7/30/14 - Now that a purchase agreement has been finalized, the development possibilities for an old manufacturing site right in the middle of downtown Milford are endless but officials are holding out hope to lure some lodging to the community. The owners of the former TRW manufacturing site, the Milford DDA and the Village worked to try and find a creative solution to differences arising out of a 1999 lawsuit. After more than a decade of complicated negotiations due to contamination, the purchase was finalized earlier this month. The DDA acquired the property for $1 from the Village and no concrete plans have been identified but Director Ann Barnette says the ideal redevelopment venture would be the one thing the community is lacking - an overnight lodging facility. Barnette says the community is walkable and uniquely positioned, completely surrounded by green space and in close proximity to multiple parks and recreation area but also home to the world renowned GM Proving Grounds and full of restaurants and amenities. The site totals 7.5 acres and is adjacent to the upper Mill Pond, between Mill Valley and Prospect Hill. Itâs now mostly vacant as an old manufacturing building there was demolished about ten years ago. The goal was to make reasonable, productive use of the property but also align with the Villageâs future vision for the parcel and address environmental conditions. Barnette says all of the parties wanted to be extremely careful and it just ended up taking a long time to close the deal. Barnette says the purchase has been an incredible ordeal and sheâs thrilled the DDA board had the tenacity to see it through until the end. Since there arenât any holding costs, the DDA will be taking itâs time exploring all potential uses for the site but Barnette says it would take a lot of convincing to give up on the hotel idea. The next step in the process will be a change in the zoning classification from industrial to commercial. (JM)
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