Report: Church to Drop Objection to Michigan Brewing Company License

After , it appears the Fenton United Methodist Church will drop the opposition.

The Fenton Press reports that church officials met with Bill Tadrick, brewer/general manager for the Michigan Brewing Company fire hall project, Thursday and the two sides came to an agreement.

Tadrick told Fenton Patch that officials want to be a good neighbor.

Church officials could not be reached for this or any other previous stories on the issue.

The Fenton Press article stated that Michigan Brewing Company agreed to a couple of terms the church had, but Tadrick declined to comment on those terms. The Liquor Control Commission received the objection on May 18.

Downtown Development Authority director Michael Burns told Fenton Patch he was aware of the meeting, but said he has not heard anything official from the church.

“While the church has the legal right to object, I was confident this project was going to happen anyways,” Burns said. “I am still confident it’s going to happen.”

April 1, which stated officials would object to the license.

The church’s March 27 newsletter stated:

“Fire Hall Update...  A tremendous amount of effort has gone into our decision to object, as a congregation, to a liquor license application at the neighboring Fire hall by the Michigan Brewing Co."

The newsletter did not indicate exactly why the church, which is located across the street, from the brewery is proposing to protest its existence. But it did allude to a survey that helped officials come to its decision.

Tadrick also previously said the company would be sensitive to activities at the adjacent .

Michigan Brewing Company President Bobby Mason that construction would not start until a license was granted. He expected that process to take three or four months.

“I know they have been meeting with their architects,” Burns said. “They don’t want to move forward until the licenses issue is addressed. Then they will get going."

In March, Mason said he expected the to open in July 2012.