By SUE SUCHYTA
Sunday Times Newspapers
WYANDOTTE – The City Council authorized City Engineer Mark Kowalewski to seek new residential proposals by Jan. 9 for the former McKinley School site, 640 Plum St., a Planned Development District.
Kowalewski also was authorized to return the bid bond/bid check for the previous bid to Coachlight Properties LLC.
The intent of a Planned Development District is to permit development in accord with the goals and objectives of the city’s master plan, which designates that homes, whether single-family or condominium projects, be developed for owner occupants as opposed to rental units.
Councilman Ted Miciura said at the Oct. 10 council meeting that he would oppose any bid proposals for rental units.
The resolution included the requirement that the request for bids for the property development be listed in out-of-state publications and posted on the real estate Multiple Listing Service at the suggestion of Councilman Daniel Galeski, to expose the project to more potential bidders.
Galeski, Miciura and Councilwoman Sheri Sutherby-Fricke said a park in the neighborhood was a priority for them in the new bid proposal, so the city will keep the land north of the school, on the parcels that were once part of Cherry Street, and north to the property boundary, as a park for the neighborhood, excluding it from the bid proposal.
Proposals for the former elementary school may be to rehabilitate the current building, or remove it and redevelop the site for owner-occupied residential use.
The city will consider only taxable entities.
The building, which is currently vacant, is being sold “as is,” without any expressed or implied warranty. The city also assumed no responsibility for environmental conditions, including the existing underground portion of the property.
A Phase I Environmental Assessment for the property has been completed, and is on file in the city’s Engineering and Building Department.
(Sue Suchyta can be reached at [email protected].)