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Development Delays and Bright Prospects in Northville

The ongoing development activity on Five Mile Road showcases both challenges and new opportunities.

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News Summary

Northville and Plymouth Townships are buzzing with development activity along Five Mile Road, despite facing delays from ambitious plans. While some projects have flourished, many parcels remain vacant, presenting both challenges and opportunities for future growth. Key projects include residential developments, restaurants, and infrastructural upgrades, showcasing the region’s potential as it aims to attract high-tech and life sciences enterprises.

Northville & Plymouth Townships: Development Delays and Bright Prospects Along Five Mile Road

The buzz around Northville and Plymouth Townships continues to build as development projects unfold along the increasingly important Five Mile Road. While the excitement is palpable, the reality of ongoing delays and the presence of numerous “For Sale” signs reminds us that progress doesn’t always move at the pace we hope for. It has been a whole decade since ambitious plans were laid out to attract high-tech, life sciences, and automotive enterprises to the area.

The Michigan International Technology Center (MITC)

Big dreams were pinned on the Michigan International Technology Center (MITC), which was envisioned to cover up to a whopping 5 million square feet of facilities, bringing in a cool $620 million in investments, and generating more than 9,000 jobs. Yet, development at MITC hasn’t quite followed the ambitious roadmap set back in 2015 when the land was formerly a prison. The area has witnessed gradual growth that has turned out to be more of a slow burn than a roaring fire.

Despite these hiccups, planners like Gary Roberts remain hopeful. The focus now is on pulling in jobs, attracting investments, and turning those vacant pieces of land back into contributors on the tax rolls.

Spotlight on Ongoing & Upcoming Projects

Earlier this year, a range of ongoing and upcoming projects along the 800-acre stretch of Five Mile Road were highlighted, showcasing both potential and promise. Here’s a closer look at some of the key sites:

Site 1: The former women’s prison is not just a relic of the past anymore! With a hotel, eatery, and various businesses already on-site, this property is buzzing with activity.
Site 2: Home to the Zhongding research and development center, a Chinese rubber grommet manufacturer, this site has already developed half of its property with four acres left for future endeavors.
Site 3: Once a gun range, this land has undergone environmental cleanup (costing about $450,000) and is now available for development.
Sites 4, 5, and 6: Smaller sites ranging from 1-7 acres are currently undeveloped due to their irregular shapes but are being held for exciting possibilities such as restaurants, daycare centers, and clinics to bolster local industry.
Site 7: Toll Brothers is making strides with a 98-unit residential condominium development, Coldwater Ridge, featuring three-bedroom homes starting from the mid $600,000s, complete with amenities like a pickleball court and walking trails.
Site 9: This site is witnessing significant additions, featuring Northville Lumber, which is receiving accolades as a top lumber yard, and Verita, which is expanding with a 16-acre space.
Site 10: Jones Development is gearing up to construct a massive 700,000-square-foot speculative building on over 100 acres, which will come with infrastructure upgrades financed through tax increment financing.
Site 15: Exciting news for shoppers! A new Meijer store will be located here after addressing some environmental concerns. Infrastructure work is slated to kick off in Spring 2024, bringing some much-needed upgrades to the area.

A Road to Improvement

In terms of infrastructure, the reconstruction of Five Mile Road between Beck and Ridge Roads is nearing completion. Nearly 99% of the project is done, thanks to a generous $10 million from the state. This revamped road will now feature a modernized three-lane concrete layout, complete with a center turn lane to make navigating much more comfortable.

Future plans also include rebuilding Five Mile Road west to Napier Road, with engineering already in the books, though funding remains a hurdle. Additionally, efforts are underway to restore the habitat around Johnson Creek, aimed at enhancing water flow and protecting our endangered fish.

Despite the bumps in the road, the development landscape along Five Mile Road reveals not just challenges but also a sea of opportunities that could reshape the area for generations to come. So, stay tuned, Northville and Plymouth, the future is filled with promise!