Birmingham Pub gets final city approval

By Kevin Elliott

Plans by the Joe Vicari Restaurant Group to open the Birmingham Pub along South Old Woodward in the former Triple Nickel location received a stamp of approval on Monday, March 22, by the Birmingham City Commission.

Vicari purchased the Triple Nickel restaurant, 555. S. Old Woodward, following its permanent closure last year. The Vicari Restaurant Group, which owns the Andiamo restaurants and Joe Muer Seafood, will offer homemade, comfort food under the new moniker.

The Triple Nickel was created in 2010 using an economic development license, thus requiring Vicari to obtain a special land use permit and approval from the city commission for name changes and ownership transfers. The city planning board in February recommended city commissioners approve the project’s final site plan and special land use permit.

City commissioner Rackeline Hoff questioned whether Vicari would be permitted continued use of the economic development license, which requires that businesses invest a minimum amount of capital in a project.

Birmingham Planning Director Jana Ecker confirmed the commission could transfer the economic development license without starting the process over again. She said the same had been done for Hazel Ravines & Downtown when it was transferred from The Stand, as well as The Stand when it was transferred from the former Zazio’s.

Interior and exterior changes at Birmingham Pub will be minimal. New signage to the exterior will be illuminated, with plans to illuminate a second-story building identification sign that will mark the pub, similar to the previous establishment. The illumination of the second-story sign still needs approval from the zoning board of appeals.

Commissioners unanimously approved the final site plan and special land use permit.