Posted on Sat, Jan 5, 2013 : 9:49 a.m.
Plans for permanent fire substation on hold in Dexter Township after property sold
By Julie Baker
Dexter Township's plans to build a permanent fire substation are on hold after the property it planned to build on was sold, Dexter Patch reports.
The five-acre property at 11485 N. Territorial Road was sold Dec. 31 after the township let a $262,000 purchase agreement deadline pass Nov. 14, according to the story.
The township now is weighing its options, including condemning the property and taking it through eminent domain, Dexter Patch reports.
Township residents approved in November a tax up to 1 mill to build the new substation for the Dexter Area Fire Department. Firefighters with the DAFD have been working out a temporary substation at 12088 N. Territorial Road in Dexter Township since January 2012, according to previous reports.
Comments
dexterreader
Sun, Jan 6, 2013 : 3:19 p.m.
As a township resident, who voted in favor of raising my taxes to purchase this property and build the station, I would not be in favor of taking the property through eminent domain. That is not how I intended my tax dollars to be used. The township needs to negotiate fairly and/or look for a different site.
DennisP
Sun, Jan 6, 2013 : 2:59 p.m.
Not only will they pay more, they lost a $5000 security deposit paid on the option to purchase. Apparently, it was no big deal to the Township when they decided to hold up the purchase. Now, it's a big deal. This is known as mismanagement. While eminent domain may be legal, it will undoubtedly be more expensive. Right now, they should look to see if there are other properties they can purchase before pushing along with the eminent domain. It's also possible the new owner does intend to sell and they should check that option--although it may cost more up front, it will save on litigation costs.
chapmaja
Sun, Jan 6, 2013 : 6:26 a.m.
I suspect they will end up with the property anyway. I suspect the purchaser of the property knew what was going on, and will attempt to negotiated a sweetened deal with the township for the property. Something needs to be done with this property no matter what. It has been an eyesore for too long. Personally I would feel safer if the location station was built there. I live just north of the county line but look out my back window and see Dexter Township. When the house behind me burned several years ago, the first service on site was Putnam Township, not Dexter township. Putnam township has since moved their station farther away (more centrally located in the township), so a closer Dexter township station would come in handy. I do think it is comical that Dexter Township screwed this up though. They deserve to pay more just as a stupid tax because they screwed up. Too bad it's the taxpayers that end up paying that stupid tax.
Mick52
Sun, Jan 6, 2013 : 12:53 a.m.
Taking the land is the proper decision and in this case very appropriate, for public service. The prior owner knew the township planned on building a fire station on the lot and should have communicated that to anyone else looking to purchase the property. The Multi Lake Water and Sewer Authority site is not an appropriate site. Putting the station to the east means that many more residents fall into an area 5 miles from a fire station and that lowers home owners insurance, and in this case that applies to the highly populated area around Portage Lake. Regardless of whether or not the township takes the property, the new owners should be forced to demolish the deteriorated structure and improve the property, something that should have been done long ago.
Boo Radley
Sat, Jan 5, 2013 : 9:12 p.m.
They should have just continued to station fire equipment at the multi-lakes location without raising taxes to fund a new station.
justcurious
Sat, Jan 5, 2013 : 7:27 p.m.
Ridiculous situation. I think use of eminent domain would be wrong. They should build on the Multi Lakes property.
TMC216
Sat, Jan 5, 2013 : 4:11 p.m.
How amusingly pathetic. The township lost the deal by it's own inept actions and now talk of a land grab through eminent domain? Good luck with that! Dexter Township will eat up more than $262K in legal fees & damages easily.
Dog Guy
Sat, Jan 5, 2013 : 3:26 p.m.
If you snooze, you lose.