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Romulus council approves demolition list; staff will work with some owners on renovation plans
Summary
Council approved Demolition List 24‑01 covering multiple properties under Chapter 8, Section 8‑157 of the Romulus Code of Ordinances; staff said several owners on the list are pursuing repairs or replacement and the city will keep those properties on the list while monitoring permit progress.
The Romulus City Council approved Demolition List 24‑01 on April 14, 2025, concurring with the Construction Board of Appeals’ recommendation to demolish structures at addresses the board listed. The clerk read the addresses into the record; the action was taken "in accordance with Chapter 8, Section 8‑157 of the Romulus Code of Ordinances," which governs deterioration and demolition proceedings.
Addresses named on the demolition list included (as read into the record): 34139 Beverly Road; 35930 Beverly Road; 35875 Bivens; 6965 Burchdale; 6355 Cordell; 35523 Goddard; 11201 Middlebelt; 29805 Van Born; 29815 Van Born; 031954 Vinewood; 6577 Washington; and 11114 Whitehorn. (The clerk read the addresses from the demolition list during the meeting.)
A city staff member who inspected several properties told council that a few owners have indicated plans to renovate. The staff member said they met with occupants or family members at 35875 Bivens (interior gutted) and 6577 Washington (interior gutted, owner recently deceased) and that both property owners' representatives had been told to submit bids, plans and permits in a timely manner. The staff member recommended keeping those addresses on the demolition list while offering the owners a window to demonstrate progress; if owners do not file plans and pull permits or show timely progress, the properties will proceed to formal demolition bidding.
Council discussed 11201 Middlebelt (described as a former pallet yard) where conflicting claims of ownership had been raised; the mayor and city staff said a third‑party title search, environmental testing and legal review will be required before moving forward. The city also noted that 11114 Whitehorn had a recent purchaser, who submitted a floor plan but had not submitted construction plans at the time of the meeting.
The motion to approve Demolition List 24‑01 passed on roll call. Council directed staff to continue working with owners who present renovation plans and to follow required procedures (title searches, environmental testing, disconnects) before undertaking demolition work if owners do not proceed.
Staff emphasized that the demolition process includes third‑party title searches and other due‑diligence steps before the city goes out to bid for demolition contractors.
