Troy files suit for Transit Center land
“The City of Troy has filed an eminent domain suit against Grand Sakwa in an attempt to regain property occupied by the city’s completed transit center.
The city filed the case in Oakland County Circuit Court on July 10 in response to Grand Sakwa’s refusal of an offer of nearly $1 million for the 2.7-acre parcel on which the city’s Multi-Modal Transit Center rests.
Grand Sakwa has 21 days from the date of the initial filing to challenge the case, which will otherwise be set for an Aug. 6 hearing, according to City Attorney Lori Grigg Bluhm.
“This is unprecedented, but we’re following the steps authorized under state statute to acquire the property,” she said. “We remain open to any possible settlements and we’re hoping that we can get this matter resolved as quickly as possible.”
The costs and attorney fees incurred in handing the case have been reimbursed with federal funds set aside for the project’s completion, Grigg Bluhm said.
There were two federal funding sources for the project, with the costs of the condemnation action being reimbursed from a $1.3 federal grant — with a $325,000 state match — administered by the Federal Transportation Administration, she added.
Alan Greene, an attorney representing Grand Sakwa, declined comment while the matter was under litigation.
The city upped its offer for the land to more than $1 million in April, nearly double the city’s initial assessment.
Oakland County Circuit Judge Leo Bowman ruled earlier this year that the 2.7 acres of land the Troy Transit Center sits on is owned by Grand/Sakwa Properties LLC because of previous issues with project funding.”
KIdd, Andrew. Oakland Press 18 July 2014.