That permit application took 8 weeks longer than I planned

I wanted to open a small retail spot on East Grand Boulevard in Detroit. Nothing fancy, just a place to sell vintage furniture. I figured the city permit would take maybe 3 weeks. Eight weeks later I was still chasing paper. Every time I called someone said I needed a different form or a signature I didnt have. I ended up going down to the office three separate times in person just to talk to a real human. The guy at the desk finally told me to bring all my documents at once and wait there while he looked them over. It took 4 hours in a chair but I walked out with approval that same day. Has anyone else had the city hold up their plans way longer than expected?

3 comments

3 Comments

dakota4152d ago

Downtown Detroit is annoying with that stuff for sure, but isn't this just how local government works everywhere? My buddy tried to open a taco stand in Ferndale and had to get three separate sign offs for a folding table on the sidewalk. He spent more time at city hall than he did cooking. Honestly kind of sounds like you got it done in about the standard time for this kind of thing. Maybe the guy who told you 3 weeks was just guessing wrong from the start.

stellaperry2d ago

Gotta push back a little @dakota415 - the guy didn't guess wrong, they totally gave me a flat out wrong timeline upfront.

tara6422d ago

Wait, is that actually what happened? I used to be pretty forgiving about city timelines, but getting a flat out wrong date upfront is a whole different thing. That would have totally changed how I planned stuff.