Fairgrounds Development Coalition Says Enough is Enough
Stakeholder group of neighbors wants development plan finalized
A group of neighbors around the Michigan State Fairgrounds at 8 Mile and Woodward are pushing Michigan Land Bank Fast Track Authority officials to make a decision on what they say is a stalled redevelopment project. The 160-acres is the largest developable parcel in the City of Detroit. It has basically been sitting vacant for more than 5 years. The State Fairgrounds Development Coalition says deadlines on the project are being ignored by the State. Karen Hammer is a member of the coalition. She says the Michigan Land Bank should be pushing the developers to start working on the project or end the agreement. Hammer says the Land Bank needs to stick to a March 21st deadline it set for itself. She says lack of action by the Land Bank Authority is leaving the City of Detroit hamstrung.
“Since the land belongs to the state at this point, the City can talk to the parties but the City has not authority until the land is sold and then it is part of the City” -Karen Hammer, State Fairgrounds Development Coalition
Hammer says the proposed developer, Lansing based Magic Plus LLC, has had more than enough time to get started. She wants the Land Bank to reopen the process and look for another interested party. Michigan Land Bank Fast Track Authority spokesperson, David Murray, says there are no deadlines for any decisions. He says the Land Bank is continuing to work with the developer and the City of Detroit.
