Romulus council delays Madco Truck Plaza street vacation after councilors cite blight

The Romulus City Council on April 26 voted to postpone a decision on vacating a street and a 10-foot alley adjacent to Madco Truck Plaza, allowing the company time to remediate longstanding site blight and demonstrate good-faith progress.

Councilman Wilhite moved to delay consideration until September, saying the postponement would give the owner time to address code issues and clean up the lot; the motion was seconded and approved by the council. Mayor (speaker) warned that if improvements do not materialize the city could take enforcement action.

Michael Brock, the project engineer representing Madco's owner, told the council the vacation is necessary to combine lots and move forward with a site plan that includes new pavement, a stormwater system, lighting and a 4-foot berm to screen trucks. An on-site owner-operator who identified himself as Nick said he had taken possession about three weeks earlier and described ongoing cleanup efforts and plans for overnight security and photometric lighting that would limit spillover to nearby residents.

Several council members said the property has been a longstanding source of complaints and violations. One councilor referenced a past camper fire that resulted in a fatality when discussing safety and the need for clear progress before expanding property rights.

The council’s action does not approve the vacation; it postpones final action to allow the owner to submit required approvals and to demonstrate remediation. Council members said they expect visible progress when the matter returns in September.