By Adrienne Ziegler
Special Writer
Superior Township is exploring the acquisition of the Superior Liquor Store property on MacArthur Boulevard for use as a possible combination community center and library.
During a Board of Trustees meeting on Sept. 20, township officials authorized their attorneys to explore eminent domain proceedings for the store, which was damaged by arson in July and has not re-opened.
"There's a real defined public benefit or public use that we could be accommodating by acquiring that property," said Township Supervisor William McFarlane. "We've been looking to build one of those or construct one for some time."
But the township may not have to file an eminent domain claim if the store's owners are interested in selling the property to the township, McFarlane said.
Jeffrey Lance Abood, the attorney for ZJM, Inc., the corporation that owns the party store, said they are looking into whether they would sell to the township.
"At this point we're conducting our own private investigation. I'm discussing it with my client, whether this would be an option or not," Abood said. "At this point we want to see what the township has to offer."
Abood said he did not have an estimate of what the building is worth, but that it has several hundred thousand dollars worth of fire damage and a business could not operate out of it as it is.
The Superior Party Store has been a problem area for law enforcement for several years. In late July, arsonists severely damaged the store, and it's been closed ever since. The owners of the property have not done any repairs on the fire-damaged building.
Last year, the store's liquor license was suspended for four months after the Livingston and Washtenaw Narcotics Enforcement Team purchased drugs from employees.
In 2008 and 2009, deputies received reports of shootings and armed robberies in the store's parking lot.
McFarlane said the township would like to use the property as a community center that would allow for a multitude of uses, including as a voting precinct, a small sheriff's station, a library, and community space for Superior Township Parks and Recreation.
Currently, the township has a library room located in the Harris Road Fire Department, but McFarlane said they are in need of additional space.
"It's reported to us that ... young people and residents have to wait a substantial amount of time to access the building because it's so small," he said.
The center could also be used as a home base for deputies working in the area, McFarlane said.
"It would be helpful to have a small police mini-station in the area where the deputies can still have a place to stop, get out, write a report, get back in the car and patrol," he said.
Before the township moves forward with purchasing the property, they will need a certified, valid appraisal of the building.
According to Washtenaw County Records, the taxable value of the property this year is $54,874.00. Money to purchase the property would come from the township's parks fund.
McFarlane said it's too early in the process to know if they would use the existing structure or build an entirely new building, and there is no time frame set for the project yet.
Questions or Comments? Contact Clinton Charles Van Nocker at clint@aboodlaw.com
Special Writer
Superior Township is exploring the acquisition of the Superior Liquor Store property on MacArthur Boulevard for use as a possible combination community center and library.
During a Board of Trustees meeting on Sept. 20, township officials authorized their attorneys to explore eminent domain proceedings for the store, which was damaged by arson in July and has not re-opened.
"There's a real defined public benefit or public use that we could be accommodating by acquiring that property," said Township Supervisor William McFarlane. "We've been looking to build one of those or construct one for some time."
But the township may not have to file an eminent domain claim if the store's owners are interested in selling the property to the township, McFarlane said.
Jeffrey Lance Abood, the attorney for ZJM, Inc., the corporation that owns the party store, said they are looking into whether they would sell to the township.
"At this point we're conducting our own private investigation. I'm discussing it with my client, whether this would be an option or not," Abood said. "At this point we want to see what the township has to offer."
Abood said he did not have an estimate of what the building is worth, but that it has several hundred thousand dollars worth of fire damage and a business could not operate out of it as it is.
The Superior Party Store has been a problem area for law enforcement for several years. In late July, arsonists severely damaged the store, and it's been closed ever since. The owners of the property have not done any repairs on the fire-damaged building.
Last year, the store's liquor license was suspended for four months after the Livingston and Washtenaw Narcotics Enforcement Team purchased drugs from employees.
In 2008 and 2009, deputies received reports of shootings and armed robberies in the store's parking lot.
McFarlane said the township would like to use the property as a community center that would allow for a multitude of uses, including as a voting precinct, a small sheriff's station, a library, and community space for Superior Township Parks and Recreation.
Currently, the township has a library room located in the Harris Road Fire Department, but McFarlane said they are in need of additional space.
"It's reported to us that ... young people and residents have to wait a substantial amount of time to access the building because it's so small," he said.
The center could also be used as a home base for deputies working in the area, McFarlane said.
"It would be helpful to have a small police mini-station in the area where the deputies can still have a place to stop, get out, write a report, get back in the car and patrol," he said.
Before the township moves forward with purchasing the property, they will need a certified, valid appraisal of the building.
According to Washtenaw County Records, the taxable value of the property this year is $54,874.00. Money to purchase the property would come from the township's parks fund.
McFarlane said it's too early in the process to know if they would use the existing structure or build an entirely new building, and there is no time frame set for the project yet.
Questions or Comments? Contact Clinton Charles Van Nocker at clint@aboodlaw.com
