Fenton Officials Wait for Michigan Brewing Company Progress

Deals have been done, plans have been nearly completed and city officials are ready, yet the old Fenton fire hall sits empty an idle.

After the Fenton Downtown Development Authority and Michigan Brewing Company , Michigan Brewing Company President Bobby Mason in the fall of 2011, looking for completion by July of 2012.

The construction project has moved a bit slower than anticipated, however.

Mason did not return phone messages Thursday, but Fenton assistant city manager and DDA director Michael Burns said he talked to Mason earlier this week and expects construction to begin this spring.

Burns said there have been rumors swirling that the project might not happen and that he has received many phone calls from concerned parties.

“I’ve asked him (Mason) multiple times that ‘We hear rumors. Is there anything you are not telling us? We’d like to know,’” Burns said.  “They’ve been forward with us and said they plan to go through with it. I have no reason to doubt them if they say they are going to do this.”

Burns said the building has been winterized, but Michigan Brewing Company officials plan to start work this spring after “issues get hammered out regarding construction.” Burns said officials have submitted building plans and are eligible to begin construction with building permits. The only thing Michigan Brewing Company officials must address with the Planning Commission with some exterior issues, including outdoor seating, Burns said.

Burns added that he still must meet with officials to clarify some details, but has been out of town and has been playing phone tag trying to put together a meeting. He said he expects Michigan Brewing Company officials to go public with their plans soon.

“The city isn’t holding this up. We’ve been trying to get a meeting, but haven’t been able to connect,” Burns said. “I’m eagerly hopeful things will get started soon.”

The deal included a timeline that construction was required to be completed by June 30. Burns said that’s likely something that will have to be pushed back.

“That is likely going to come into question and will have to be addressed by the DDA board,” Burns said.

Another issue that must be completed is the liquor license process.

Michigan Brewing Company has not been issued a liquor license, according to the Michigan Liquor Control Commission. Officials initially applied for the license March 31, 2011. The city approved the license before and . The DDA had to make in the contract at the LCC’s request in September.

While LCC spokeswoman Andrea Miller said Michigan Brewing Company officials paid license fees on Jan. 3, they contacted the LCC in November 2011 and said they weren’t ready to proceed with the license process.

“Now, we are waiting on them,” Miller said.

She said the next step in the process is for the Enforcement Division to complete an investigation. The Enforcement Division investigates applicants for new licenses, transfer ownership of existing licensed businesses, and a wide variety of other licensing investigations.

Michigan Brewing Company has had three LCC violations at its Webberville location since 2009.

• There was a failure to pay the required beer tax in April, May, June and July by the 15th of the month in 2009.
• Michigan Brewing Company officials failed to make required records available for inspection in June of 2009.
• Michigan Brewing Company accepted aid or assistance from another vendor in Oct. of 2010.

The microbrewery license approved by Fenton DDA allows Michigan Brewing Company to produce up to 30,000 gallons of beer annually, and the small wine maker license allows for the production of up to 50,000 gallons of wine. The small distiller license includes the manufacture of brandy, and means the company cannot exceed 60,000 gallons annually of all brands combined.

Burns has said the license is not the issue and that he expects things to start moving forward soon.

“They’ve assured us this is going to happen. I have no reason to doubt otherwise,” he said.