Resident 'Disheartened' by Church's Objections to Michigan Brewing Co.

I was disheartened to read in the latest church newsletter that the leaders of the plan to object to a liquor license for a new restaurant at the Fenton firehall.  Fenton's downtown has languished for years and it's unfortunate that the church has chosen to stand in the way of this very positive development. The addition of Michigan Brewing Co.'s (MBC) restaurant at the Fenton firehall, will have many beneficial effects for the . Here are just a few of the positive effects of redeveloping the firehall.

1. A building which sat vacant and unused for years in the heart of our downtown will be remodeled and redeveloped into a restaurant by a company with a proven track record of success.

2. Like the French Laundry, the MBC restaurant and pub will serve as a "magnet" or "destination" business for the city, drawing customers from outside the city of Fenton, customers who will spend their money not only at the MBC restaurant but also at surrounding Fenton businesses.

3. Between 50 and 75 permanent, full and part time jobs will be created in the city of Fenton at a time of high unemployment for the state and the city.

4. A building which is now producing no tax revenue for the city will be transforms into tax-generating property. The additional taxes will help our city's balance sheet in very trying times.

5. This commercial property will produce new tax revenue for the Fenton Area Public Schools at a time when our schools face deep cuts in funding from the state.

6. Approximately 1.4 million dollars will be spent for reconstruction in downtown Fenton.

7. The popularity of magnet business such as the the MBC and the French Laundry produces economic vitality which draws other business to the city and helps the long-term redevelopment of the downtown.

8. A vibrant downtown is one of the principal reasons why young people choose to relocate to a particular area.

In its newsletter, the church didn't include any rationale for its opposition. Perhaps church leaders believe the new establishment will be some sort of all-night blind pig or speak easy filled with rowdy drunks. Nothing could be further from the truth.

This new business will be a moderately priced restaurant and craft brew pub.  Michigan's craft beer makers are becoming world renown for the variety of flavors they produce and craft beer consumers, much like wine enthusiasts, are interested in quality not quantity.  The clientele at MBC restaurants include many families, young couples and customers of all age.

If the church carries through on its intention to object, I hope the Liquor Control Commission will override the objection and  approve the application.  If the church is successful in its effort to derail this project, I'm afraid it will leave bad feelings in town for a long time to come.

But mostly, I hope the members of the Fenton United Methodist Church will reconsider their objection and  join us in welcome a thriving new business to downtown Fenton.

John Strayer