What Could Bloomfield Park Become?
Our Visions for Vacancies series asks about the possibilities for Bloomfield Township's biggest commercial availability . . . and community eyesore.
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Earlier this week, we told you about the foreclosure rights for the long-vacant Bloomfield Park property finally going on sale after a protracted legal battle.
According to the legal settlement between Bloomfield Township, Pontiac and the developers — which still has pending issues on appeal unrelated to the sale — the property can't just become anything. Though the initial deal for the 700,000 square-feet that included mixed commercial, retail and residential space floundered, the Oakland County Circuit Court ruling stipulates that parameters negotiated in 2002 must still be followed.
Like casinos? Sorry. The deal specifically prohibits casinos and similar gaming facilities, as well as adult entertainment and cell towers, documents show.
And don't worry about a 'green' company trying to build wind turbines, or a hotel magnate looking to build high-rises. Only one hotel is allowed on the property, and building can't be more than 8 stories tall, and even less in certain zones.
Visions for a Major Vacancy
Enough about what it can't be.
Readers on the Bloomfield-Bloomfield Hills Patch Facebook Page expressed thier ideas for the land and the opportunity for a significant economic enhancement to the area.
"I'd love to see Automation Alley and Oakland Country partner with any new buyer to incubate new business and foster new innovation," reader Dino Baskovic wrote. "Could be quite a tech boon for the region."
Bloomfield-Bloomfield Hills Patch wants to know: Do you agree? If not, what's your vision for this property?
You don't need to be a commercial developer or city planner — or have money to invest in a business project — to have the next great idea. We just want to hear about it. Please leave your ideas in the comments section below.
This is part of an occasional series; we're excited to hear about your ideas for vacant spaces around town.
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Bert Copple
8:31 am on Sunday, February 3, 2013
Florida has Disney World. California has Disney Land. We'll take Disney Town.
Sherry Wiggins-Baker
8:48 am on Sunday, February 3, 2013
Complex for Google or Apple. Educational Complex with a conglomerate of schools like Wayne, Oakland & Michigan State Universities. Health & Wellness Center.
Marcia Robovitsky
9:19 am on Sunday, February 3, 2013
I like the tech idea that goes along with the Automation Alley promotion... Heard chatter/ rumor that a Chinese auto parts company is thinking about the property. If they hire American workers....great! Maybe if all the 90 acres aren't needed by them, other auto tech / supply shops could build there, too. Add a hotel for visitors, supporting restaurants, pharmacy & small grocery store.
Of course, most of those 90 acres are in Pontiac.
Sherry Wiggins-Baker
12:18 pm on Sunday, February 3, 2013
I think there would be a work around the issue of most of the property being in Pontiac. Natural park like infrastructure combined with business offerings to maximize usage and provision of services for the citizens. Not to mention....jobs for the people.
Neal Charness
11:05 am on Sunday, February 3, 2013
It's fairly ironic that most of the acreage is in Pontiac because they annexed it when the developer and Bloomfield Township were at odds. This is one very star crossed site.