VBT LDFA backs off suggestion to rename Visteon Way

A suggestion to rename Visteon Way in what was once called Visteon Village in Van Buren Township was brought forward by John Delaney at the May 8 meeting of the VBT Local Development Finance Authority.
Delaney, who serves as LDFA corresponding secretary, explained that Visteon Way is a county road and no longer belongs to Visteon. He said he looked into the procedure necessary to change the name of the street and found as far as the zip codes and street addresses, “the same little old lady in Washington does that.”
As far as changing the name to “Grace Lake Way,” Sovereign, which now owns the Grace Lake Corporate Center, doesn’t have a problem with that, Delaney said.
VBT Supervisor Kevin McNamara, a former county commissioner, told Delaney that he got it right on how to do it. He asked if there was a letter from Sovereign.
“I would ask him if he’s willing to change this,” Supervisor McNamara said, referring to a Sovereign official.
Delaney said the township is suing Visteon and they don’t want Visteon’s name on that street.
LDFA member Doug Peters said: “Stop here! Visteon is Sovereign’s most prestigious tenant. Let Visteon have what it has.”
Peters, a nationally renowned attorney who is now retired, pointed out the law suit is yet to be filed and this is not a good idea.
“I’m against anything for Visteon,” Delaney said.
LDFA Chairman Michael Dotson said there seems to be board consensus that this is a question of timing.
Delaney made a motion, supported by Peters to table the discussion of changing the name of Visteon Way and the motion passed unanimously.
In other business at the one hour and five minute meeting, the LDFA:
• Discussed the erection of the large new electronic sign on Grace Lake property along I-275 to promote parcel sales that has a place for digital LED messages from VBT at the bottom. Now it reads, “Welcome to Van Buren Township,” but it could be changed to say other things. Any messages would go through the supervisor’s office. Akers noted that Wayne County has given approval for the new building at Grace Lake, but ground breaking has not yet been set;
• Learned there are three vacancies on the LDFA now that Danylo Dobriansky had to resign because he has been elevated to silent partner at Sovereign. Another Sovereign representative will be appointed. A representative has been needed from the county for a long time and, reportedly, now Commissioner Al Hadious is working on that. Also, another member is needed from the community and those interested should apply;
• Discussed listing with a Realtor the property the LDFA owns on Ecorse Road and decided against it. Delaney said the three properties around their property are all up for sale. Peters said the LDFA should take its property off the market until the adjacent properties are sold. Dotson directed Ron Akers, VBT director of planning and economic development, to make no further move to list the property and bring it back at a future time. Akers said if someone broaches the township he’ll bring the offer to the LDFA. The small piece of property is west of Hannan Road near the entryway to Grace Lake Corporate Center;
• Accepted a packet of information prepared by Akers on changes to state law regarding tax increment financing (TIF) bodies across the state, including the VBT LDFA and the VBT DDA. Akers said the changes were made because a lot of TIFs were not following the law. He said VBT was properly recording everything as required by law. He said, among other things, the new law requires increased reporting and a separate page on the VBT website where the minutes, budget, audit, and TIF plan would be displayed. Dotson asked Akers to provide a list of changes and who is responsible for each one. If bodies are not compliant for two years they will no longer be able to levy the taxes, Akers said;
• Heard Delaney address Supervisor McNamara about the township’s employee policy asking how it affects LDFA members. McNamara said there is a board ethics policy that has “holes all over it” and they are working to fix that. He said it’s mainly, “Treat others like you expect to be treated.” Delaney said the LDFA is different since they are not at-will employees. He said, for example, an employee is not allowed to bring a gun into a township building, but the public can. McNamara said members of boards and commissions also are not allowed to carry guns into the building. Delaney said it is not a gun-free zone. Dotson said he is interested in seeing the township’s new policy.