By SUE SUCHYTA
Sunday Times Newspapers
LINCOLN PARK – City Council approved a one-time building permit fee reduction June 19 for Ford Motor Co’s. planned $12 to $15 million renovation investment in its Technical Training Center, 25500 Outer Drive.
The one-time reduction in fees for application for a building permit for the proposed renovation and revitalization would reduce the improvement cost and the commercial plan review fees by $2.50 per $1,000 of investment, resulting in an estimated reduction of $60,000 to $75,000 in fees for Ford.
City officials said the renovation will bring new full-time employees to the facility and bring about 250 trainees into the facility every five weeks, whose spending is estimated to have a positive impact on the city’s businesses.
The project also will increase the taxable value of the property, increasing the city’s revenue stream.
Ford indicated that other communities with Ford facilities have instituted building permit fee reductions given the potential positive economic impact on the area.