VBT DDA makes offer to buy two more parcels along Belleville Road

After a closed-door session on May 26, the Van Buren Township Downtown Development Authority voted to submit an offer to purchase two more parcels of land along Belleville Road.
Executive Director Susan Ireland said the narrow parcels, with homes on them, are just north of the parcels purchased from the Harris family by the DDA.
Last fall the DDA purchased about one acre of land on the east side of Belleville Road that was formerly the Harris residence and Grandpa’s Toy Shop. The Harris family was one of the first African American families to settle in Van Buren Township.
The site at 10101 and 10151 Belleville Road wraps behind and around the Remerica Main Street Realty office in a refurbished old home.
Realtor Carol Bird, who owns Main Street Realty, is a member of the DDA and she abstained from the motion to make an offer on the properties. She is acting as the Realtor in the process.
The proposed purchase of the additional Belleville Road frontage would add to the DDA land to the north along the roadway. The property owners had approached the DDA showing an interest in selling after the DDA bought the Harris property.
The DDA is putting together a survey to find out how the public thinks this space should be used.
In the 15-question draft survey, choices include farmer’s market, public transit stop, lunchtime concerts, summer concert series, outdoor movies, pet stations, outdoor art, rest rooms, drinking fountain, benches, community information kiosk, playground, gardens, etc.
In other business at the May 26 meeting, the DDA approved paying up to $2,000 for Director Ireland and Deputy Director Lisa Lothringer to fly to St. Louis Sept. 12-13 to attend a National Franchise and Business Opportunity Show to get information on how such shows are run and what to expect.
The VBT DDA is signed up to participate in the Oct. 30-31 National Franchise and Business Opportunities Show at the Novi Suburban Collection Showplace. This is the first time the DDA is taking part in such a show.
Of interest are the types of promotional items that should be given out, what type of literature to have available, and other information to help with the October event.
DDA member Helen Foster, who made the motion to approve, said they should only go if they see some benefit and maybe they could go to a similar event that is closer. The expenditure is optional and they don’t need to go.
Director Ireland said they are still weighing the benefits of such a trip.
Ireland also gave reports on ongoing projects, including:
• The sidewalks along the north I-94 Service Drive and from Tyler north along Belleville Road. She said a preconstruction meeting was set for 9 a.m. May 29 with contractor Davenport Brothers. A timetable for the project will be set up.
• The Belleville/Ecorse landscape. She said the bid period will be May 20-June 15, a recommendation will be in the DDA Baord Packet on June 18, the DDA will select a contractor on June 23, and, the landscaping will be installed Aug. 10-Sept. 18.
• Belleville/Quirk Road Monument Area. Ireland reported the township’s electrician is finishing up a project for the township. When they are finished it will be necessary to see where the DDA can get the electrical power so the electrician can make a recommendation. They want to get it from the same side of the road rather than crossing Belleville Road.
• Emergency Sirens. Ireland said the sirens have been installed and Public Safety was waiting for the dispatch equipment to arrive. Ireland said the equipment may have just arrived and, hopefully, they will be able to test the sirens on June 6, as planned.
• Walkability Audit. Ireland said it will kick off in early June. McKenna Associates is doing the audit and events are set with a final report to the DDA board set for Aug. 25.