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

Vacant Service Merchandise to be Cleared to Make Room for New Fire Station and Future Development

Westland, MI - The Tax Increment Finance Authority (TIFA) has awarded a contract to demolish the service merchandise building to Wayne County based Berkshire Development. The service merchandise building has been vacant for over 15 years, and its demolition will pave the way for future development.

The service merchandise building is located on Nankin Boulevard in the same lot that the new Ralph Savini Fire Station is being constructed. The long-vacant building, once demolished, is expected to be split-off and sold for development.

"We're putting on our hard-hats this summer and going to work in Westland," said Mayor Wild. "This blighted vacant building was a painful reminder of the past, and now with a new fire station and this building being demolished for future development, we can look to the future."

Berkshire Development placed the lowest bid, and the cost for demolition will not exceed $89,998. The Dearborn-based company has completed similar projects throughout southeast Michigan, and has worked with Westland's Community Development Department previously. Their contract will begin on June 30 for a 60 day period.

This project is part of a comprehensive revitalization of the state's 10th largest city. The City of Westland currently has over $20 million in new public projects under way which include a new city hall, fire station, farmers market and several road, sewer and park improvements.

"These public reinvestment will be leveraged to attract additional private sector investments," said Mayor Wild.

The Service Merchandise Building, located at 7365 Nankin Blvd.

For more information, please contact Aubrey Berman, Administrative Secretary (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".