Discuss Detroit » Archives - Beginning January 2007 » Detroit Sells Rackham Golf Course « Previous Next »
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Ha_asfan
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Username: Ha_asfan

Post Number: 45
Registered: 06-2006
Posted on Friday, November 17, 2006 - 10:53 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

In a 5 to 4 decision, the city sold the Rackham Golf Course to Premium Golf Corporation this afternoon. Now, the fun begins. The city is to get 11.25 million dollars from Premium. If the land is used for anything other than a golf course, the Rackham heirs will take the land back, and they will. That means Premium has lost 11.25 million which they most likely will try to collect back from the city and they lose the land they purchased. Detroit could wind up being out of the money and out of the land. In years to come, this may be all sorted out.
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321brian
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Username: 321brian

Post Number: 203
Registered: 02-2006
Posted on Friday, November 17, 2006 - 11:03 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I'm sure Kwame will get the finest bag of magic beans $11.25 mil. can buy.
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1953
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Username: 1953

Post Number: 1135
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Friday, November 17, 2006 - 11:04 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

How did this happen without any media coverage to forworn us? Why is Detroit the capital of stupid political moves? Can we get greater revenue sharing from the state and feds because of that title?
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Lilpup
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Username: Lilpup

Post Number: 1479
Registered: 06-2004
Posted on Friday, November 17, 2006 - 11:19 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The intent to sell Rackham to somebody has had coverage for some time now.
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Thecarl
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Username: Thecarl

Post Number: 972
Registered: 04-2005
Posted on Saturday, November 18, 2006 - 12:43 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

the real estate bubble has burst nationwide, home foreclosures in michigan lead the nation, and southeast michigan has an oversupply of homes. add to the equation: consumer debt, predatory lending, and "creative" loans poised to work against the consumer during economic hardship.

in the midst of it all, the folks elected to manage the city of detroit have decided to eradicate an expanse of greenery and recreation, for the purpose of building more homes in a saturated and declining market?

yay detroit!
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Jasoncw
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Username: Jasoncw

Post Number: 290
Registered: 07-2005
Posted on Saturday, November 18, 2006 - 1:06 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Personally, I think now is the time to buy (well, I think the city own most of it already) the entire city blocks that are empty and turn them into city parks, or at least set them aside as city parks for the future or something.

Detroit could be the city of parks and greenery and all that kind of stuff.

And if the city really can't operate what it already has, then it can fence it off and stop doing short term maintence (it would still need to make sure the structures don't collapse and stuff like that). If they sell it, that seems like what's going to happpen to it anyway, so they might as well.
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Viziondetroit
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Username: Viziondetroit

Post Number: 933
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Saturday, November 18, 2006 - 5:06 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Maybe I am missing something but how would Detroit end up in a law suit if it sells the land and they decide to do something other than golf with it? It's not the city's property anymore... Premium would be the ones to get hit, not Detroit.

That's like you selling your house and the new owner looses the house due to not paying taxes, and then they turn around and sue you. Makes no sense...but then again I did say I might be missing something.

Ha_asfan... clear that up please
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Douglasm
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Username: Douglasm

Post Number: 706
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Saturday, November 18, 2006 - 8:38 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

As to the problem with Rackham going back to the family if it becomes something other than a golf course, I would assume Premium would have done due dilligence (if I were spending $11.25 mil, I sure would have done so) and understand there are restrictions on the property. I don't think the city would be liable if Premium can't come to a deal with the Rackham family on the property use, if they purchased the course knowing the deed was faulty.

We have a similar problem with a city owned golf course in the little town I live in. we can't sell it (it reverts back to the previous owner), and the folks that lease it are threatening to walk.....
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Burnsie
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Username: Burnsie

Post Number: 751
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Saturday, November 18, 2006 - 10:49 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Didn't the media already report that the Rackham heirs didn't have a problem with the course being developed?
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Jams
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Username: Jams

Post Number: 4225
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Saturday, November 18, 2006 - 11:35 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)


quote:

Christine MacDonald / The Detroit News

DETROIT -- The City Council on Friday approved 5-4 a controversial deal to sell the Rackham Golf Course in Huntington Woods to developers, but the issue likely will remain in the courts for months.

Premium Golf offered the city $11.25 million for the 123-acre course. The developers have said they plan to build housing on the site. But a company official said Friday they haven't decided exactly what to build and are open to working with Huntington Woods on the specific type of development, whether it is housing, retail or office.

