Developers submitted three viable offers for former Walled Lake high school site; school board to decide June 19

A broker for the Walled Lake schools briefed the council during audience participation on the status of offers for the former Walled Lake high school site.

Randy Thomas, a real estate broker who said he represents the schools on the property disposition, said the school district ran a call for offers that produced 64 interested parties and ultimately yielded three viable developer offers that the district is reviewing. Thomas said the proposals are generally residential in nature, with higher-density multifamily development most likely; the idea of incorporating limited retail to create a mixed-use development was discussed but Thomas said constraints on the lot make retail difficult.

Thomas said the property underwent remediation of a small, contained environmental area and that a restrictive covenant has been recorded. "That covenant restricts whoever does anything on the property from pulling any groundwater ... and it restricts from digging any basements," he said, adding that the covenant triggers state processes if the disturbed area must be further investigated.

The school district is expected to review the offers and could make a decision on or after a June 19 meeting; if the district selects a developer it will work with the city and the developer on early conceptual review prior to formal planning commission and council actions.

Ending: Thomas said he intends to coordinate with city staff and the planning commission as developers move from offer stage to conceptual and formal review.