Old Fenton Fire Hall Opening Date Pushed Back

Fenton residents have waited a long time for the old Fenton Fire Hall to be morphed into a restaurant and have the doors opened.

Now, they might have to wait just a bit longer.

With changes in the construction and expansions planned for the building, Clarkston Union owner Curt Catallo asked the Fenton Downtown Development Authority (DDA) to push back the opening date from April 30, 2013 to June 30, 2013. Catallo said it might not be possible to begin the foundations and outdoor work for the project until the season changes.

The DDA approved the lease amendment at its meeting Tuesday.

Catallo said the restaurant might be open before June 30.

The group also accepted a quit claim deed for two parcels of city property that are needed for construction of the extensions of the old Fenton fire hall.

On the east side of the building, Union Joints officials would like to add an extension to the building to add a stairway, elevator, restrooms and storage. A small portion of the property is owned by the city. On the west side of the building, Union Joints officials want to add a walk-in cooler on property that is owned by the city. DDA officials approved a proposal that the city pass ownership of the small parcels of land to the DDA, which in turn would amend the lease with the Clarkon Union owners to include the land.

Catallo said the expansion would have minimal impact on the existing structure.

"It's a really low impact rehab," Catallo said. "We would turn an existing window into a door and that would be the only change to the building. Everything else would be as built."

Both Catallo and DDA Chairman said the buzz about the restaurant has been growing.

"You are slowly creating a destination spot," Schmidt said. "We are getting excited now.

"Not a day goes by without someone talking to us about the Fenton project," Catallo said. "You'll see sawdust and trucks soon."

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