Since a developer was forced to give the land, adjacent to the Michigan State Fairgrounds, back to the state of Michigan, the school district is not willing to bid for the land.

The district had negotiated a deal with a real estate investment trust associated with developer Joe Nederlander to buy the 36 acres for $17 million. The district had planned to build a new high school on 24 acres, and sell the remaining land for $9.5 million to Home Depot which would develop a new store.

However, questions soon arose as to why the state sold the land to Nederlander for only $6 million. Soon questions were brought up as to how the state gave Nederlander a contract for the operation of the fairgrounds as well, without a bid. Nederlander and the state agreed to a settlement last year, with Nederlander pulling out of all land deals with the fairgrounds. The state took back the land, and the state legislators have promised to look into the situation.

Now, Robert Francis, the district director of capital improvements, said the Detroit school system is no longer interested in the site. "Those plans are canceled," Francis told GlobeSt.com. "We were not able to obtain clear title. We have moved onto another plan for a high school, and money has been completely allocated to other projects." He said whoever buys the property from the state may be interested in developing the property.

The land was originally slated to be used for a new hotel, but resident outcry to a proposed racetrack, to be built at the fairgrounds by Nederlander, canceled both projects.

Now, the state is researching how to best use the property. Ferndale and Detroit are also now locked in a battle with the state to remove the three-tiered bridge at the Eight Mile/Woodward Avenue intersection. Eight Mile is historically seen as the split between the white suburbs to the north and the black urban Detroit neighborhoods. The bridge rises as a barrier to both communities, say leaders in both cities, and should be torn down, with new development encouraged at all corners of the intersection.

The Michigan Department of Transportation had plans to spend more than $5 million repairing the 50-year-old bridge. Now the department is awaiting a new director's appointment by the newly elected governor, and all plans are on hold.

Instant Insights /

High School, Big Box Out for Detroit Intersection

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