Opinion: The Citizen

Last month Brandon township and the Village of Ortonville Ok’d an appraisal on a14-acre parcel west of M-15 just north of MacPhee’s Restaurant. The chunk of property near both the village and M-15 is a valuable piece of real estate for a variety of reasons.
Local officials say it’s time to purchase the ‘prime property? and earmark the high-traffic parcel for a new fire station and possibly a municipal complex including police, water treatment plant and township offices. The cost of the property, assuredly to tally in the millions, would be offset partially by selling the current township offices, fire station and sheriff’s department substation.
Fire department officials contend traffic congestion from businesses, school buses and pedestrians near the current South Street station hamper the accessibility to M-15 making the current location less desirable for a fire truck racing to a blaze. Similarly, police cars speeding out of the village also pose a safety factor along Mill and South streets. Finally, the township offices are older and will eventually need replacing and, in the event sewers ever arrive, the property is a central location for a sewage treatment plant.
Township officials say moving to the M-15 property would free up several parcels in the village for new businesses and coupled with the recent Main Street designation program help rejuvenate the downtown area. Ultimately, the move would help maintain a ‘country atmosphere,? along M-15 and avoid the ‘business strip? similar to Dixie Highway in Waterford.
Conversely, the M-15 section of property is also prime for businesses’the segment of our community that pays substantial taxes, employs workers and provides local goods and services nearby.
Opponents of the land purchase argue the property, currently zoned light industrial, would be better suited for a prospective business either retail or industrial.
Furthermore, adversaries say township officials would serve the community better by finding a less-high traffic (and less expensive) area for their municipal complex and let businesses flourish along M-15. Locking up property for a tax free government business and eliminating generations of local jobs is a high price to pay? exceeding the multi-million dollar price tag. Township officials are providing too many ifs with hard earned tax dollars and too few guarantees, say critics.
The township and village are eyeing a major land swap’a deal contingent on numerous factors including sewers, business and cooperation between municipalities. Before the ‘sold? sign goes up on the property and the first mortgage payment is due a detailed plan should be made public’the future of both communities are at stake.
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