Concannon: Saline's Village Marketplace & Lofts likely heading for tax foreclosure
The 1.5 acres in downtown Saline once planned for Village Marketplace & Lofts is listed among several commercial real estate properties included in this month's Washtenaw County tax foreclosures - and its developer says payment of the late 2008 taxes is unlikely by the March 31 deadline.
The result: The property ownership would shift to the county, which would auction it later this year.
Michael Concannon, owner of the Village Marketplace property on West Michigan Avenue, indicates he will not pay the $54,000 redemption amount for four plots of land. Lienholders on the property also could redeem the back taxes and take possession of the land, officials said, but it's unclear whether anyone will step forward.
He reiterated previous public statements that when the financing fell through for the development, the project basically died.
"We basically have no means to do anything," Concannon said.
The project, which was to include 30 residences and retail space in 63,000-square-foot structure, was also declared a nuisance by Judge David Swartz in November. In a lawsuit filed by the city, Swartz ordered the owner to pay the undisclosed cost of remediating the land, which is now a shallow hole in the ground.
Saline City Manager Todd Campbell said the city is exploring how to proceed, given the developer's apparent lack of ability to meet the judge's orders.
"At this point, we're reviewing possible enforcement measures and waiting to see what will happen," he said.
Meanwhile, County Treasurer Catherine McClary said a date for the county's foreclosure auction has not been set.
McClary said that recently lien holders, especially banks, have been more hesitant to redeem commercial property than in the past. She's expecting at least 400 development lots, for example, to go unredeemed this year.
"People are being very picky all of a sudden," she said. "Normally, in the old days, banks always paid."
McClary emphasize that she encouraged property owners in danger of falling behind in their taxes to call her office at 222-6600.
Dan Meisler is a freelance reporter.
Comments
Jim Nazium
Thu, Mar 24, 2011 : 2:21 a.m.
I know for a fact that it has been proposed to the city council to fill in the hole from left over dirt from the trucking companies that drive by it every day. It wouldn't have cost the city a penny but they Shot It Down! The arrogance! At least the fence would be down and it would be flat, and far more sell-able but geesh, that must make too much sense. And why can't the city sue to get the taxes owed? Another loophole in the system? I'm no expert, just asking.. It would be nice to have at least half of it as some type of downtown parking, that might help the businesses downtown, plus the new Mangiamo's , I hear they are off to a good start. What do you all think it should be turned into? - putt putt -fill it with water and make it the downtown fishing hole -Arby's -dig a little deeper and when we hit China we could just throw our jobs down the hole so the economy spirals so fast we go back in time to a better place -a mini-Target -Panera Bread... mmmmm -Mexican Restaurant preferably another Grasshopper like in Adrian.... yummy - an electric car dealership -a solar panel/windmill alternative energy type of store - an indoor RC Car racing track - a real racetrack with Shetland ponies with monkey jockeys going in an oval
towny
Thu, Mar 3, 2011 : 3:21 p.m.
This is not the city of Saline's fault. Yes, the city appears to have not handled this project right to protect the city and citizens from this eyesore. But, it has been dragged into the existing problem never the less. This property will be auctioned to the highest bidder. There are developers out there who will see this property for its value and at auction they will purchase for penny's on the dollar. Why should the city of Saline spend any of the taxpayers money towards this property and take off there tax rolls, they have enough to worry about. Yes, its an eyesore. Kellys sat vacant for years now look at it. In due time this property will be developed its prime commercial on Michigan avenue. Unfortunately it will be more later than sooner.
Do not taunt Happy Fun Ball
Wed, Mar 2, 2011 : 9:46 p.m.
It should be a Skate park! It is already dug out - and has a big drop to it. Some concrete is all that is missing.
tommy_t
Wed, Mar 2, 2011 : 9:28 p.m.
What? banks shirking their responsibilities by walking away??? Why I never ! The Kettle has called the Pot out.
Bob Martel
Wed, Mar 2, 2011 : 6:54 p.m.
Sadly this is going to happen more often as banks and investors realize that the practical underlying value of some properties are way less than the taxes due. This will be especially true in the case of raw land and parcels in busted subdivisions. This is why I am concerned with the County's plan to issue bonds to yield cash in lieu of tax collections. While this has been common practice in the past in anticipation of ultimately collecting the taxes, in today's environment, I think that the County needs to be more judicious in determining the likelihood of eventually collecting these taxes and issue bonds accordingly.
caretaker
Wed, Mar 2, 2011 : 6:02 p.m.
Why didnt the Saline city council insist on a surety bond, before a shovel of dirt was turned over on this project? There appears to be a couple other city projects with the same problem . (TIME TO INSURE ?)
Buster W.
Wed, Mar 2, 2011 : 5:24 p.m.
As a resident, I don't want a parking lot or a park. A parking lot would be a complete eyesore and who in their right mind would seek tranquility in a park on Michigan Ave.? I'd be interested in knowing how much it would be to just remove the fencing, fill the hole and level off until the economy improves.
RuralMom
Wed, Mar 2, 2011 : 7:25 p.m.
Buster W. all I did was point out you were incorret on parks in Saline, yet stating you are a resident, when Curtiss Park is just 1 of the 2 that are directly on Michigan Ave. Spelling Error? Petty in the extreme however you can blame Saline Schools if you need to! Just one of the reasons I moved from Saline to the joyful countryside I now have. We don't have parks here, we have entire Recreational Areas.
Buster W.
Wed, Mar 2, 2011 : 6:41 p.m.
@RuralMom Yes, I'm a resident but um...do you mean Curtiss Park? 2 s's. Curtiss Park is a 50 acre park with large trees and has a river running thru it. This vacant lot is 1/2 block from a main intersection in the middle of town. I don't even think the vacant lot is 1/2 acre. We're talking apples and oranges here. Yes, CP is on Michigan Ave. -- got me there.
Edward Vielmetti
Wed, Mar 2, 2011 : 6:36 p.m.
Curtiss Park is along Michigan Ave in Saline, just east of the Saline River and across the street from Mill Pond Park which also borders on Michigan Ave.
RuralMom
Wed, Mar 2, 2011 : 6:26 p.m.
Um Curtis park is on Michigan ave, so are you sure you are a resident?
pegret
Wed, Mar 2, 2011 : 5:21 p.m.
Well, Saline, at least you're in good company. Downtown Petoskey has had a giant hole in the ground the size of a city block smack in the middle of downtown for several years now from an ambitious project that went bust. Many residents objected to this development from the beginning, and unfortunately, they tore down several historic buildings, including the old movie theater in order to facilitate it. The developers walk away from these projects, leaving what looks like bombed-out areas behind for the city and residents to deal with. I doubt that many of them even have to give up their current lifestyles...they just move on to the next project.
mgoblue73
Wed, Mar 2, 2011 : 4:38 p.m.
What an emarrassment to Saline. We are the only city in the area with a garbage pit in downtown. The city needs to pony up the money to clean up this mess. Either make it a parking lot, or a park. Something other than a fenced-in dumping ground.
YpsiLivin
Wed, Mar 2, 2011 : 6:40 p.m.
Relax. Ann Arbor had a giant pit downtown for awhile, which had the added amusement of an operational gas station perched perilously on one edge of it. Then suddenly, there were unaffordably affordable condos. Saline will soldier on. And who knows? Maybe the Development Fairy will come and dump a shiny new PUD on The Pit of Saline.