Search
 

Long-Awaited Mixed-Use Pinnacle Aeropark Begins Taking Shape

HURON TOWNSHIP, MI-Following years of legal and financial delays, design of the 1,200-acre mixed-use park is starting to take shape. Development of the entire park, which will consist of shops, hotels and a business/technology sector, is expected to cost about $7.5 million.

By Dan Heaton | Updated on August 23, 2005

HURON TOWNSHIP, MI-Three unnamed design firms are working on plans for the Pinnacle Aeropark, a 1,200-acre mixed-use park adjacent to Detroit Metropolitan Airport. Mulugetta Birru, Wayne County executive director of economic development, says plans are being developed for the first phase, which consists of 150 acres. Birru says the site is being developed for potential tenants, although no tenants have been confirmed. “Until you have a site, people can’t trust your word that the land will be ready,” Birru says.

The proposed Pinnacle Aeropark, which is to span Huron Township and the City of Romulus, has been postponed since 1999 because of limited financing and legal delays. In 2003, Wayne County had tried to take possession of about 500 acres of the property by buying the land from 12 owners, using $21 million in Federal Aviation Administration funds. The county used eminent domain to sue for the land after the owners refused to sell.

The County Circuit Court denied a motion by the owners for summary disposition, allowing the county to proceed with the condemnation and taking of the land. The owners took it higher, and the Appeals Court affirmed the circuit court’s decision in late April 2003. However, in July 2004, the Michigan Supreme Court overruled that decision, declaring that the power of eminent domain could not be used to condemn the properties.

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.