Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud (fifth from left) speaks about the acquisition of Fordson Island property from the State Land Bank during the Aug. 13 mayor’s briefing to the city council.
By SUE SUCHYTA
Times-Herald Newspapers
DEARBORN – The city council approved the acquisition of Fordson Island property from the State Land Bank for $1 as part of its consent agenda during the April 18 city council meeting.
The meeting, which was overshadowed by the anti-Muslim protests led by political agitator Jake Lane, was held at the Henry Ford Centennial Library.
The property acquisition was discussed during the Aug. 13 mayoral briefing to the city council, which was held at the Dearborn Administration Center.
The authorization lets city officials complete the environmental, title, survey, inspection and closing activities needed to accept conveyance of the property.
The acquisition of the 0.986 acres consists of 12 parcels on Riverside Drive on Fordson Island, which is southeast of the Dix Avenue bridge and northwest of the Oakwood Boulevard bridge. The parcels are primarily along the western side of the island, which is a six-acre site in the Rouge River, less than two miles from the Detroit River.
While the purchase expands and consolidates the city’s existing ownership of the island, it does not transfer entire ownership of the land to the city.
By acquiring the property, the city of Dearborn is better poised to pursue environmental restoration, habitat improvements, public access, passive recreation, infrastructure improvements and other community-serving uses.
The city will be working with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy to pursue Brownfield site assessment funding, which is a step needed for environmental due diligence prior to closing.