One lane of Rath Avenue expected to re-open today

The site of AndyS at the southeast corner of Ludington and Rath avenues this morning.

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief

LUDINGTON — The southbound lane of the 100 block of South Rath Avenue is expected to be open to traffic later today. During last week’s regular City Council meeting, councilors voted to rescind its allowance of the closure of the street for construction of AndyS Restaurant, located on the southeast corner of Ludington and Rath avenues.

Representatives of the city and AndyS discuss the reopening.

“We have met with representatives of the city and have come up with a solution that works for both sides,” Andy Riemer said today at the construction site. Riemer and representatives from general contractor Tridonn Construction, met briefly with City Councilor John Terzano and Mayor Mark Barnett on Rath Avenue.

Terzano had made the motion during the Sept. 23 council meeting to revoke street closure permits requiring the southbound lane to be re-opened by today, Monday, Sept. 30 and the northbound lane to be re-opened by Monday, Oct. 7.

The closure of the southbound lane was initially scheduled for seven weeks, as reported by MCP in March. The northbound lane of the 100 block of South Rath Avenue has been closed since Sept. 13, 2023.

The motion, passed by the council, gave the Ludington Department of Public Works authority to remove any fencing and equipment if the items had not been removed by the deadline. It also gave Interim City Manager Jeanne Oakes authority to issue a municipal civil infraction in the case of non-compliance.

“We worked it out,” Terzano said following the conversation on the street. “The southbound lane is expected to be open by 3 p.m. today. A lot of this has been about communication. There hasn’t been very good communications on both sides, from the contractor and from the city.”

AndyS will be located on the site of the former Michael’s Bar & Grill, which was razed. It will be a three-level sports bar. It will will feature a rooftop bar, golf simulators, large TVs and an upscale bar-food menu. It will also host live music.

Dr. Andy Riemer is an ophthalmologist who owns Riemer Eye Center, Stix Bar (and Park Lanes bowling), and Chuck Wagon Pizza. He also recently purchased Doc’s Sable River Inn in Grant Township, which will become Doc’s on the River, along with Emerson Lake Inn in Branch Township, which will also have a new name.

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