Huntington Woods officials and residents have lobbied to keep the land green space, offering to buy it from Detroit and even taking the city to court to prevent the sale.

"It doesn't change anything," said Alex Allie, Huntington Woods city manager. "The law of the land states that the land has to remain a public golf course."

A ruling by Oakland Circuit Judge Rae Lee Chabot in October requires the city to sell the property only as a golf course as stated in the deed restriction. The land was a gift to Detroit in 1924 from Horace and Mary Rackham.

Because of the court ruling, Detroit officials presented an amended sale proposal to the City Council on Friday,making the sale contingent on all the Rackham heirs waiving the restriction on the property. Premium Golf officials have pledged to pay for the cost of tracking the heirs.

"We've made tremendous progress with the heirs," said Ryan Rosett of Premium Golf, but he wouldn't say how many have signed off.

Huntington Woods officials believe that it doesn't matter if the heirs sign off because the court ruling found that an earlier deed -- prior to the Rackham deed restriction -- also requires that the land remain a park or green space...




http://www.detnews.com/apps/pb cs.dll/article?AID=/20061118/M ETRO/611180343
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Ha_asfan
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Username: Ha_asfan

Post Number: 46
Registered: 06-2006
Posted on Saturday, November 18, 2006 - 6:21 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

There needs to be a 100% signoff from the Rackham heirs to release the deed restriction, that is not going to happen. Funny how Premium says they have 75% support of the Rackham heris and NOW they are going to start a geneological search, a bit late. There are a lot more heirs than Premium knows about and some of them are not willing to budge from their Save Rackham position. Now the heirs can sue the City of Detroit for selling the property for developement and try to get their money that way and they may very well prevail. They did the same thing for the 696 freeway land deal. Don't forget the original 1922 Baker Deed which states golf course or public park use only. Again, greed is rearing it's ugly head...a few rich guys want to become even more rich at the expense of an established community. This may come as a surprise to some folks but there is an even greedier group of developers who want part of the Gettysburg War Field, you got, casino develpement.
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321brian
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Username: 321brian

Post Number: 204
Registered: 02-2006
Posted on Saturday, November 18, 2006 - 11:37 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I know I'm not very bright so help me with this.

The golf course in is Huntington Woods right?

Why doesn't the city of Huntington Woods have any say about the zoning of the property?

They and every other city tell us what we can put on the property we own.

What makes the Rackham property different?
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Ha_asfan
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Username: Ha_asfan

Post Number: 47
Registered: 06-2006
Posted on Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 9:22 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Re-Zoning is possible but it is not difficult to overturn in court. Much stronger methods of protection are needed to protect this important piece of history. The historic district designation is just one step in layering on protection, additional zoning laws will also help. The moral compass of the developers is totally skewed, anything for money regardless what community interests are and what the people want or need. The only interest the developers have is money, lots and lots of money for thier own pockets. The Detroit Free Press has an article today on the course....there will be a Huntington Woods City Commission meeting tonight and the historic designation vote will be taken, should be interesting.
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Dialh4hipster
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Username: Dialh4hipster

Post Number: 1849
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 11:31 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

"Important piece of history?"

It's a golf course. The neighbors don't care about the history, just maintaining the green space (as is appropriate, I think).

But let's not frame this as a moral or historic preservation issue, because it really isn't.
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Dougw
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Username: Dougw

Post Number: 1432
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 11:37 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)


quote:

There needs to be a 100% signoff from the Rackham heirs to release the deed restriction, that is not going to happen.



I tend to agree with you that it's highly possible that they won't get 100% signoff.

But according to the article Jams posted (see highlighted portion), the sale is contingent on the signoff of the heirs. So we don't have to worry about Detroit getting sued if they don't sign off, it's just that the sale won't happen.
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Eastsidedog
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Username: Eastsidedog

Post Number: 838
Registered: 03-2006
Posted on Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 11:51 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

IMO, the city should have just sold the course to Huntington Woods for the 5 or 6 million they offered and kept good relations between the city and suburb intact. Too late for that now. Too bad.
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Danny
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Username: Danny

Post Number: 5231
Registered: 02-2004
Posted on Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 12:16 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

YAY!!!! NEW HOUSES AND RISING PROPERTY TAXES FOR ALL OF ROYAL OAK, PLEASANT RIDGE, FERNDALE, ROYAL OAK, BERKLEY OAK PARK. It's a sad thing that The Rackham Golf Course would be missed. It's a wonderful gift that KING KWAME and City CLOWNSIL refused. Those folks at "White Detroit" Oakland County cities may save the Detroit Zoo, but they couldn't save the golf course.
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Jams
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Username: Jams

Post Number: 4246
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 12:23 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

If I were one of the heirs, why would I sign off?

