After much discussion, one of the largest construction projects in Independence Township history has been given the green light.
The Independence Township Board of Trustees voted 6-1 to approve the second reading of the Liberty PUD. The vote clears the way for a $40 million mixed-use real estate development on the west side of Sashabaw Road between Waldon and Maybee Roads called Liberty Town Square.
Township resident Joseph Locricchio is one of the masterminds behind the project which will add to the Liberty Golf Course and Links of Independence condominiums. The plan calls for 48 detached condominiums, 42 town home condominiums, 115,000 square feet of commercial retail, 30,000 square feet of class A office space and three commercial pad sites.
‘The board approval was a culmination of 20 years of work for the vision of Sashabaw Road,? Locricchio said. ‘We are happy with how it turned out after our own two years of planning.?
Helping Locricchio with the project are Anthony Bashore of Wilshore Development Group and Manny Kniahynycky of MiK Development. The three are working together as Liberty Investments LLC, an affiliate of Independence Realty Venture LLC.
‘I think this is well balanced and well put together,? Liberty Investments attorney Neil Wallace said.
Locricchio said the goal of the project was to create a village feel with pedestrian traffic. The Liberty Town Square will try to capitalize on a sense of community by including pedestrian walkways to allow easy access not only for immediate neighbors, but even folks from the other side of Sashabaw Road (via a planned pedestrian crossing at Bow Pointe Drive).
‘This is a nice entry way into the township. When this is finished it will be a great amenity for the community,? Locricchio said.
In keeping with the township planners? concepts of the ‘town center? theme along Sashabaw Road, Liberty Town Square will also include a wetland bank with six acres of newly created wetland and preservation of open space areas in perpetuity.
‘It has been a long time waiting for a project like this to come along,? Trustee Dave Wagner said. ‘I think it is a great project and will add a lot to the community.?
With the expansion of Sashabaw Road now underway, Locricchio said a lot of businesses are showing interest in the project. While they are in discussions with numerous businesses, TCF Bank is the only company already committed to Liberty Town Square.
‘We are in talks with some sit-down restaurants, coffee shops and some other service-oriented businesses,? Locricchio said. ‘Since Sashabaw is underway interest has really taken off. Before people would say the road would not be able to accommodate their business.?
Clerk Joan McCrary was the only board member who voted against the project. McCrary was concerned about the amount of residential space in the project.
‘I like the project but it is overdone on the residential. I don’t like the idea of homes being 18 feet apart,? McCrary said. ‘We have intense development on Sashabaw already. Are we widening Sashabaw for the purpose of just loading it up again??