FeedsSheldon Road to close on Tuesday, but property dispute continues
The long-anticipated closure of Sheldon Road is scheduled for Jan. 9 as a judge decided to hear arguments on whether to void the sale of a 23-acre parcel of land along the project route.
Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Mary Beth Kelly issued a temporary injunction against the ownership claim of Romel Casab, a real estate developer from Commerce Township.
In late 2006, Casab bought a sliver of the undeveloped land between the CSX railroad tracks and M-14 during an auction of tax-reverted properties. Casab has claimed that the Sheldon Road underpass project will cut off access to his property. He’s seeking more than $5 million for the property, which he purchased for about $60,000.
Attorneys representing the county have since filed a motion arguing the 23-acre property was already identified as part of the underpass project and was placed as a tax-delinquent property erroneously.
Kelly will hear arguments from both sides during a show cause hearing on Jan. 12 at the Wayne County Courthouse. Calls to Casab and his attorney, Barry Steinway, were not returned Friday.
While not pointing blame on any officials, Alan Helmkamp, assistant county executive for governmental relations, said the railroad property should have never been auctioned off.
“It was pretty well known that the property shouldn’t have been assessed,” said Helmkamp, who has contingency plans for the project available if Casab’s ownership claim is upheld.
“We will not telegraph our strategy now,” said Helmkamp. “Our attorney has told us that we have a pretty strong legal position.”
The property dispute is another setback to the project that originally began in 1999. Through the years, the project has experienced funding shortages, zoning issues, and complaints from Plymouth area business owners.
Despite the property ownership claim, prep work has continued on the underpass project. Several utilities polls have been removed and water connections have been made. Helmkamp said construction would move at a more furious pace once the road is closed.
“The closure will raise the project to a new level,” he said.
Sheldon Road will be closed from Farmer Street to M-14 for a period of two years. For a copy of the construction maps and alternative routes, visit http://www.ci.plymouth.mi.us/