The land would revert back to the heirs, they could sell it and pocket the proceeds rather than the City putting the money into its coffers.
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Ha_asfan
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Username: Ha_asfan

Post Number: 48
Registered: 06-2006
Posted on Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 12:30 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Dialh4hipster, Why isn't the Rackham Golf Course historic?
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Ha_asfan
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Username: Ha_asfan

Post Number: 49
Registered: 06-2006
Posted on Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 10:07 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The Huntington Woods City Commission voted tonight to create the Rackham Historic District. The presentation was brief, the lone dissenter was the attorney for Premium Golf Corporation.
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Trainman
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Username: Trainman

Post Number: 259
Registered: 04-2006
Posted on Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 10:31 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Now IS time to sell DDOT!!!!!!

This will save the taxpayers of Michigan and the city of Detroit and suburban property owners over $70 Million per year!!! Create jobs, improve bus service, provide access to many more suburban jobs to low wage city workers and bring back Michigan's economy by attracting new business.

In addition, there will be more bus driver jobs available because the grossly uncompetitive DDOT management that directly caused the Livonia opt out and the loss
of 1000 workers their ride will be replaced.

The new system could hire people who speak English or learn the language as opposed the answering machines you always get when you call them. You never get a person. Buses would have actual schedules that are understood.

Now is the time to take action.

Vote NO, on the next transit tax INCREASE that will surely be supported then we can

SELL, SELL, SELL

And see the jobs come back to Michigan.
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Citylover
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Username: Citylover

Post Number: 1880
Registered: 07-2004
Posted on Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 10:41 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I believe and this is ironic that the historical aspect of the golf course is that it was one of the 1st in the U.S. to allow blacks to use the course.Not that that in itself is a noble thing but it does have historical significance in black history.

I believe Detroit does not have term limits.So theoretically Kwame could be Mayor for a very long time.................who knows some time down the road he might be selling the copper from the Manoogian mansion to help "balance" things.
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Ha_asfan
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Username: Ha_asfan

Post Number: 50
Registered: 06-2006
Posted on Wednesday, November 22, 2006 - 8:27 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

ONE of the historic aspects of Rackham Golf Course is it's inclusion of Black players from the very beginning but, it is certainly not the only facet of the course that makes it worthy of historic designation. The criteria set forth in Public Act 169 was all met, and then some. The designation of historic will certainly be challanged by Premium Golf and it will most likely be years before this issue is finally resolved. It seems unreal that the city that yells "racist" faster tahn a speeding bullet is, in this case, EAGER to sell off a large chunk of their black history for a temporary financial band-aid. It would be interesting to follow the money trail to see where it leads...
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Trainman
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Username: Trainman

Post Number: 262
Registered: 04-2006
Posted on Saturday, November 25, 2006 - 10:08 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

It's a fact Kwame tried to sell DDOT.
He wanted to sell it to the county taxpayers and charge a one half cent county sales tax to pay for the operating costs. And yes this would have indeed saved the city of Detroit 70 Million per year.

Kwame is not stupid but instead SMART, just like
the Livonia council members who loaded their pockets with the money that used to pay for the large SMART buses.
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Gistok
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Username: Gistok

Post Number: 3150
Registered: 08-2004
Posted on Sunday, November 26, 2006 - 5:19 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Trainman... are you going to continue to threadjack until the next transportation related vote comes up, of any top that is remotely related to metro Detroit??

2 words come to mind.... Obsessive Compulsive!
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Detroitplanner
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Username: Detroitplanner

Post Number: 424
Registered: 04-2006
Posted on Sunday, November 26, 2006 - 8:37 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Trainman if you're going to hijack threads, please get your facts right. A local sales tax is illegal in the state of Michigan
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Detroit313
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Username: Detroit313

Post Number: 253
Registered: 02-2006
Posted on Sunday, November 26, 2006 - 8:52 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Correct me if i'm wrong butisn't the golf course directly eats of the Detroit Zoo? If so why not expand the Zoo!!!313
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Detroit313
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Username: Detroit313

Post Number: 254
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Posted on Sunday, November 26, 2006 - 8:53 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

That should read east of the Zoo!!! sorry :-(313
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Zephyrprocess
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Username: Zephyrprocess

Post Number: 141
Registered: 08-2006
Posted on Sunday, November 26, 2006 - 9:05 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Think we would have enough room to bring back the elephants?
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Trainman
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Username: Trainman

Post Number: 265
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Posted on Sunday, November 26, 2006 - 10:12 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Yes a local sales tax is illegal and I know this but this what was in the Detroit News, which is where I got this fact.
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Gistok
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Username: Gistok

Post Number: 3152
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Posted on Monday, November 27, 2006 - 1:41 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Detroit313 I have mentioned that before... what a great way to get a bigger better zoo. They could even have had a Savannah (golf greens)... and lots of room for elephants and other herds to roam...

