Trustees approve Macomb Street property purchase to enable new playground; funding largely from sale of Dallas Drive parcel

The Grosse Hill Township Board of Trustees voted Sept. 8 to authorize a real estate purchase agreement for two parcels on Macomb Street to create a playscape and potential parking improvements near Lions Park. The board authorized purchase of “the Westerly 100 feet of the West 300 feet of Lot 107 and Lot 39 East Side Of Horace Grace Subdivision” for $200,000, with funds to come in part or whole from the sale of 25146 Dallas Drive.

Why it matters: the parcels are intended to support a community-requested playscape along Macomb Street and to anchor that section of the park corridor. Trustees and residents framed the acquisition as a way to respond to resident input captured in the township master plan and recent surveys.

Supervisor Joe introduced the motion to purchase and said the intent was to “install a playground and potentially parking along Macomb Street to kinda anchor that section of the street in the park.” Trustee Jamieson moved the purchase; Trustee Margaret seconded. After public comment and trustee discussion, the vote passed 5–2 (aye: Margaret, Jamieson, Mickey, Joe, and one other; nay: Kevin and Bill), and the board authorized the township manager to execute closing documents.

Debate focused on intended use, property provenance and safety. Several speakers — including former police chief Joe and trustee Margaret — strongly supported a playscape, citing resident requests and prior community volunteer efforts to build and maintain playgrounds. “On the surveys, people wanna playscape. I think it'd be a beautiful thing to have for the children out here,” one resident said during public comment.

Treasurer Kevin and Trustee Bill expressed reservations. Kevin asked staff to confirm the county foreclosure packet and documentation about how the property came to be available and whether all legal steps were followed by Wayne County prior to offering the property for sale to the township. Bill said he wanted additional safety and financial assurances before fully committing to the planned improvement and noted concerns about the seller’s circumstances and public optics.

Board members clarified that the action before them was a purchase agreement only and does not legally restrict future use of the land: “This action item does not preclude it from being anything else,” one trustee said. Trustees and staff said grants and outside groups have expressed funding interest for the playscape construction; the township will still need to finalize design, safety measures (including fencing), and construction funding.

Ending — next steps: staff will complete the closing and follow standard procurement and design steps for any playscape and parking improvements. Trustees suggested coordinating playground planning with the recreation director and soliciting detailed site plans and safety designs before construction funding or implementation votes.