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A
SSOCIATED
N
EWSPAPERS OF
M
ICHIGAN
P
AGE
6
July 26, 2012
R
OMULUS
- W
ESTLAND
Hazardous waste wells could reopen this year
License transfer for
Landing Stip is delayed
The controversial hazardous
waste injection wells in Romulus
could be open again by the end of
the year.
Tim Keyes, economic develop-
ment director for the city, said the
ownership of the site has officially
been transferred to Environmental
Geo-Technologies (EGT), LLC. The
site earned a new permit from the
Environmental Protection Agency
earlier this year.
“It does not give them the right to
operate, yet,” saidKeyes.
The community has fought the
issue formore than two decades and
earned a temporary reprieve after
the wells were forced to shut down
due to safety concerns. EGT pur-
chased the wells, which are located
off Citron Drive, west of Inkster
Road and south of I-94, last year and
applied for the new permit, which
was granted because all the proper
procedures hadbeen followed.
Neil Silver, the lead attorney on
the issue, said there are still proce-
dures that need to be followed
before the wells can be operational
again. He sent a letter in February
to the state outlining several risk fac-
tors that city engineers and public
safety officials had regarding the re-
opening of the site.
“The state has indicated that all
of our concerns would be part of any
re-opening and will be required as
certification by their private engi-
neer,” saidSilver.
The owners will have to adopt
more stringent testing requirements,
purchase several hundred thousand
dollars in new equipment and
install the newdevices correctly.
“That equipment is not even on
site yet,” said Silver. “It will take a
long time to get delivered.”
Once it's delivered it has to be
installed, then certified, then notice
will be issued to the communities
again.
“They told me that they would
not be operational until some time
in the late fall,” said Silver. “That'd
be the earliest possibility.”
The state has indicated that
all of our concerns would be part
of any re-opening and will be
required as certification by their private engineer
”
A decision on whether to transfer the
liquor license and renew a dance permit at
the Landing Strip Lounge in Romulus will
have towait at least twomoreweeks.
Jason Saad, the manager of the club, had
requested the new permit be issued and
liquor license transferred to Yestofflo, LLC,
of which he is the sole member. Saad, how-
ever, was not present at the meeting-he told
Romulus Clerk Ellen Craig Bragg that he
wouldn't be attending because his attorney
was out of town.
“Unfortunately, we need the petitioner to
be here to take action on the request,” said
Council President LeroyBurcroff.
In his memo to the city council, Romulus
Police Chief Bob Dickerson recommended
denying the request.
Members of the community have voiced
opposition to its continued operation, as
well, including Pastor Frank Howard of the
LivingRockChurch.
“Our congregation, our people, are very
strongly opposed to it,” he told the council.
Councilman William Wadsworth said he
was irritated that the petitioner didn't show
up for the meeting and said he was ready to
take action that night.
Instead, the city will send a strongly
worded letter via certified mail advising
Saad that the issue will be on the agenda for
July 23.
“I think we should take action with or
without him,”Wadsworth said.
New restaurant to invest
$1.8 million in building
Members of the Westland City Council
have approved a Brownfield
Redevelopment Plan for Tim Donut U.S.
Limited, Inc. for the building at 7126 N.
WayneRoad.
The redevelopment of the abandoned
commercial building, which formerly
housed the Copper Cricket store, is
expected to cost $1.8 million when the
new 1,950-square-foot Tim Horton's
restaurant opens at the site. Construction
plans include a complete demolition of
the building on the 1.37-acre property.
The project is expected to be complet-
ed this year and will create approximate-
ly 15 new full-time and 10 part-time jobs
as well as approximately 20 construction
jobs during the building phase.
The applicant, Tim Donut U.S.
Limited, has requested tax increment
financing assistance in an amount not to
exceed $149,098 to be primarily used for
Phase I and II environment assessments;
baseline environmental assessment; a
due-care plan and additional due care
measures. Tax increment financing will
also be used for the demolition and
asbestos abatement required at the exist-
ing structure.
Westland will recoup approximately
$15,000 to cover administrative costs asso-
ciated with the redevelopment plan
approved by the council members. The
total investment amount is projected to
be $1.8 million when the restaurant is
complete. The resulting project is expect-
ed to create approximately $700,000 in
new taxable value, for the city, according
toWestlandMayorWilliamR.Wild.
“We are pleased to welcome the sec-
ond TimHorton's Franchise to the City of
Westland,”Wild said.
To advertise in The Eagle Call 734-467-1900.