Resident Gary Greenwell and several Melvindale City Council members expressed concern over Musa Shohatee’s lack of progress on the proposed mixed retail and residential development on the site of the former trailer park in the 17700 block of Dix Road.
By SUE SUCHYTA
Sunday Times Newspapers
MELVINDALE – Following a comment by resident Gary Greenwell, city council members expressed concern over the lack of progress by developer Musa Shohatee of National Construction at a former trailer park site.
The proposed development at the site, in the 17700 block of Dix Road, was first promoted to the City Council on Oct. 17, 2018, as a housing development, but by March 20, 2019, as a mixed development, with retail on the side facing Dix, and 11 houses side facing Clarann Street.
While the old boarding house, long known as “the white house,” was torn down, the property remains undeveloped.
“I would like to know when we are going to do something with this trailer court,” Greenwell said. “That guy’s been there two years, and has not done one thing. I think this guy needs to either sacrifice his deposit or start doing something.”
Mayor Wheeler Marsee said he agreed with Greenwell.
“You know, that property has been a thorn,” he said. “I know that he’s had a lot of setbacks with the property, and we have given him a lot of leeway.”
Councilman Steve Densmore said he thinks the council should take some action.
“Give him a 10-day notice and say we are going to keep his deposit or something, to get that process moved on over there,” he said. “We have given him long enough. I understand frost laws, and I understand COVID is going on, but I think we have been more than fair.”
Densmore suggested that the council revoke Shohatee’s deposit for a lack of progress on the site.
City Attorney Larry Coogan suggested that city officials give Shohatee 10 days to commence the project, after which the deposit would be revoked.
Marsee noted that Coogan confirmed that Shohatee placed a $120,000 deposit on the project. Marsee noted that the property could also revert back to the city.
He said that there has been plenty of construction occurring, even during the pandemic.
“The construction industry has not been hampered because of COVID,” Marsee said. “He (Shoahatee) was just on a Zoom meeting a couple months ago. This property needs to be developed. It’s been a mess ever since we had that building torn down.”
Marsee said if Shohatee has too many projects to handle this one, he should let it go.
“He’s got 10 days to commence the project, so he is going to have to get some equipment over there, he’s going to have to get some building supplies, and he is going to have to commence the project,” he said.
Marsee said the motion would take effect three days from the date of the March 17 council meeting, unless the council waived the right to rescind, which would eliminate the waiting period.
The initial motion passed, with Councilmen Scott Frederick and Joe Jackson opposed.
The council then passed the second motion and waived the right to rescind — delay the motion’s onset — with Jackson and Frederick again opposed.