Riverview council begins process to sell about 80 acres of Highlands Golf Course, will ask voters in November

Mayor Swift told the council the city "has commenced the process of selling 80 acres, plus or minus, of the Riverview Highlands Golf Course property for the development of a community park and approximately 400 housing units subject to the approval of the electorate and pursuant to the city charter and all applicable city ordinances and policies." The announcement laid out the plan that if voters approve the sale, the city will solicit competitive bids to sell the property.

Swift said the sale is constrained by a 1971 resolution dedicating the land for residential and recreational purposes and by the city charter, which requires voter approval before any part of the parcel can be sold. He told the council the ballot question must be placed on the Nov. 3, 2026 election and that ballot wording must be certified to the city clerk and the Wayne County clerk "as required by Michigan civil law 168.1 as amended." The council moved to commence the sale process and to put the question to the electorate; the motion passed on a roll call with members recorded as voting in the affirmative and Council member Pray recorded as excused.

A council member said the city will begin an educational outreach campaign, producing videos with community leaders and supplying factual background information to residents ahead of the election to reduce misinformation on social media.

What happens next: If voters approve the sale on Nov. 3, 2026, the city will proceed to a competitive bidding process and sell the property to the highest qualified bidder under applicable ordinances and policies.