Widespread Romulus growth mirrors activity at airport

Detroit Metropolitan Airport's new mile-long, $1.2 billion Edward H. McNamara Terminal is getting a lot of attention lately.

But host city Romulus, not to be outdone, has been growing and developing much like the airport.

The 36-square-mile city, with more than 23,000 residents, has upwards of 8,600 households and an additional 1,700 to 2,000 homes on the way, in addition to a major mixed-use development across I-94 from the airport.

"Things are going well," Community Development Director Richard Marsh said. "Still, a lot of the reason for that is the availability of the land and the cost of the land, but that's changing

"And an important part of this is we are able to preserve a lot of the green space, working with developers to keep the community in balance."

There are a lot of other manufacturing and commercial businesses coming into town, too, he said. Two businesses have come into town this year with more than 1,000 jobs and $60 million of investment. There are also four new warehouses on the east side of the city, he said, accounting for another $40 million in investments.

The single largest development on tap is a project called Vining Park, a $125 million development in the planning stages by the Nemer Property Group of Southfield. The 80-acre development will be used for offices, restaurants, hotel space, research centers and distribution facilities.

Marsh said Kojaian Builders recently bought 311 acres near the Nemer project for a mixed-use development with office, retail and high tech.

There are a number of subdivisions under way as well:

• Creekside Estates, a subdivision with 78 homes planned starting in the 170s between Middlebelt and Merriman on Pennsylvania. Call 1-313-793-8643 or visit www.creeksideestates.net for more information.
• The Commons subdivision is on Hannan between Ecorse and Tyler Roads, and is built with much of the natural woods intact for a rural setting. The 179-home sub has existing homes built and starts from the mid-$100,000s. The Commons' office can be reached at 1-734-641-1120, or visit www.newhomenetwork.com/cgi-bin/homes.
• The Farms, a 44-home sub at Cogswell between Ecorse and Wick, start at $169,900 and are fully landscaped. For more information, log on to www.csi-mich.com/ or call 1-734-454-9586.
• Huron Valley Subdivision is yet another sub of single family homes with 73 homes at Hannan and Barth, starting at $179,900. The sub is next to Barth Elementary School and across the street from Lower Huron MetroPark. For more information contact First Horizon Homes at 1-248-223-4372.
• The Fairways at Gateway is a multiple housing project with 661 units planned at Van Born and Beverly. It includes condos, town homes and single-family homes with an 18-hole community golf course and is now open. Gateway homes and condominiums are starting in the high $100s. The newly constructed Romulus Elementary, open this fall, is on the site.

For more information contact Startford Homes, LLC at 1-248-926-9727, Italo-American Benivegna Master Builders, LLC at 1-248-788-7100, and Chippewa Homes/Gateway Condominium Co. LLC at 1-734-692-2532. You can also visit the Gateway Golf Club's web site at www.gatewaygolfclub.org

• The Highlands of Romulus is a 430-home condo and townhouse project at Pennsylvania between Middlebelt and Inkster roads featuring condos starting at $159,990 and townhouses starting at $159,000.

For more information contact LKV Group at 1-248-755-2910 or visit www.newhomenetwork.com/cgi-bin/homes/.

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