For Immediate Release | Official Press Release

PRESS RELEASE

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR

36601 Ford Road | Westland, Michigan | 48185

Office 734.467.3200 | Fax 724.721.2310

WWW.CITYOFWESTLAND.COM

Nine Blighted Structures to be Removed from Historical Norwayne District

Westland, MI - At the Westland City Council Meeting on December 15, The City Council approved a bid for the demolition of 9 vacant, blighted properties in the NorWayne neighborhood.

The administration recommended splitting the bid between Leadhead Construction to demolish seven properties totaling $36,480 and Berkshire Development to demolish two properties totaling $17,450. The recommendation was based on the lowest qualifying bids as well as past experience with the bidders.

Funds for the demolition will come from the city's Community Development Block Grant Section 108 Loan Program.

Constructed in 1942, the NorWayne neighborhood is Westland's oldest subdivision. It was erected during World War II to house the employees of the Willow Run Bomber Plant and during its peak was home to over 20,000 residents. On July 9, 2013, the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior listed the NorWayne Historic District in the National Register of Historic Places, which is the nation's official list of cultural resources worthy of preservation

The properties that will be demolished are 33810 Casco Ct., 2612 Cascade, 31502 Alpena, 31808 Shiawassee, 32321 Kalamazoo, 33385-87 Belding, 2018-20-22-24 Edgerton and 32459-61 Muskegon.

For more information, contact Aubrey Berman, Administrative Secretary,

at (734) 467-3200.

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The City of Westland is the 10th largest city in Michigan with a population of over 84,000. The city's residential development is an excellent blend of single family homes, apartments and condominiums. The broad selection of housing opportunities is complimented by over 1500 acres of well-maintained parks and nature trails as well as a highly rated municipal golf course. Also available is a skate park, ice arena, a state-of-the-art Library and novel city park themes that are fun and family-friendly.

Westland has the location, land, infrastructure, and leadership, under Mayor William R. Wild to attract new industry and help existing businesses redevelop properties and to maintain competitiveness in today's global economy. Six modern platted industrial parks on 320 acres are served by class "A" internal roads, with up to date utilities and rail access available within two of the parks. Westland is conveniently located within the center of southeastern Michigan's expressway system, minutes north of Detroit Metropolitan Airport, and ideally located between downtown Detroit and Ann Arbor.

Westland is the area's premier "Shopping and Dining Destination". Westland Shopping center, one of the country's original four regional malls, boasts 80 retail stores and has anchored Westland's commercial district for more than 30 years. Westland's diversity and progressive planning offers residents a wide variety of life experiences, and make Westland truly the "All American City".