Former Trenton Mayor Weighs in on Riverside Hospital
"The City taxpayers would be on the hook for the demolition with the hopes of selling the property for enough that would recover their costs." -- Former Trenton Mayor Gerald Brown
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Letter to the Editor:
The Patch has written several articles about the status of the former Riverside Hospital property and people have posted their comments about what they think should be done with the condition of the site.
I understand their frustration, but making demands of the City to take on the responsibility to demolish the privately owned site is not that easy of a process, in fact, it is very difficult to accomplish.
I've read that the current owner of the property, for whatever reason, has not allowed the City's Engineering Department to have access to the property, so that they can determine the current condition in order for them to provide the City's Dangerous Building Board a report for them to act on.
Seeking a court order to gain access is an option that can be exercised and may have already occurred.
Should the Board decide that the buildings are to be demolished, City officials would then contact the owner, the owner complies with the order and the problem goes away.
In the event the owner is not willing to cooperate with an ordered abatement of hazardous materials (asbestos, etc,) and demolition, the City may take on the responsibility of the demolition by acquiring another court order and proceed with the razing of the buildings.
The City would have to either pay cash or obtain a loan from a financial institution and make the required payments.
A lien would be placed on the property and upon the future sale, the City would be reimbursed for its costs if enough money was made at the sale.
With this being said, keep in mind that the estimated price for a total abatement and demolition is approximately 2 million dollars (could be more) and the owner paid $450,000 for the property over 3 years ago.
The owner might do the math and not pay the taxes on the property and walk away from it. It would then be foreclosed on by the county and the City could end up with it, if they chose to take it.
It would take a few years for the foreclosure process to take place and not a solution that solves any immediate frustrations. The City taxpayers would be on the hook for the demolition with the hopes of selling the property for enough that would recover their costs.
This is a rolling of the dice gamble and may not be in the best interests of the City residents because there would be no certainty that the property sale could absorb the demolition.
As we have read, the owner has stated to City officials that there is an alternate plan for the Riverside Hospital site and that the original development plan appears to be going to the City of Riverview on a property that does not have the deed restrictions that Henry Ford Health Systems has imposed on the Riverside site.
I hope, and I believe, that City officials and the owner will come to a mutually agreed upon solution that will move the revised Riverside property development forward.
Name calling, such as by one person who posted their opinion on the issue, is not the mature way to getting things done.
The Mayor and Council have options that I expect will be exercised in a manner that will satisfy the residents near the hospital site and the entire community.
If not, then they will have an accountability issue with our citizens.
Jerry Brown
Trenton Resident
sine-of-the-times
8:41 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
IF, IF, IF the property was not neglected for 10.5 years, I wouldn't be complaining about the place. I care less how long it's vacant as long as it looks like a real building that is in use, with real windows, signs, etc, just no one in the parking lot and no one breaking in. No one would be complaining. HOW LONG was Mayor BROWN IN CHARGE of oversight on that property?- ALL of them, save a few months since November. How long has the blight ordinance been there...a very long time. WHY WAS IT NOT ENFORCED SINCE DAY ONE?? Well, when city officials tell you "not to ruffle any feathers" and "let's not upset negotiations and get him (Nasir) to do something" they find out that THAT DOES NOT WORK WITH NASIR. You start what should have been done a LONG time ago, and yes, the trouble is that, NOW, drastic measures must be taken, because it was ALLOWED to get so bad.
sine-of-the-times
8:41 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
...Why wasn't the window replaced the first time it was broken? And why was it broken - because someone broke in and vandalized it. Why was and still is not there a security guard on patrol? Do you think several police officers need to be taken off the streets to arrest trespassers there? Do you know that my tax hike was below Trenton's average tax hike this year- um, lower property values I assume? This is an albatross for sure, yes, NOW it is, but it didn't have to be. Nasir is surely an owner out of a long list, but he has repeatedly VIOLATED the blight ordinance, and he has NEVER done work on that place that has been quality work. Had another business owner assumed RESPONSIBILITY for what he purchased, and took care to replace and repair the place in s SHORT period of time, we'd not be having this conversation. Nasir has broken promises and not met deadlines, and acts like he's confused and amazed. Wait till you hear what he's tricked Riverview city into on our other corner nearest Trenton. I still to this day believe to this day that Nasir was strung along when he bought the property or he is that inept to not know that there was a deed restriction and the city allowed it to happen. It was not until I went to Mr Wagner, Mayor Stack and Council and they pushed the envelope, that ANYTHING positive happened. Don't criticize them for the monstrosity that they inherited.
sine-of-the-times
8:41 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
...Well, be careful what you wish for, because Nasir does as little as possible to preserve his profits...take the parking lot F...see a tree growing there?...do you know how many years I asked for weed removal - which is part of city ordinance? Well, my prayers were answered when ONE WEED, yes, the tallest weed, I'll give him that, was cut to the same level as the rest of the weeds - BEAUTIFUL....the signs in front of the building painted the same color as what the sign should be painted...yes bright white primer is his answer - BEAUTIFUL...windows replaced yes thank you a few replaced, the rest still the same blown out mess - BEAUTIFUL...I COULD GO ON AND ON- anyone still reading - try to shut me up.
Ron
1:29 am on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
I guess its just a sign of the times then....
cscharlt
11:12 am on Thursday, March 7, 2013
In all due respect Mr. Former Mayor, the building hasn't been in use for as long as I can recall having lived in Trenton. The fact that city hall hasn't been able to arbitrate between HFHS and prospective buyers to put a business in prime downtown waterfront real estate is pathetic. While I respect the scenarios you framed and understand in reality there isn't a whole lot that can be done in the real world - what this shows is the inability for the city of Trenton to draw viable business that entice commerce and home sales in this city. Other possibilities like the Bear Claw in the old A&W building, and also misses for Trader Joes or Whole Foods in other nearby buildings just goes to show that this area does not match the demographics that these businesses target - businesses that patch readers have almost unanimously agreed they would like to see move into our area.
So, while we sit and wait for days/weeks/months for something to happen with this property, the younger educated generation (much like myself) with money to spend and houses to renovate begin to regret our decision to move back to the area we grew up in. My family often leaves the city to do 99% of our dining, 100% of our shopping, and now am looking elsewhere for real estate (don't even get me started on the rental houses up the street form me). So in summary, by all means take your time making something happen with this property.
jones john bill
8:25 am on Friday, March 8, 2013
I for one love riverside it's been a fun playground of mine for a while with lots of backstory , the shit you see in there is insane and the roof is beautiful on full moons , looking over the Detroit river to Canada , it's so peaceful and escaping , I really hope it takes a long time for demolition & could care less if youre mad or call it a eye sore, the place is history and a good thrill i've even fell asleep in there before , besides the black mold I really love this building :-)