Of course Detroit doesn't have the money. But too bad the state didn't buy it, but retain its special status. I bet that more folks outside of Detroit visit the zoo than city residents anyways.
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Fightdetroit
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Username: Fightdetroit

Post Number: 1
Registered: 11-2006
Posted on Wednesday, November 29, 2006 - 9:24 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

What makes you all think that the Rackham heirs won't sign off on the deed restriction? Enough money will make you do anything.

A new zoo would be nice but why kid ourselves right?
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Magnasco
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Username: Magnasco

Post Number: 195
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Posted on Wednesday, November 29, 2006 - 9:35 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I think the discussion has been around getting sign-off from those they can find and file to quiet title against those they can not.
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Fightdetroit
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Username: Fightdetroit

Post Number: 2
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Posted on Wednesday, November 29, 2006 - 10:53 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

There are 9 heirs to the deed, and all of them are living. I'm sure they are all being represented by the same lawyer who will get them all together to either sign off and accept the offer or decline it. Who knows what will happen...but i'm sure that lawyer would love them if they agreed to sign off!
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Magnasco
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Username: Magnasco

Post Number: 201
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Posted on Wednesday, November 29, 2006 - 10:54 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I think that your 9 number is a bit small, but I could be wrong.
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Fightdetroit
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Username: Fightdetroit

Post Number: 3
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Posted on Wednesday, November 29, 2006 - 11:50 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I could be wrong as well but that is what I heard. Whatever happens I just hope they don't turn it into commercial property. It would just make the city look worse. It would be nice if they built housing on the golf course in order to keep it looking good. But to do this the heirs still need to sign off. I wonder what they'll offer??
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Fightdetroit
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Username: Fightdetroit

Post Number: 4
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Posted on Wednesday, November 29, 2006 - 11:57 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

As for the quote from Ryan Rosett from Premium Golf--this guy is full of it! Some of the heirs have been contacted and they offered them a measly amount to sign off...ha! Try again buddy! None of the heirs...I repeat...none of the heirs have signed off as of right now.
It better be a big offer or this could take a while I'm sure!
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Fightdetroit
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Username: Fightdetroit

Post Number: 5
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Posted on Wednesday, December 06, 2006 - 12:39 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

So what's done is done. The Rackham golf course has been deemed a "historical district." I see why it is considered historical, but I don't think it should effect building on the site. I wonder what will happen now...
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Ha_asfan
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Username: Ha_asfan

Post Number: 54
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Posted on Wednesday, December 06, 2006 - 2:26 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Fightdetroit, Your score of nine Rackham heirs is WAY OFF !!! Substantially more heirs are alive and well scattered across this continent and two others. Some Rackham heirs are people with the same "public service" mentality as Horace and Mary were. They are not interested in profiting from their ancestors. If a site is designated as "historic" and building on that site would destroy or remove the qualities that make it historic, why would you be in favor of building?

By way of demolition by neglect, the Rackham Golf Course Clubhouse is falling into a state of disrepair. About two months ago, the center portion of the building's roof was torn off for replacement. The replacement roof was not approved by the Historic District Commission. No further work was ever done on the roof and today, it is without a tarp or other covering and 100% open to the elements. Another train wreck.
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Fightdetroit
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Username: Fightdetroit

Post Number: 12
Registered: 11-2006
Posted on Friday, December 08, 2006 - 5:30 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Wow ha_asfan you seem to know a lot about this issue. Are you one of the heirs??
I know i'm not the only one that's in favor of building....Kwame Kilpatrick comes to mind! Why aren't you bashing him? He's the one that wanted the higher bid! And he's the freakin Mayor!
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Detroitrulez
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Username: Detroitrulez

Post Number: 46
Registered: 12-2006
Posted on Friday, December 08, 2006 - 5:37 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hey Fightdetroit--you and your buddies at Rock Financial got a piece of the residential development action at this site or something?? Rock on dude.
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Ha_asfan
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Username: Ha_asfan

