We avoided posting this story because it happened before the HBA was formed – but because of the ongoing impact of the loss of both Walmart and Menards, we believe the Menards story must be referenced – indicative of the business environment at the time of HBA formation.
Menards first tried to come to Hartland on a site west of US 23 – but their proposed project didn’t fit because of the contour of the property – the back of the store would have been underground. They pursued another variation of this project on property in the Ramco-Gershenson development next to Meijers; over some considerable period of time they attempted to obtain required approvals. As a result of continuous demands for changes that didn’t fit Menard’s business plan, including objections regarding their outdoor but covered lumber-yard, Hartland lost what most likely is its last shot at a home-improvement retailer; Menards is now beautifully located in Novi.
As one approaches Menard’s large Novi store, one’s most immediate reaction is “What A Shame!”, because this retail store so obviously would have been a huge benefit to the residents of Hartland.
Our private sources have heard firsthand many reasons for this situation, from Supervisor Fountain and Planning Commission Chair Fox, with numerous comments such as:
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They didn’t really want to come to Hartland,
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We can’t do that to the two residential units adjoining the appropriately zoned commercial property
- and the killer reason
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They are not retail – they should be considered Light Industrial!
As a result, the entire Ramco project may well be in jeopardy – because all of the investment in infrastructure – sewer, water, roads, etc. went in at the beginning, when Meijers went in. Millions more were contributed by Ramco for the relocation of Hartland Road and the multi-lane expansion of M-59. To date, the only addition to the shopping center has been a single, tiny Taco Bell.
Now, in May of 2017, this looks particularly bad, since the only project to come along since Taco Bell is a proposed Emagine movie theater – which now contends that in order to succeed, it requires a significant tax abatement. Movie theatres are a risky investment these days – and no wonder the lenders are being cautious. But now the Township is being asked to subsidize this project to the tune of nearly $450,000 in abated taxes.