By ZEINAB NAJM
Times-Herald Newspapers
HEIGHTS — The Wayne County Commission unanimously approved the sale of the Warren Valley Golf Course and Banquet Center to the city of Dearborn Heights on Nov. 2.
“The purchase is an excellent thing for the city because they now control the asset and can avoid development on the property along with environmental disasters,” said County Commissioner Diane Webb (D-Livonia), who represents Dearborn Heights. “It’s a beautiful green space and park for Wayne County residents. I’m very pleased with that the city purchase it because it’s a jewel.”
The talks began in March when the city stepped in to purchase the $1.8 million golf course and banquet hall after Delta Management Co. was interested in building a 100- to 200-house gated community.
Town hall meetings were held about the sale of the golf course where residents opposed development of houses near the Rouge River flood plain.
“I’m happy the residents and organizations spoke out against the development by attending meetings along with sending 2,000 letters,” Webb said. “I appreciate the mayor and city stepping up to protect the golf course for generations in the future.”
The review process by the commissioners began in June and ended after the city council unanimously passed a resolution on Oct. 24.
“I am very excited about this opportunity,” Mayor Dan Paletko said in a press release. “It was a great cooperative effort between the Dearborn Heights and Wayne County. The commission has been so helpful in giving me guidance to make this happen and it was a good cooperative spirit that got it done.”
Under the agreement, the city will pay $1.8 million for 34 of the 36 holes on the 250-acre golf course. There is a 30-year renewable leasing option for the other two holes at the cost of $1. The sale is expected to be effective within 30 days.
Wayne County, which owned the golf course, put it up for sale after it said the course and banquet hall was losing money.
During a Sept. 26 meeting, Paletko said he reviewed financials provided by the county with the current operator and expects at least $90,000 to $100,000 in revenue from the golf course and banquet hall.
The 255-acre Warren Valley Golf Course, 26116 W. Warren, was designed by Scottish golf architect Donald Ross in 1922 and features two 18-hole courses.
It also includes a clubhouse with a pro shop, the Ross Room Bar & Grille and a full-banquet center that can accommodate up to 300 people for events.
(Zeinab Najm can be reached at [email protected].)