Airport's host city abuzz with construction, too

By Gary Gosselin

Detroit Metropolitan Airport's $1.6 billion in improvements tend to overshadow the efforts of its host city, but one look at the drawing board and it's evident that Romulus is taking off, too.

"People are discovering what has always been here," said Richard Marsh, community development director. "We always have had our own identity, but more people are beginning to realize that Romulus is the hidden treasure it always was."

Preparation for the construction of no less than 700 home sites is underway, Marsh said, including the 661-unit Legacy Golf Estates, surrounding an 18-hole golf course at Van Born and Merriman roads, and The Farms subdivision, a 44-acre, 130-home development on Cogswell between Ecorse and Wick roads.

The Legacy Golf Estates development will include 363 single family homes, 194 duplex units and 92 quadplex units. The housing will surround the golf course and the project is expected to be completed within the next two years.

Marsh said there are three or four other proposed residential developments planned for Romulus, and some of those may even break ground this year.

Three hotels - Hilton Gardens, Motel 6 and a Red Roof Inn - also are under construction, he said, and the vacant Kelsey-Hayes property on the west side of the city has been acquired by Trident Properties for redevelopment as a manufacturing/warehousing facility.

"I anticipate 1999 to surpass the numbers that we've had in past years," Marsh said about development investment. He noted that in 1996, investment was $23 million; in 1997, it was $44 million; and last year, it topped $50 million.

Marsh said several major corporations acquired land last year, and may start development this year.

The airport expansion, in conjunction with an anticipated ring road around the airport, is already starting to be a big draw in the southern end of the community, Marsh said.

"What you're going to see over the next two to three years is more acquisition at the south of the airport," Marsh said. "And once you get that airport expansion project open (in 2001), that will make that land extremely desirable."

Land costs have probably doubled in Romulus in the last five years or so, Marsh said, but prices are still a bargain when compared with other developing areas.

In order to further develop quality of life opportunities for citizens, Marsh said city officials are discussing a joint plan with school officials to build a community center with swimming pools, a banquet hall and a number of recreational activities.

It's too soon, he said, to discuss specifics about size and location.

Marsh acknowledged that all is not rosy, citing the delays on the proposed $50 million Metro World Centre outlet mall complex and housing development across I-94 from the airport.

He said he's not sure why the project is not moving forward at this time. But he did mention the city is aggressively pursuing retail development for that site.

He also noted that Romulus must be prepared in the next decade or less to see a gradual transformation from a rural to an urban setting.

"These changes are coming and we have to be prepared for this development boom," Marsh said. "That is something we're going to have to deal with."

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