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AndyS Restaurant on the southeast corner of Ludington and Rath avenues.
By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief
LUDINGTON — Just a couple weeks before completion of a multi-million dollar building, the City of Ludington has put a stop order on its completion, claiming the building’s columns over a sidewalk were built too close to the street.
In a press release issued today, City Manager Kaitlyn Aldrich stated the city issued the order today, Aug. 6, 2025, against AndyS Restaurant, 129 W. Ludington Ave. at the southeast corner of Ludington and Rath avenues.
“The city is excited about this project and looks forward to the energy and investment it will bring to our downtown,” Aldrich said. “However, the stop work order was necessary to address a serious health and safety issue, involving the columns that support the second-floor overhang. These columns have been constructed approximately one foot too close to Rath Avenue – in violation of the approved site plan – such that they pose a risk of collision with city snowplow blades, and are also likely to cause impacts with vehicle doors that open toward the columns, when a vehicle is parked out front. The city has requested that the developer submit a corrective action plan to bring the locations of the columns into compliance with the approved site plan, and the city looks forward to receiving that plan soon. When the developer has fully corrected this serious site plan violation, the stop work order will then be lifted, so that this project can again start moving forward toward completion. We remain committed to supporting responsible development and ensuring that all construction projects prioritize public safety and adhere to approved standards.”
On behalf of Dr. Andy Riemer, owner of the building, his associate, Suzanne DeMott said the pillars are right where they are supposed to be.
“We are disappointed the city chose to issue a stop work order as we were actively working to address the city’s claim that the pillars of the building should be further from the eastern curb of Rath Avenue,” DeMott stated. “In fact, the building and pillars were built in the exact location as the city approved site plan. It appears the issue with the distance of the curb location was created by the prior development to the west. The building is substantially complete and ready to open for business and these actions by the city will delay the opening and put the business at risk. We are hopeful the city will work towards resolution.”
DeMott said the building is a $10 million project that will bring jobs and business to downtown Ludington, along with a major increase in property tax payments.
A special meeting of the Ludington City Council is scheduled for today at 5 p.m. at Ludington Municipal Building, 400 S. Harrison St. The only item on the agenda is a closed session to consult with the city’s legal counsel. Though the agenda does not state the AndyS issue is the topic of discussion, DeMott confirmed that their business will have representatives at the meeting.
DeMott said it’s unlikely the restaurant will now be able to open this summer.
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