Algonac residents air concerns about housing project 

Many opposed to possible Brownfield Development 

By Barb Pert Templeton

A recent meeting of the Algonac City Council included many community members stepping up to the microphone to be heard during public comments. 

A majority of the individuals wanted to express their concerns about plans for housing utilizing the Brownfield Redevelopment Financing Act for a proposed development by Corcat Properties, LLC. 

The developer’s plan, unveiled in July, calls for the construction of 52 single-family homes, ranging from 1,287 to 1,526 square feet on approximately 19.346 acres at Mill and State Streets. 

As the homes are built, the St. Clair County Brownfield Redevelopment Act would capture the increase in property taxes and reimburse the developer for infrastructure costs. The total project investment is estimated to be $18 million dollars. 

The current taxable value of the vacant property is $156,370, if the project takes place the city will continue to annually receive the same amount of taxes as it does currently, approximately $2,024, for 24 years. 

In year 25, the Future Taxable Value of the property is estimated to be $8,561,500, at which time city will start collecting approximately $129,277 + $2,024 or $131,301 annually.

At the Aug. 20 council meeting nearly a dozen people stepped to the microphone during public comments to express their concerns for the plan.

Cindy Smith, president of the Algonac Housing Commission, was the first to be heard. 

“I guess I’m going to be the complainer again as noted in your minutes from last meeting, that’s how they categorized me discussing my concerns about the Brownfield Project, so I will complain again about it,” Smith said. “And I still don’t agree with it. We are still losing all of our millage money and the property taxes for that which most of us won’t even see or benefit from.”

“The rest of us will now be paying higher taxes and higher millages so that we can support those 52 homes for 25 years,” Smith added.

Algonac resident and Blue Water Healthy Living employee Eileen Tesch told the council that she recently attended a St. Clair County Commission meeting to talk about the Brownfield Development. She said County Commissioner Steven Simasko asked her if she knew anything about the plan for the Algonac property. 

Tesch’s concerns were the fact that she was told the idea for the Brownfield Project came from the developer. She also referred to a similar project in Detroit where tax monies for the schools seemed to have been put in jeopardy. 

“I don’t know all the details of Brownfield Development I just know that the people aren’t happy, the ones that I spoke to on Smith Street,” Tesch said, noting the developer told her she didn’t know what she was talking about which she characterized as “nothing new.”

“What disturbs me is that you voted unanimously for this Brownfield Project and now you’re seeing it for the first time?” Tesch asked. “We know you love this city as much as we do but why are you making this decision for a Brownfield Development? Where are the businesses, where are the attractions to bring the people to our city?”

Another woman stepped up to say that her mother built a 1,400 square foot home in Algonac last year and has to pay $4,000 annually now for taxes. She said she didn’t see how it’s fair that the homes under the Brownfield Project would get their taxes deferred. If they can’t afford it, they shouldn’t build it, she added.

Council weighs in on comments

During the council comments portion of the meeting members took time to express their concerns. 

“I appreciate everybody here and just because sometimes we have different opinions it doesn’t mean we have to hate each other,” City Councilman Michael Bembas said. “It’s good that there’s different opinions, because if everybody thought the same then there’s something wrong with that and we need to hear from you, your ideas.”

Bembas said regarding the 24-year tax abetment for homes in a possible Brownfield Development people must remember that the developer is going to be doing everything there to make sure it all works. The roads, buildings and all the infrastructure projects. 

“Then after the 24-years we make all that money back,” Bembas said. “And if it didn’t happen, we would never have gotten that money; we triple our investment in 24 years and that’s better than what you can do on the stock market today.”

Couniclman Ed Carter reminded everyone that there will be many meetings yet before a decision will be made on a Brownfield Development.

Councilwoman Dawn Davey thanked all the residents for coming to the meeting and assured them that she has been on their side of the table speaking out on issues many times and has even busted a few chops along the way.

“When he hits his gavel, come up here, there’s no question that any of you have that I’m not going to answer,” Davey said. “I try to make sure that I have a clue and if I don’t have a clue, I’ll find it out.”

Councilwoman Cathy Harris thanked everyone for coming and said she appreciates that despite her having a different opinion she can still speak out at the council table without anyone getting upset.

Mayor Pro Tem Ray Martin said he wanted to thank everyone for their attention and input at the meeting. 

Councilman Dale Williams said it was nice to see people standing up to speak about the topic and he was looking forward to talking to residents about their concerns after the meeting.

Mayor Rocky Gillis said he was pleased to see everyone at the meeting as well. He reminded everyone that there will be many more meetings before a decision regarding a Brownfield Development is okayed in the city. 

“We all live in this community too,” Gillis said. “I’m raising a child in this community he’s nine, we are not here to do anything that’s going to be detrimental to the community, believe me, we can disagree that’s okay but we can all talk.”