Gift of Education Developer/lawyer donates building to Oakland University

By John Minnis Legal News Stuart R. Frankel is an active member in good standing with the State Bar of Michigan, but he doesn't practice law -- at least for a living that is. Frankel found his niche as a developer. Over the past 40 years, Stuart Frankel Development Co. in Troy has built 16 office and high tech developments, more than 1.5 million square feet of light manufacturing and warehouse space and 12 shopping centers, including an active roll in the development and management of Somerset Collection and surrounding apartments and commercial property. Frankel has also been a mover and a shaker in the rebuilding and revitalization of downtown Mount Clemens along with friend and co-developer Gabe Anton, founder of the popular menswear stores he sold in 1987. Frankel and Anton have remained committed to Mount Clemens and recently added education to their efforts by donating the two-story, $2 million, 25,422-square-foot Town Square II building at 20 S. Main Street to Oakland University to operate as a satellite campus. Frankel and Anton donated the keys to Town Square II to university officials at a ceremony Sept. 22. Town Square II became available this year when employment law firm Andary, Andary, Davis and Andary moved to larger quarters. Mary Otto, OU's vice president for outreach, said the Mount Clemens satellite campus was made possible by two great men, Frankel and Anton, as well as city and county leaders. "If you know Gabe," she said, "you know how much he loves downtown Mount Clemens." Oakland University has been active in Macomb County for more than three decades. In 1991, it was the largest partner to offer classes at Macomb Community College's University Center, the first of its kind in the nation. Anton, Franken and Mount Clemens and Macomb County leaders hope to make Mount Clemens a "college town." When completed in next summer, the Oakland University Frankel/Anton Center will welcome some 500 students. OU officials also announced the receipt of a $1.6 million federal Neighborhood Stabilization grant that will go toward transforming the former business suites into classrooms, faculty offices, administrative space and an Education and Community Outreach Center. The $2.1 million renovation, with a $504,000 match from Oakland University, will also include installation of a fire suppression system, technology and equipment and furniture. The university plans to offer classes in 15 academic programs at the Mount Clemens campus. "It's nice to see so many westsiders on the eastside!" said Mount Clemens Mayor Barb Dempsey. "What an exciting day for Mount Clemens and Macomb County. This would not be possible without the generous donation of the building by Gabe Anton and Stuart Frankel." The mayor said OU satellite will have a positive impact on her downtown area and will spark many additional revitalization projects. Noted Birmingham attorney Henry Baskin, chairman of the OU Board of Trustees, said he has known of Anton and Frankel for years and has supported their efforts in Mount Clemens for "years and years." "Macomb County has a special place in my heart," Baskin said. "I practiced law here for a long time." Otto credited Oakland University's outreach efforts to university President Gary D. Russi, who in turn thanked Otto and her fellow administrators and faculty. "This would not happen without the support of all of you," he said. "I would also like to recognize Macomb County's dedication to quality education. I cannot thank Gabe and (Stuart) Frankel enough. It is a tremendous gift." Susan Davies Goepp, vice president of university relations and executive director of the Oakland University Foundation, welcomed Frankel and Anton to the Golden Oaks Society for donors who contribute cumulative cash gifts of $1 million or more or a planned gift of $2 million. "Gabe and Stuart," she said, "your gift is going to have an impact not only on our current students but students of the future." A self-made businessman, Anton said, "I've never been inside a university. I barely made it through high school." He said he and Frankel have been partners for 30 years. "I think the impact of this is going to have an impact for a long time," Anton said. "This will be a small college town. Mount Clemens has good bones. This is going to be a very significant thing. This is a miracle in the happening." Paul Gieleghem, chairman of the Macomb Count Board of Commissioners, recounted Mount Clemens' "rich history," including the rotten-egg smell of the mineral baths that once made the city famous. "People like Gabe Anton and Stuart Frankel fought to bring business back to Mount Clemens," he said. "Four-year degrees are the future, and we needed this expansion. But that wouldn't be possible without people like Gabe Anton and Stuart Frankel and the vision of Oakland University." Photo John Minnis From left, developer/attorney Stuart Frankel and Gabe Anton exchange a plaque and ceremonial keys to a downtown office building they donated to Oakland University with university officials Mary Otto, vice president for outreach; President Gary D. Russi; and Albert Lorenzo, executive-in-residence at Oakland University. Photo by Richard Smith/courtesy Oakland University Town Plaza II at 20 S. Main St. in downtown Mount Clemens was renamed the Oakland University Anton/Frankel Center in honor of developer/attorney Stuart Frankel and businessman Gabe Anton, who donated the $2 million building to the college. Published: Fri, Oct 8, 2010

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