Post Number: 56
Registered: 06-2006
Posted on Saturday, December 09, 2006 - 11:42 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Bashing Kwame...what for? It's obvious what he is, no need to beat the dead horse. Certainly though. if Rackham reverts to the heirs of which I am not one, Detroit will be held holding zero. The golf course will be gone and Detroit will have received no money from the transfer. Kwame stands to make some serious money if this sordid deal ever goes through, there is 80 million on the back end....not all for the developers. Anyone who is in favor of developing this site does not know the true value of the course, historically, socially, environmentally nor the value it holds for the future.
The city is doing it's best to destroy the clubhouse. The roof has been open and exposed to the elements since the end of October. The torrential rains we had have soaked the building, the tarps fly in the wind, snow and ice are accumulating and nothing is being done to repair the situation.
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Fightdetroit
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Username: Fightdetroit

Post Number: 13
Registered: 11-2006
Posted on Sunday, December 10, 2006 - 7:34 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

If they end up building on the site Detroit and Kwame are going to love the fact that more people are in city and paying the taxes. More money for the city...less of a deficit the city has. I'm not "in favor" of building, I would rather see homes on the golf course rather than commercial buildings. Wouldn't you?
Premium Golf LLC has 120 days, well now about 90 days to contact the heirs and come to an offer. I guess we'll find out then!

What's up with the clubhouse being such a pile? Why hasn't it been fixed?
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Bearinabox
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Username: Bearinabox

Post Number: 85
Registered: 04-2006
Posted on Sunday, December 10, 2006 - 7:50 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Fightdetroit, the Rackham site is not in the city of Detroit, so the number of residents on the property has no effect on Detroit's tax revenues. The only reduction in Detroit's deficit that will come from this is the actual sale price of the property, which is a one-time thing.
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Fightdetroit
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Username: Fightdetroit

Post Number: 14
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Posted on Sunday, December 10, 2006 - 11:19 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Bearinabox,
Right so i'm sure Kwame will be pushing the heirs to sign off. I wonder what they will offer? Millions?
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Ha_asfan
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Username: Ha_asfan

Post Number: 57
Registered: 06-2006
Posted on Monday, December 11, 2006 - 9:51 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Kwame has no contact with the heirs. The heirs are are of interest to Premium Golf who needs their release on the deed.
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Fightdetroit
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Username: Fightdetroit

Post Number: 15
Registered: 11-2006
Posted on Monday, December 11, 2006 - 12:30 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I realize that....but i'm just saying that i'm sure he'll be doing anything he can to get them to sign off. There's no reason he can't call Premium Golf and give them a little incentive.
11 million dollars or zero?? He's definitely got something in store.
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Ha_asfan
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Username: Ha_asfan

Post Number: 58
Registered: 06-2006
Posted on Monday, December 11, 2006 - 12:51 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Certainly, pockets will be lined if the deal ever goes through but in real time, it won't go through. Once the heirs invoke their right of reversion [they can do so on several grounds], the issue will be dead. Once again, if [when] the heirs take back the property as their own, Detroit will have no interest in the property, it will be gone. Not only will their property be gone but they will not get a single penny!!! Detroit is running a huge gamble on this one. The arrogance of kwame and premium is untold, let's see what they try next.
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Fightdetroit
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Username: Fightdetroit

Post Number: 16
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Posted on Monday, December 11, 2006 - 2:09 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Ha_asfan, how do you know how many heirs there are?
If Premium is willing to put a bid in for 11.25 million on a golf course that has a deed restriction on it, don't you think that they would come prepared to offer the heirs a considerable amount to sign off? I certainly don't think they would waste their time, do you?

Like I said before, I'm not in favor of building on the site, but if someone offered them a lot of money, they would probably consider it. But then again if the property reverts back to the heirs, do they sell it outright?
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Ha_asfan
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Username: Ha_asfan

