After seven years, White Lake project is nearing an end

Over seven years ago, Ivanhoe Huntley began developing a piece of White Lake Township property at M-59 and Williams Lake Road with duplex condominiums called Williams Lake Crossing. However, with the downturn in the economy, the developer was unable to complete the overall project, including a number of smaller side projects consisting of roads, sidewalks, and curbs.

Now, the township is nearing the end of completing that project.

“Whenever we have a developer looking to build, we require bond money that guarantees completion of the work,” said White Lake Township Planning Director Sean O’Neil. “In the event the developer is not able to complete their obligation in cases such as these, the township has funds to finish the work the developer did not finish. The township protects the interest of its residents and makes sure that all site work is adequately completed so that residents are not living with half-finished roads and half-completed storm water systems. The Community Development Department is very proactive when it comes to making sure that we have guarantees in place to ensure a project’s completion.”

Except for a few more minor projects, the township has the majority of the work completed and with money to spare, according to O’Neil.

“The homeowners had some complaints about a couple of things — a few items they want to see done, such as having sod put on vacant lots and irrigated,” O’Neil said. “But we completed most of the major work. We have some bond money left over, which will go to the developer as a refund, of course. Our main goal was to get work done for the residents and to get things done in a satisfactory manner acceptable to both the township and residents which, at the end of the day, thankfully we completed all the work and still had money left over.”

Meanwhile, the parcel of land Ivanhoe Huntley was forced to forfeit when they ran out of money is now being developed by Lombardo Homes into single-family residences. The development is being called Bluffs at William Lakes Crossing.

“We’re happy the land is being developed, and they are good quality homes,” O’Neil said. “All in all, it worked out well. Lombardo is doing quite a good job. We’re excited about it, and we’re pleased that the Williams Lake Crossing Condo improvements are almost all finished and closed out and that the vacant land is being developed.”