After nearly a year of planning, meetings and gradually winning over some of Springfield Township’s angry residents, REDICO has disappeared from the radar.
Township Supervisor Collin Walls said he last met with representatives from the Southfield-based developer in April, and hasn’t heard anything since.
Rumors of problems with the proposed development’s sewer system, he said, have people speculating about whether the project has been scrapped.
‘Another reason I’ve heard is that they’ve lost tenants,? he said, noting the township never had a final indication of which retailers would set up shop at Springfield Marketplace.
Walls admitted he was somewhat puzzled by REDICO’s silence, but wasn’t jumping to conclusions.
‘I’ll assume the things we’re hearing are pure speculation until I hear something or see something directly from REDICO,? he said. ‘They have not contacted us and I have not contacted them so I cannot verify anything.?
REDICO Vice President Ken Till said the company had no comment on the status of the development.
REDICO’formally known as Real Estate Development and Investment Company’approached the township in August with plans to purchase 36.5 acres of land owned by Dixie Baptist Church.
The last plans submitted to the township showed the development downsized from an original overall size of 380,000 square feet to 320,000 square feet on 36.5 acres of land near Dixie Highway and I-75, which the firm was to purchase from the church.
‘Several weeks ago Dixie Baptist Church brought in their site plan and the check for the site plan review,? said Groveland Township Supervisor Bob DePalma. ‘The next day they came in and asked if they could have the site plan and the check back.?
The church also submitted plans for review in Springfield Township, but several calls to Dixie Baptist Pastor Todd Vanaman went unreturned.
In addition to replacing the original plan for an underground water retention system with an above-ground storm water system, including stone trenches, leeching basins, and bio retention swales to meet with township regulations, REDICO was also planning a photometric study, to ensure minimal light trespass to neighboring residents, and making certain the development would comply with noise ordinances, as well.
REDICO and Lormax Stern were also developing an economic impact study, based on a format used by the Federal Reserve Board, to ensure the development would positively impact existing retailers.
It was thought an increase in the tax base would bring additional revenue of approximately $920,000 per year into township coffers, as well as offer a significant number of jobs to area residents.
For now, the Springfield Township board is waiting for news, one way or the other.
It’s really rather unusual,? said Walls. ‘But it’s certainly not the first time we’ve had an applicant in a hurry who suddenly stopped communicating.?