Post Number: 59
Registered: 06-2006
Posted on Monday, December 11, 2006 - 3:20 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I don't know an exact number of heirs, yet. Heirs are being revealed on quite a regular basis.
Premium has offered 6.25 million PLUS 5 million if the original deeds are found to be invalid and IF they build on the property. If the courts find the deeds to be in good standing, there is no deal for the city, Premium will back out. Premium does have bottomless pockets and is willing to throw a LOT of money at the heirs to make them go away but, and this is a big but, many Rackham heirs are not at all interested in the money Premium has to offer and are offended they have been approached to sign away their rights. There are still Rackhams with a mindset similar to Horace who was proud to give to the community, typically without any recognition at all. Premium, as many businesses and individuals do these days believe that money is the answer to every question. Surprise! Some folks still have morals and principles and understand what unbridled greed does to a community. The Rackham heirs have no interest in developing the land nor seeing it used for anything other the golf course.
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Fightdetroit
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Post Number: 17
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Posted on Monday, December 11, 2006 - 6:49 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Do you know any of the heirs? It sounds like you are pretty involved in this issue!
I'm just being realistic and saying that I do believe that some of them would be willing to take an offer. Aren't most of the heirs NOT Rackham's?
If they do take it, I just hope they don't make it commercial buildings. That would be devastating.
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Ha_asfan
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Post Number: 60
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Posted on Tuesday, December 12, 2006 - 1:39 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Some of the heirs will take money, certainly. There are plenty of heirs with and without the Rackham name and their money/community service attitudes have no connection to what name they carry. They are an interesting group of people... as for commercial buildings on that site, certainly that would require a lot of re-zoning and I doubt that would happen.
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Ha_asfan
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Post Number: 61
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Posted on Thursday, December 14, 2006 - 1:10 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Congrats to the City of Huntington Woods for forcing the golf course management company to put a roof in place on the clubhouse!
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Kpm
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Post Number: 23
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Posted on Tuesday, December 19, 2006 - 4:08 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Huntington Woods considers a tax to pay its legal bills for Rackham fight

Jennifer Chambers / The Detroit News

HUNTINGTON WOODS -- Is saving Rackham Golf Course from the hands of a developer worth higher property taxes?

City leaders and residents in Huntington Woods will debate the issue tonight when the City Commission decides whether to hold a special election Feb. 27 to pay for Rackham-related legal expenses.

City Manager Alex Allie said the city has spent $175,000 on legal and administrative costs to block attempts by the city of Detroit to sell Rackham to developers.

In a typical year, Huntington Woods spends about $140,000 for all its legal expenses.

"It has been so expensive and so overwhelming that a city this size cannot handle it," said Allie. "Cleary it's to the point where it's going to impact our budget."

Rest of article at: http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.d ll/article?AID=/20061219/UPDAT E/612190442

If anyone goes, I'm curious to hear what the city leaders/residents think of this tax...
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321brian
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Post Number: 220
Registered: 02-2006
Posted on Tuesday, December 19, 2006 - 4:35 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Why can't Huntington Woods just refuse to zone the property residential?

It is in their city right?

If Huntington Woods or any of us owned a piece of property in Detroit or any other city wouldn't that city have the right to zone it however they please.
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Citylover
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Post Number: 1971
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Posted on Tuesday, December 19, 2006 - 5:56 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

This must be the regional cooperation we hear so much about.Detroit being broke decides to sell off or close various assets; to hell with the neighbors and how it impacts them.

Of course regional cooperation here is Detroit Detroit Detroit to hell with the rest of you_ when the money runs out from selling the golf course then what?
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Ha_asfan
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Post Number: 62
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Posted on Tuesday, December 19, 2006 - 6:33 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The City of Huntington Woods can re-zone but rezoning can be fought and what the courts may order for th eland could be far worse than what is proposed by the developers. Nothing is as simple as it is made out to be, nobody wants the courts telling a community how to zone it's land. The millage is very small, it will cost about $60.00 per household for several years and the money is exclusively for legal funding. To me, the millage is a no brainer and will pass with ease.
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Gistok
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Post Number: 3270
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Posted on Tuesday, December 19, 2006 - 10:29 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I think that Huntington Woods should stipulate that the tax assessment is based on if they win a court fight.

If they loose, and the property gets developed into McMansion, then Huntington Woods should pay off their court costs with the added taxes that they will be getting from a private development that returns the property to being taxable!
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Ha_asfan
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Post Number: 64
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Posted on Thursday, December 21, 2006 - 1:26 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Fasten your seatbelts and get ready for the BIG announcement Kwame will be making just after the new year. Just like Bush, he's waiting till the holidays are over to let the big news out. Naturally, Kwame's press department will put some spin down to make the big man look good but from what I've been hearing....KWAME BLEW IT!
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Chucktown_motown
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Post Number: 31
Registered: 09-2006
Posted on Thursday, December 21, 2006 - 10:42 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

SCrew Kwame we takin back the ciTy
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Rjk
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Post Number: 578
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Posted on Thursday, December 21, 2006 - 11:01 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

"...but from what I've been hearing....KWAME BLEW IT!"

