Farmington Officials Approve Corridor Improvement Authority

After months of meetings and public hearings, Farmington officials have approved a major economic redevelopment tool for a major community thoroughfare.

The Corridor Improvement Authority (CIA) will ultimately include properties along Grand River from Eight Mile Road in Farmington Hills to Mayfield Avenue in Farmington. Because the roadway cuts through both cities, each will form its own CIA board, and the two boards will work together to encourage more businesses to locate in that area.

At Monday's Farmington City Council meeting, a resolution to establish the Grand River Corridor Improvement Authority passed unanimously. Farmington Hills council members held their pubic hearing on the CIA last week; they'll take action similar to Farmington's in October.

Council member Michael Wiggins wondered what would happen if Hills officials failed to pass their resolution.

"I still think it's worth going forward," City Manager Vince Pastue said, adding that council members "could rescind this with a resolution, and that would put an end to the project."

"I'm just very thankful we have a chance to share this joint project with Farmington Hills, because it will open up economic development opportunities along the Grand River corridor," council member JoAnne McShane said.

"And when we talk about economic development," Mayor Tom Buck added, "we're talking about jobs and having that corridor have a nice appearance so businesses will want to locate there. That's what this program is all about."

Pastue said an ordinance and bylaws will come before City Council members later this year or early next year. Ultimately, members of the CIA board will be appointed by city officials; the majority must own a business or have interest in property within the corridor.