In an effort to gain some breathing room, a longtime, well-known Oxford business is planning to build a brand new office on a vacant piece of land located in the village.
Last week, Walton & Becker Eyecare presented a conceptual plan to the village planning commission calling for the construction of a one-story building approximately 3,900 square feet in size on a 0.51-acre property located at 87-89 S. Washington St. between Broadway and Ensley streets.
‘We are in the process of purchasing the land,? said Dr. Elizabeth Becker.
A new building would give the 49-year-old optometry practice nearly double the amount of office space it currently has at its 837 S. Lapeer Rd. facility, creating a better experience for patients and making it easier for three doctors to work together under one roof, according to Becker.
‘We’ll be able to increase the number of exam rooms, have better flow for patients and a lot more room for our frame and waiting areas because those are really cramped right now,? she said. ‘We have standing-room only on a regular basis.?
‘The whole flow is going to be better,? said Becker’s husband, Mike Becker, who is coordinating the project. ‘It’s going to be (a) much more modern (facility) than what they have today.?
The extra room will allow the practice to display more of its extensive selection of frames for eyeglasses and sunglasses, and give patients a more comfortable space to try them on.
‘We have 700 frames here, but people can’t see them (all),? Becker said.
Becker believes the new location is superior because it will allow the practice to have greater visibility on M-24, it’s closer to the many medical facilities in the downtown area and the traffic moves a little slower because the speed limit is lower in that area.
The proposed building would include 30 parking spaces.
Besides expanding to meet current and future needs, Becker views this move as a nod to the practice’s roots.
‘It’s exciting because the practice started off in downtown Oxford,? she said.
The very first office was located where Red Knapp’s American Grill stands today, according to Becker. She said the practice was located in ‘several places? downtown before moving to its current location in the 1970s.
Mike Becker characterized the village planning commission’s feedback regarding the proposed building as ‘positive.?
Plans for the new Walter & Becker Eyecare office are expected to return for preliminary site plan approval at the village planning commission’s Tuesday, Feb. 17 meeting.
If all goes well, Mike Becker said construction is expected to begin in May or June.
‘We’d like to be able to move in January of 2016,? he said.