'Feelers' put out on development of DDA-owned land

With the M-5/Pontiac Trail/Martin Parkway roundabout slated to be completed over the next couple months, the Commerce Township Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is continuing to put out feelers in the private sector market for those looking to bring commercial developments into the DDA district.

The DDA district includes property from two golf courses — the Links at Pinewood and El Dorado — that the DDA purchased several years ago. The former El Dorado course is located north of Pontiac Trail west of Haggerty Road, immediately adjacent to the M-5/Pontiac Trail/Martin Parkway roundabout site.

Of the 350 acres of DDA-owned land in the district, only about 220 acres are available for development due to wetlands and paths.

Township Planner Kathleen Jackson, who is also the director of the Commerce DDA, said she is hoping to bring in a “mix of uses” to the DDA district.

“We’re thinking that some portion may be residential with single-family homes or even multiple residences,” she said. “And then we anticipate the rest to be commercial (development) in the form of retail, restaurants, and hospitality. We’re looking to add a type of senior facility and perhaps some type of sports venue such as an indoor hockey rink or indoor soccer facility.”

Currently, the DDA is looking to attract both national and local retailers.

“We’re putting feelers out as we market the property, and we’re going to continue to do that. We’ve been working with Oakland County, as well as brokers and developers,” Jackson said.

Since the roundabout is to be completed in November, Jackson said the DDA is looking to sell property at any time, as it continues to entertain offers right now.

However, that doesn’t mean the DDA is in a rush to sell the property. The buyer has to offer the right price and the right project be a good fit for the district.

“If we receive interest from anybody, our marketing committee meets with them,” Jackson said. “We’re moving forward at a cautiously optimistic pace. We’re not going to sell the property at fire-sale prices. And we’ve consistently held to bringing in a high quality of development to the area.”