Groundbreaking marks official start to $350M redevelopment project in Northville
NORTHVILLE — A $350 million redevelopment project is officially underway following a groundbreaking ceremony May 13.
Dubbed “The Downs,” the Hunter Pasteur Homes project includes 443 residential units, commercial space and 15 acres of parks and greenspace on 48 acres formerly occupied by the Northville Downs racetrack.
“We've been a long time working towards this groundbreaking,” Northville Mayor Brian Turnbull told a standing room only crowd gathered just outside the site where crews are preparing to begin demolition of the Northville Downs buildings. “My grandparents, my parents used to talk about the Downs, afterwards. This is truly a transformational initiative...not only for Northvillians, but for all in southeastern Michigan.”
The project had previously been reported at $250 million, but at the May 13 event, Turnbull noted the final cost would be approximately $350 million.
U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Ann Arbor, also spoke at the groundbreaking, noting the many elected officials and community representatives in attendance from across the region.
“Everybody's here because this is about the Southeast Michigan community coming together and what's happening here helps all of us,” Dingell said. “Our strength is our unity and when we think like a region, we make a difference. This groundbreaking is the result of tremendous public-private partnerships that have come together in support of this development.”
Dingell said the daylighting of the Rouge River would be one of the “greatest benefits” of the project and would reduce flooding in downstream communities. Daylighting involves removing obstructions around rivers and restoring them to their previous condition.
New riverwalk sections will ultimately link to state trails, as well.
“I have to admit to you, I never hung around at the racetrack, so I probably didn't have the emotional attachment that some did,” Dingell said. “But time moves on, history moves on, and isn't it great to have something that pulls us all together as a region, helps our environment, our water, our leisure? Betting’s good, but leisure time outside is probably even better.”
Although the groundbreaking was set to mark the official start of the project, work at the site began in March with asbestos abatement. Demolition of some of the smaller buildings on the property is underway, with the large racing building to follow soon.
Northville Downs, Michigan's last horseracing track, hosted its final race Feb. 3 after 80 years in business.
Racetrack owners Mike and John Carlo planned to build a new racing facility in Plymouth Township, but talks fell apart after a year of negotiation.
The brothers have filed a lawsuit accusing Plymouth Township of making illegal demands for money in exchange for approval of the plans.
Contact reporter Laura Colvin at lcolvin@hometownlife.com or 248-221-8143.
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This article originally appeared on Hometownlife.com: $350M redevelopment project, 'The Downs,' begins in Northville
