MITC moves forward in Plymouth and Northville with Brownfield Authority
Plymouth Township Supervisor Kurt Heise, Michigan Land Bank Director Josh Burgett and Norrthville Township Supervisor Robert Nix announce new development plans at the site of the former Detroit House of Corrections prison on Five Mile Road, August 2017.
Sep. 12, 2018 PLYMOUTH EAGLE.
Plymouth Michigan News
Plymouth and Northville Township officials have approved resolutions authorizing the creation of a site-specific Brownfield Authority for the Five Mile Road Corridor, shared by both townships between Napier and Beck roads.
Known as the Michigan International Technology Corridor (MITC) Redevelopment Authority, the new entity will leverage tax increment revenue to clean up the former Detroit House of Corrections (DeHoCo) prison site in Plymouth Township, and other contaminated sites in Northville. The DeHoCo property is owned by the Michigan Land Bank.
The MITC Brownfield Authority and the Michigan Land Bank will collaborate on needed infrastructure improvements, including the reconstruction of Five Mile Road, water mains, and sewer lines in the corridor.
“This is a historic moment for our communities,” said Northville Township Supervisor Robert Nix. “Thanks to the leadership of the Michigan Land Bank we will be creating an engine for economic growth and development for years to come.”
Plymouth Township Supervisor Kurt Heise, who as state representative wrote legislation transferring the DeHoCo Prison to the Land Bank, added, “The MITC Redevelopment Authority builds on the shared vision for the long-dormant, undeveloped DeHoCo properties. Our team is taking an eyesore property and making it a showplace for development.”
“The Michigan Land Bank works to create positive economic impact to communities across Michigan,” said Michigan Land Bank Director Josh Burgett. “The former DeHoCo site will be a catalyst for continued growth in this region and we are proud to be a part of this partnership. We thank Supervisor Heise, Supervisor Nix and the community leaders who are helping to bring this collaboration together.”
Development of the MITC Corridor was initiated last year at the Robert Scott prison site at Beck and Five Mile with an upscale mixed-use project. The Village of Northville project includes single family houses, townhouses, lofts, retail, restaurants, and a hotel.
With the Village project under construction, economic development in the MITC Corridor is accelerating at a rapid pace, Heise said. New companies include the Verita Company located in Plymouth Township at Five and Ridge and Zhongding Sealing Parts (USA), Inc. located in Northville Township east of Five Mile and Ridge.
In addition, Plymouth Township recently signed a $3.5 million purchase agreement with Hillside Investments for former DeHoCo farmland property on Five Mile west of Ridge. The corridor sites are zoned for office, research and development, with an emphasis on high-tech operations and companies seeking sites for a world headquarters.
For more information about the Michigan International Technology Centervisit www.mitc-usa.org.
Plymouth Voice.
Photo © Don Howard/Associated Newspapers
Plymouth Voice.
