Nov 2, 2000
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GM may drop Milan rail project Ann Arbor News MILAN TOWNSHIP - General Motors Corp. offered its first sign this week that the will of the people could determine the future of its controversial proposed auto-distribution center. Citing a lack of support from both residents and the incoming board of trustees, GM spokesman Gerald Holmes said the company - through developer Ann Arbor Railroad Properties - allowed options to expire Wednesday on about 850 acres of property that had been earmarked for the project. GM had proposed a facility to truck in vehicles and ship them out by train, involved a total of 1,000 acres off Cone Road near US-23. Up to now, GM has continued to pursue the site, even after a referendum vote in February in which residents rejected the necessary rezoning. Plans had been scaled back recently to appease residents, but company officials said they were still focused on the Milan Township site. Now, Holmes said the developer will look primarily at other sites for the railyard, though he did not say where those sites might be. But to say GM is deserting Milan Township is premature. A month ago, the developer offered to extend all its options for a month and exercised options for those not willing to extend, buying time to gauge reaction to a scaled-down project. Nov. 29 was set as a closing date for the 150 acres on which options were exercised. "Purchases haven't been made," Holmes said. "We'll either go through with it or work something out with the landowners. But we'll probably hold on to it until a final determination is made." That determination could take several months as GM waits for the new township board to "settle in," he said. But the uncertainty unsettles some affected property owners. Gerald Jones and his mother-in-law own nearly 70 acres of land and were counting on the sale at the end of November, he said. "I've already put a down payment on another house," he said. For the past month, Lynette Bordine had been waiting anxiously for the developer to exercise its option to buy her 85 acres. Last month, her option was extended to Nov. 1, but she was told Tuesday that the option wouldn't be exercised. "I'm shocked. I'm upset," she said. "But life goes on." Bordine, who has been a vocal supporter of the project, said the developers likely will have a harder time negotiating with property owners the second time around. Supporters have said the project would bring needed tax revenue and jobs to the township. Opponents have questioned the financial benefit and expressed concerns with traffic, air and light pollution, and general disruption of their rural lifestyle. |
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