Press Release | Office of the Mayor | Westland City Council Approves Brownfield Plan for Former City Hall Site

For Immediate Release | Official Press Release

PRESS RELEASE

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR

36300 Warren Road | Westland, Michigan | 48185

Office 734.467.3200 | Fax 724.721.2310

WWW.CITYOFWESTLAND.COM

Westland City Council Approves Brownfield Plan for Former City Hall Site

At the December 7 Council Meeting, the Westland City Council approved a comprehensive Brownfield Plan for the City's former city hall site.

The goal of the plan is to promote the economic development and redevelopment of the site for the overall benefit of the community and spur additional redevelopment along the Ford Road corridor. The plan provides for the redevelopment of the eligible property and makes the redevelopment eligible for reimbursement of certain eligible activity costs through tax increment financing.

The project is comprised of approximately 45 acres of land. The plan includes four vacant buildings that are all located on Ford Rd. The buildings are the former City Hall, the Bailey Recreation Center, the City's original Fire Station and the recently purchased Michigan Motor Exchange. The redevelopment may include environmental investigation and remediation, the abatement and demolition of existing buildings, mass site preparation activities and the construction associated infrastructure improvements to accommodate the redevelopment.

This property has been identified as an ideal location for mixed-use development with potential residential, retail, medical/educational, office and institutional/civic uses. The project also may include additional recreational and entertainment venues as well as complimentary public space.

Under the approved Brownfield plan, the Westland Downtown Development Authority will be eligible for reimbursement of their costs incurred to demolish the structures on Ford Rd when the land gets re-developed. Those reimbursable estimated costs are projected to be; Abatement of Asbestos and Hazardous materials ($75,000.00), Demolition of structures ($350,000.00), Administrative Expenses ($25,000.00) Plan Preparation and Due Care Activities ($50,000.00) and Contingencies ($75,000.00).

For more information, contact Aubrey Berman, Administrative Secretary,
at (734) 467-3200.

The City of Westland is the 10th largest city in Michigan with a population of over 84,000. The city's residential development is an excellent blend of single family homes, apartments and condominiums. The broad selection of housing opportunities is complimented by over 1500 acres of well-maintained parks and nature trails as well as a highly rated municipal golf course. Also available is a skate park, ice arena, a state-of-the-art Library and novel city park themes that are fun and family-friendly.

Westland has the location, land, infrastructure, and leadership, under Mayor William R. Wild to attract new industry and help existing businesses redevelop properties and to maintain competitiveness in today's global economy. Six modern platted industrial parks on 320 acres are served by class "A" internal roads, with up to date utilities and rail access available within two of the parks. Westland is conveniently located within the center of southeastern Michigan's expressway system, minutes north of Detroit Metropolitan Airport, and ideally located between downtown Detroit and Ann Arbor.

Westland is the area's premier "Shopping and Dining Destination". Westland Shopping center, one of the country's original four regional malls, boasts 80 retail stores and has anchored Westland's commercial district for more than 30 years. Westland's diversity and progressive planning offers residents a wide variety of life experiences, and make Westland truly the "All American City".