No plans yet exist for development of vacant property at the intersection of M-15 and Dixie Highway.
Independence Township sought and secured special funding through Oakland County to clear the land and deal with contamination left from former gas stations.
Township Supervisor Pat Kittle said multiple developers over the years have attempted to purchase and develop the property.
‘But they have been scared away because of the economy and environmental concerns due to soil contamination,” said Kittle.
A developer must also comply with other requirements set by the township.
‘Anyone that develops the property must comply with curb cuts and make sure the property is safe,” said Township Trustee and Planning Commision member Ron Ritchie.
‘We are not dictating what needs to be on the property, but there are also concerns with safety,”Ritchie added.
Connecting an entrance to the rear of the property towards the Rite Aid plaza is also a consideration.
Last summer one developer explored leveling the old building, getting rid of contaminated soil and build a new building to house a Tim Horton’s and a T-Mobile cellular phone store. Those plans fell through.
Challenges at the location presented serious stumbling blocks including excessive financial costs for development.
The township secured special funding from the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, a special financing program created to assist communities in redeveloping and restoring difficult properties to make them environmentally and economically viable.
Oakland County Board of Commissioners approved the funding last summer.
Cost to remove the building and contaminated soil is estimated about $151,000. Kittle said Oakland County will cover those costs, and then be reimbursed over 19 years by the net increase in property values.
Presently the property is valued at $209,400, but once redevelopment is done the value will increase to about $525,000. The township will receive tax on the $209,400 and the county will receive tax on the $315,000 difference of the $525,000.
-Andrea Beaudoin