Blissfield Candidates Answer Questions About Development

There’s a lot we don’t know about the old Home Canning property, which was bought by Blissfield Village, with the help of some friends, for about $156,000 in April. We don’t know how much it will cost to tear down the old buildings. We don’t know how much any environmental cleanup might cost. We don’t know if there is enough demand to fill the 35 acre site with industry. We don’t know what it would cost to build and industrial park there. We don’t know if the village voters will ever greenlight the idea of a new village hall or a DPW  somewhere on site.

What we do know is that the next Blissfield Village Council will begin to start answering these questions. So we thought we’d start our 2010 Blissfield Village election coverage by asking the candidates what they want to see there, and just how they might arrive at said destination.

But first, a little background.

We can tell you that Blissfield Village Council gave the former property owners until 11:59 p.m. Monday to vacate the site. We can also tell you that Phase 1 and Phase II environmental studies have been conducted on the site, and that nothing overly concerning showed up. There are four ponds that once were used to dispose of treated tomato and pumpkin waste. The ponds and a couple unidentified containers will be investigated. There is also an underground storage tank on site.

There is no official plan for the site, however, it was said at the time of the purchase that the village wanted room for industrial expansion. If the property is developed and sold for private use, a brownfield redevelopment authority could be used to help fund the project. 

Wilson Backhoe estimated that the demolition would cost anywhere from $225,000 to $250,000. But it was a very preliminary estimate. The village believes that any investments made in the property can be recouped when the property is sold. The village obtained the property during an April auction, bidding $150,000 for the property. e partners are George Brown, who is a trustee on Blissfield Village Council, has contributed $50,000 to the project. Pat Farver, through Farver Investments, LLC., has invested $25,000. Farver is owner of Blissfield Manufacturing. Mark Dobronski, through Blissfield Industrial Properties, LLC, invested $50,000 in the project. Dobronski is president of the Adrian & Blissfield Railroad.

In the near future, the village and Michigan Economic Development Corporation will visit the site. The village hopes to obtain a blight grant to help with costs.

Here are the questions of your candidates:

Describe what you would like to see the old Home Canning property look like in 10 years.

Jae Guetschow

For the near term, demolition and clean-up needs to occur. We have stared at deteriorating buildings for many years. For the mid to long term, I would like to see expansion of the industrial park for most of the property with commercial development along the more visible part of US-223 and Jefferson St. I believe Blissfield will need to have both types available to potential business and industry; especially retail business as the Main Street program succeeds in filling empty space in the downtown. Certainly space for a new village office and moving the DPW from downtown should also be considered.

Mike Gunter

We need to be creative and come up with something that other communities around us don't offer with this property.  The property was originally looked at by the village as the future site of another industrial park.  I would like to see a research and development park.  With Michigan's economy being the way it is, we have to come up with new and inventive ideas, with a stress on new technologies and a new way to market ourselves.  This sort of development has the potential to bring in new jobs, a higher tax base, and more opportunity for the village.

Mark Burgermeister

The Home Canning property in 10 years will be demolished and cleaned up.  Possibly all infrastructure established.

For this to happen, a specific plan must be in place to utilize the property for the best interest of the Village.  There may be plans for a Village Facility also within this location.

Andrea Cueto

In 10 years, (or sooner, if financially possible) I would like to see the canning factory property be the site for a new Village Office and Police Station, with the DPW facilities moved over there as well, towards the back Eastern side.  On the Western part of the property, I would love to see a multipurpose recreation facility similar to Pacesetter Park, which could be the new, permanent home for our recreation soccer, and football programs.

A. Ray Jones

The village has a great opportunity with the purchase of the 35 acres to spearhead both some commerical and business development.I would like to see a mix of light industrial and research/development type businesses.I believe there is a potential for relocation of the DPW complex,and possibly even an expansion of some limited residential improvements. The existing railroad and US223 are very attractive attributes that with the right marketing should be strong selling points.

With the ethanol plant,on going development by Bio Dri and possible wind energy generation Blissfield has the opportunity to market itself as a Green Belt area and the Home Canning property is ideal for that potential growth. 

Art Weeber

The old Home Canning property is a great opportunity for Blissfield. We

have 35 acres to work with. Some options:

  -Village Hall

  -DPW Site

  -High-tech businesses

  -Low-impact manufacturing

  -Be open to other options

Describe what Blissfield Village Council can do to make that vision happen.

Guetschow

Council will be applying for a grant to, hopefully, cover most of the demolition costs. We will soon begin the planning process with, perhaps, some engineering/architectural renderings that will give us some insight for laying out the property for development. Council is considering doing some superficial clean-up around Make-A-Difference Day to remove some materials that are most visible. Once demolition, clean-up and initial engineering is complete, the Village can begin marketing the availability so we can determine infrastructure needs.

Gunter

Village Council has the opportunity to do the planning and development of the infrastructure of the property.  Selling off pieces of the property will help us be able to install any roads or utilities to suit the needs of the developers.  Council can also create plans to include sustainable elements that are attractive to the businesses and to fit in with the idea that we can be leaders in technology and development.  The village should be pro-active in seeking out the type of business that we are looking to have locate here, and we also have the opportunity to provide limited tax breaks to those businesses as an incentive to move here.

