Search
 

Scofflaws Buy New Suburban Courthouse

FERNDALE, MI-The suburb increases fines for civil infractions to buy land and build a new law facility, an idea copied from Royal Oak. It is expected to bring more than $108,000 a year to pay the cost, which could be as much as $3 million.

By Robert Carr | Updated on May 20, 2001

FERNDALE, MI-People paying for parking tickets, running red lights and even not wearing a seat belt will be able to say they helped build a city landmark. This suburb of Detroit has increased civil infraction costs in the city to buy land and build a new courthouse.

The current site, a 40-year-old building that once housed a mattress warehouse, is old and rundown, and incredibly small, says Mayor Chuck Goedert.

The city leaders tried to entice state and county money for a new court, and even tried ideas to pair a new court development with neighboring cities such as Madison Heights and Hazel Park. However, those plans failed. With a faltering budget due to losing about 3,000 residents in the 2000 census, the city had no choice, says City Manager Tom Barwin.

Want to continue reading?
Become a Free ALM Digital Reader.

Once you are an ALM digital member, you’ll receive:

  • Unlimited access to GlobeSt and other free ALM publications
  • Access to 15 years of GlobeSt archives
  • Your choice of GlobeSt digital newsletters and over 70 others from popular sister publications
  • 1 free article* every 30 days across the ALM subscription network
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM events and publications

*May exclude premium content
Already have an account?

NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.

GlobeSt

Join GlobeSt

Don't miss crucial news and insights you need to make informed commercial real estate decisions. Join GlobeSt.com now!

  • Free unlimited access to GlobeSt.com's trusted and independent team of experts who provide commercial real estate owners, investors, developers, brokers and finance professionals with comprehensive coverage, analysis and best practices necessary to innovate and build business.
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM and GlobeSt events.
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including ThinkAdvisor.com and Law.com.

Already have an account? Sign In Now
Join GlobeSt

Copyright © 2024 ALM Global, LLC. All Rights Reserved.