[nfbmi-talk] state awards 5 plus million to developer

[joe harcz Comcast]

http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2010/12/state_awards_56_million_tax_cr.html

 

State awards $5.6 million tax credit to School for Deaf project

 

Published: Tuesday, December 14, 2010, 1:10 PM     Updated: Tuesday, December 14, 2010, 1:12 PM

Blake Thorne | Flint Journal

Blake Thorne | Flint Journal

FLINT, Michigan — The state has awarded a $5.6 million brownfield tax credit to the developer behind

plans to buy and renovate the Michigan School for the Deaf's Miller Road campus,

even though the state hasn't technically approved the sale yet.

 

The tax credit is among 17 business and redevelopment projects approved for tax breaks and other incentives today by the Michigan Economic Growth Authority.

 

Of those projects, 11 are on brownfield sites, which are considered to be vacant and in some cases polluted land.

The Fay BuildingJohn Ehlke | The Flint Journal Fay Hall, which is planned to be renovated into a new home for Powers Catholic High School.

 

Flint Developers Ridgeway White and David Lurvey of Lurvey White Ventures are planning to buy the about 80-acre campus, build a new school for the Michigan

School for the Deaf and renovate the historic Fay Hall into a new home for Powers Catholic High School.

 

In total, the project is expected to cost $36 million.

 

The site needs extensive restoration, including upgrades to underground utilities and electrical systems, said a news release from the Michigan Economic

Development Corporation and Gov. Jennifer Granholm's office.

 

"Without these renovations, the Michigan School for the Deaf faces closure," the release said.

 

The project will retain 187 jobs and create 10 new jobs, said the release.

 

However, state senators failed to do a an immediate effect vote after the bill passed both houses Dec. 3. The bill can not be signed into law by the governor

until given immediate effect.

 

Backers of the project are hoping enough senators show up to a session tomorrow to give the bill immediate effect. Otherwise, the bill would have to be

introduced to the new house and Senate.