Burgermeister

Making this happen will be a tall order.  Hopefully in 10 years the economy will turn around and the Capitol Improvement Fund will replenish after purchase and clean up has been completed.  There may also be funding through Economic Development Grants or Federal and State funding options.

Cueto

First of all, be open to that possibility, and not view that property as strictly only being developed as industrial.  Secondly, continue their practice of setting so much money aside every year for the future funding of the new Village Hall.  I do understand there's not much extra money in our budget, especially with this economy, and that we have a pretty bare-bones budget as is.  So I think we should continue to seek alternative funding such as grants or private donations as well.  Maybe Bio-dri would consider funding a part of the sports complex aspect, considering the future tax abatements they will be receiving.

Jones

I believe the council in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce should and can be the driving force through marketing and possible tax incentives to peak interest both outside Blissfield, and even within our own community to see the subject property developed. 

Weeber

Develop a plan and carefully work with that plan to assure a positive development.

When, if ever, is it acceptable for the village to buy private property and what things should be considered when doing so?

Guetschow

Unfortunately, a previous administration failed to take the opportunity to acquire the property directly from Home Canning, so we are behind the eight-ball now with resources being tight during the current economic downturn. Council must be progressive, if not innovative, when such opportunities present themselves and consider the impact. Had private investment alone become a reality, then the Village would not need to acquire private property. Council must consider the needs of the community and look toward the future. 

Gunter  

It is acceptable for the village to purchase private property when there is potential or opportunity for the betterment of the town.  We need to think both short and long-term when considering the possibilities, and be open to the idea that although it may not provide a quick-return on our investment, with the proper planning and development we have the opportunity to create something huge with minimal spending.  Considerations should be taken to ensure that any purchase is going to be financially responsible to the taxpayers of the village.

Burgermeister

Private property could be purchased if a need should arise.  Before purchase, criteria should be established.

    1.  Location.

    2.  Will this property benefit the Village. 

    3.  Business plan in place for property.

    4.  Finally economically feasible.

Cueto

I feel it is acceptable for the Village to purchase "private property" when it has the possibility to become an asset to the village.  The canning factory property was the #1 choice of location for the new Village Office.  As much as I hate to see that historic building come down, it has increasingly become an eyesore for our Village, and doesn't create a very positive first impression.  It also takes care of the fact that those buildings have been in violation of our ordinances for many years.  A main consideration for this purchase was obtaining it at a fair market price, and the invitation of accepting money from private investors goes along with the Michigan Main Street philosophy of (literally) having our residents become share holders in our Villages' future.

Jones

It certainly is acceptable if the property becomes available and there is a real need for additional space in the village being owned by the village.

Weeber

In appropriate situations, where Blissfield's future can be significantly impacted. The DDA has the authority to purchase land within its district to upgrade and sell to potential businesses.

Are there any other properties in Blissfield Village should purchase to help in development? Please identify them, how they can be developed, and discuss the necessity of public investment.

Guetschow

The short answer is, "Yes," though I believe it would be premature to speculate on what those properties might be at  this time.  There are opportunities for a public/private investment that would serve commercial interests as well as  some needs of the Village. Further, considering the commitment to improving the former Home Canning property, the concept of a public/private collaboration may be the only possibility for additional purchases of property any time soon.  Again, Council must be innovative and consider the long range impact of a failure to take action.

Gunter

 I do believe that we need to work on making our downtown more viable, and I feel that the village has a place in making that happen.  Purchasing a vacant downtown building could give the village the chance to control what type of business we are looking to bring into the area.  I feel that we need a good anchor store in the downtown, something that both residents and non-residents can utilize.  I am not advocating that this is something we should do right now, but if there were a need for the village to purchase more property, this is the area I would recommend.  I do not feel that we need to purchase any more vacant land at this time.

Burgermeister

The development of property is high dollar investment.  In the Village of Blissfield, I am sure there are numerous parcels that could be purchased for development.  I feel that after the previous council purchased the laundromat property (adjacent to Ellis Park) and the current council purchased the Home Canning property, economically speaking the Village's plate is full.  

I feel the necessity of public investment with any type of government is a gray area.  In my opinion the final outcome could development into a misfortunate situation between all parties involved.

Cueto

Another property in town I would love to see the Village obtain is the old Odd Fellow's Hall.  Besides being another very visible property that needs help, the possibilities of this building are endless.  We have been throwing around the idea of a Village Community Center and a Theater for the Arts for years.  This building could house both and more!  There is a definite need for public investment with this building because of the amount of interior work that would need to be done on it.  It would be ideal to find a famous patron of the Arts like Jeff Daniels, who would have the desire as well as the type of income that would be necessary for such a revitalization project. 

Jones

I believe properties such as the Smith triangle at US 223 and Maple (former gas station) under certain conditions if available should be acquired if only to improve the overall appearance of the village.

Weeber

Possibly the Odd Fellows Hall could be purchased. I believe these projects should be pursued only if taxes are not increased.