So spill the beans, what have you been hearing?
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Ramcharger
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Username: Ramcharger

Post Number: 183
Registered: 05-2006
Posted on Friday, December 22, 2006 - 2:25 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

My guess is that the heirs have sued for return of the property due to a violation of the deed restriction. To avoid expensive litigation the City will agree to allow the land to be donated to The Detroit Zoological Society for possible future expansion of the Zoo. The City of Detroit gets nothing.
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Gistok
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Post Number: 3330
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Posted on Friday, December 22, 2006 - 3:20 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Wow, that would be a wonderful turn of events!

And then we would have more space so that elephants can be reintroduced to the zoo.

(A zoo without elephants... unthinkable...)
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Fightdetroit
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Post Number: 18
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Posted on Wednesday, December 27, 2006 - 7:04 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

If the property is put to any use besides a park or a golf course it reverts back to the heirs....so no zoo addition, sorry Gistok.
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Ramcharger
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Post Number: 186
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Posted on Wednesday, December 27, 2006 - 10:16 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

If the property reverts back to the heirs then they could donate the land to the zoo, which is what I was suggesting. Of course, that is a long shot. I was just trying to come up with a scenario that would allow Kwame to characterize the loss of the property as a plus for the city.
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Smogboy
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Post Number: 4164
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Posted on Thursday, December 28, 2006 - 3:59 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Gistok- a zoo with ailing elephants is even worse.
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Gistok
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Post Number: 3368
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Posted on Thursday, December 28, 2006 - 2:19 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Wasn't the problem with the elephants that they didn't have enough space to roam, thus the eventual setting in of arthritis? So by having an expanded area to roam(part of Rackham), how would that still be a problem?

Or is it a climate problem (cold weather climate)? If so, just how many northern zoos still have elephants?

And besides, I'm not talking about getting the 2 arthritic elephants back, but new ones.
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Ha_asfan
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Username: Ha_asfan

Post Number: 67
Registered: 06-2006
Posted on Thursday, December 28, 2006 - 4:13 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The only way for the zoo to expand onto golf course land is for the Rackham heirs to invoke their reverter rights and gift land to the zoo. If the course remains a course, the language in the deeds specify "PUBLIC park or PUBLIC golf course."
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Genius
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Username: Genius

Post Number: 21
Registered: 03-2005
Posted on Friday, December 29, 2006 - 9:56 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

"If the property is put to any use besides a park or a golf course it reverts back to the heirs....so no zoo addition, sorry Gistok"

I thought the zoo was a park...isn't it called Detroit Zoological Park?
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Romanized
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Username: Romanized

Post Number: 215
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Posted on Friday, December 29, 2006 - 1:14 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

A bunch of "Detroit only" diehards now bitching about a lame golf course in the burbs. No wonder this city so ass-backwards.
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Thedeck
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Posted on Monday, January 01, 2007 - 11:10 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Let's look at the big picture with the potential development of Rackham. My guess is a large portion of the houses would be purchased by current Detroit residents (pulling more people out the city). 40% of the rounds played annually at Rackham are by people who are Detroit residents. So the city is for new housing being built in the suburbs, but isn't that really what caused the downfall of a once great city? The golf course is just as much a part of Detroit as it is Huntington Woods.
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Gistok
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Posted on Monday, January 01, 2007 - 11:18 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Welcome to the Forum Thedeck!

However, I have to respectfully disagree with you on a large portion of the houses being purchased by Detroit city residents. If it does turn into a subdivision, my guess is that the houses are going to be very pricey ($300K or more), thus pricing out the majority of Detroit residents.
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Ha_asfan
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Username: Ha_asfan

Post Number: 68
Registered: 06-2006
Posted on Tuesday, January 02, 2007 - 5:54 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hi Thedeck and welcome to this discussion on Rackham and the forum...Premium Golf, the potential developers for Rackham were not going to be building 300K houses but double that amount and more. Huntington Woods housing stock is pricey to begin with and 300K is a starter house. Their plan was to make $$$$$$ not $$$. At this point, with the Historic Designation in place, uncooperative Rackham heirs,a miserable economy and a community that is nearly 100% against development, chances are mighty damn slim that anything will ever be built on the course. Premium ran into more opposition than expected from more sources than expected and they are most likely going to quietly disappear into the mist. The announcement from Kwame on the course and it's sale to Premium is getting closer.
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Ramcharger
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Post Number: 195
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Posted on Wednesday, January 03, 2007 - 6:34 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Firm drops its bid for Rackham

