell that was once the Thompson Block, I went to the Ypsilanti City Council meeting on Tuesday. I wanted to tell Council that the inaction on the Thompson Block has affected me, my family, and my neighborhood. I wanted Council to know that there are no simple solutions to the problems this fire has caused, and that there are many competing interests that must be considered now that the building has been devastated by the fire. I am happy to report that Council was well prepared to respond to my concerns, as well as the concerns of many of my neighbors who also came to the meeting. Our elected officials are definitely aware of the myriad interests at issue in this unfortunate situation, and their comments indicated a deep understanding of the complexities at play. Unfortunately, I was surprised and disappointed with Mr. Beal, owner and developer of the Thompson Block. Although Mr. Beal comes across as a friendly enough guy, he appeared to believe that his interests were superior to the interests of those who live in the surrounding neighborhood. He seemed to think that he is entitled to do whatever he wants for however long he wants, regardless of the impact on his neighbors. Rather than exhibiting a can-do, cooperative attitude, he seemed more focused on blaming others and avoiding responsibility for the unfortunate situation he finds himself in. Mr. Beal openly admitted at the meeting that he was underinsured, and that his underinsurance has caused a massive problem for him (and by extension for the rest of us). Although I feel awful for his bad luck (and he is certainly entitled to our sympathy), he and he alone is responsible for the risk he took. By failing to purchase an appropriate amount of insurance, he has shouldered our community with the terrible consequences of this fire. He does not seem to realize that at night, he gets to leave the Thompson Block to go home. The rest of us leave our jobs and come home to the eyesore and safety hazard that was once the Thompson Block. The City's attorney, John Barr, gave an outstanding presentation that demonstrated why it is in the City's interests to hold Mr. Beal's feet to the fire. I think Mr. Barr said it best when he stated that the City of Ypsilanti will never be in a better position to bargain with Mr. Beal than it is now. Now is the time to act. If progress is to be made on the Thompson Block, then Council will have to set the timetable, enforce it, and keep the pressure up to make progress. If Mr. Beal doesn't have the money to continue with the project because he didn't secure a proper amount of insurance, then he may have to give up the building. During the meeting, I began to wonder if Mr. Beal is in over his head. As I watched the presentation, it became clear that Mr. Beal's plan for the Thompson Block is economically dependent on a liquor license he doesn't have, a zoning variance that he hasn't yet applied for, and a bar/music venue that has inadequate parking and that, if opened, is likely to ignite the ire of those who reside in the neighborhood in which it located. Under these circumstances, he may as well have no plan at all. I thank Council for holding Mr. Beal's feet to the fire. I urge Council to continue to do so.