Detroit should take the 6.25 million offered by Huntington Woods and move on. They've probably already spent that much on legal fees anyway.
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Ha_asfan
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Username: Ha_asfan

Post Number: 69
Registered: 06-2006
Posted on Wednesday, January 03, 2007 - 9:06 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

When I got wind of Premium backing out, there was great surprise for all people involved. The $$$ spent by Premium to get this far has been huge and they were settling in for a real battle with Huntington Woods. Premium backing out has nothing to do with "enviromental testing", that is the flimsiest of reasons...the grass roots effort put forth by the residents of Huntington Woods along with the economy is what stopped Premium. Besides, after they destroyed the very fiber and texture of Huntington Woods, how could those guys ever come home to visit thier families again? The parents and other family members of the Premium guys have been humiliated by their [premium] activities and attempts to destroy their city. At least the families can show their faces again. The next big question is: why hasn't the property been sold to the next highest bidder? The bid process is over, HW offered 6.25M.....and Detroit apparantly does not want to sell to HW.
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Wally
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Post Number: 247
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Posted on Wednesday, January 03, 2007 - 9:26 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I always thought it was silly that they had the gall to call themselves "Premium Golf" when all they were going to do was destroy the course and build McMansions.
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Ha_asfan
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Username: Ha_asfan

Post Number: 70
Registered: 06-2006
Posted on Wednesday, January 03, 2007 - 9:44 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

It's one of those "respectable" names....but I believe, the more respectable the name or the more respectable they look, the more they have to hide.....
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Thedeck
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Post Number: 2
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Posted on Wednesday, January 03, 2007 - 10:23 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

My mistake by saying a majority of houses would have been purchased by Detroit residents, I neglected to think about the price of homes Premium wanted to build. Stopped by Rackham yesterday, with many people enjoying the nice winter weather, the mood was good. With Premium finally realizing that nobody wants them, a small sigh of relief can be let out as the future of Rackham Golf Course just got a little brighter.
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Higgs1634
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Username: Higgs1634

Post Number: 37
Registered: 10-2005
Posted on Wednesday, January 03, 2007 - 11:12 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Uh... so what does this do to Kwame's "balanced" budget?
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Ha_asfan
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Username: Ha_asfan

Post Number: 71
Registered: 06-2006
Posted on Wednesday, January 03, 2007 - 11:18 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

lol, what does it do to the silver linings of his pockets???
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Thedeck
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Username: Thedeck

Post Number: 3
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Posted on Thursday, January 04, 2007 - 2:51 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Premium golf should send every person that protested them a thank you letter. That may have been one of the worst developments since Fountain Walk in Novi. With the number of foreclosures and houses on the market in southeast Michigan, it would of been impossible to sell those homes. The lesson of not knowing what you've got till its gone, may have been avoided here. Detroit sell the course to Huntington Woods and move on.
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Kpm
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Username: Kpm

Post Number: 24
Registered: 08-2005
Posted on Thursday, January 11, 2007 - 8:50 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Woods should offer $11 million to Detroit for Rackham

http://www.hometownlife.com/ap ps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070 105/OPINION/701050315/1207/NEW S18
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321brian
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Username: 321brian

Post Number: 255
Registered: 02-2006
Posted on Thursday, January 11, 2007 - 9:57 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

$11 mil is a lot of $$ for as town like huntington woods. Why shouldn't they just stick with their 6.25?
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Kpm
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Post Number: 25
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Posted on Thursday, January 11, 2007 - 12:58 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

From the last few sentences in the editorial:

"...Rackham Golf Course has served as yet another catalyst for struggle between Detroit and the suburbs. We think it's time to let it be a catalyst for peace between the two. Imagine the rewards that could be reaped in the future if Detroit thought the suburbs cared enough to help during its time of struggle."
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321brian
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Post Number: 258
Registered: 02-2006
Posted on Thursday, January 11, 2007 - 2:11 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Ya, like Detroit cared enough tell anyone that they were going to sell the course in the first place.

That is one of the worse editorials ever written. You would think Kwames press secretary wrote it except it has complete sentences and there are no misspellings.
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Ha_asfan
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Username: Ha_asfan

Post Number: 80
Registered: 06-2006
Posted on Thursday, January 11, 2007 - 2:14 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Too bad the folks who wrote that ridiculous "opinion" didn't get their facts straight. The price is 6.25m, the additional money is a % for each lot and house sold...no guarantee. Watch for a new offer from Premium...they aren't finished yet.

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