Detroit denies proposed concrete crusher project in Core City

Developers vied Monday for another chance at operating a concrete crushing facility in Core City in a residential area but city officials denied them once again.

In December, developer Murray Wikol, head of ProVisions LLC and Can-Am International Trade Crossing, appealed Detroit's Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental department's (BSEED) denial of the project at 4445 Lawton St. in Detroit. In a letter to the Board of Zoning Appeals, a representative of Wikol sought to adjourn the appeal hearing until Wikol's team can resolve a public nuisance lawsuit the city filed against him in April. However, board members on Monday decided against waiting because Wikol's team already pushed to adjourn two hearings prior.

Daniel Arking, an attorney for the city's law department, emphasized that the proposed development did not fit criteria for the area. Some concerns Arking raised include the environmental impact on surrounding residential areas and properties, nor is it consistent with the city's master plan designation as a light industrial site.

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"Even though much time has elapsed, any efforts by the appellant to rectify this situation or mitigate these impacts with new plans since the Dec. 20 decision or in the future may be well and good, and may be of interest in a new special land use hearing before BSEED. But those efforts simply were not made before BSEED made its decision over seven months ago," Arking said.

Wikol, who hoped the appeal would have been approved, told the Free Press he had to haul out millions of pounds of materials. He said his team has done some cleanup of the property and is willing to change development plans or relocate. The site contained piles of materials.

"This was a site where there was a lot of illegal dumping. We've done a lot to clean it up. It's probably the best it’s been in years," Wikol said. "If the city wants us to go somewhere else in Detroit, we’re open to that but you’ve got to communicate. We’ve cleaned it up to the best of our ability."

Wikol said he's contemplating any possible next steps.

Community members have aggressively and publicly stood against the project since late last year, along with Mayor Mike Duggan. The mayor, in a Feb. 13 letter to the board, said the operation would pose adverse public health, noise, and safety hazards for residents.

"The proposed use would lack the correct screening to shield residents, aggravate pre-existing conditions in the neighborhood, and overexpose vulnerable populations to harmful emissions. These consequences are inconsistent with both City law and the public interest, and I urge you to affirm BSEED’s denial accordingly," Duggan said in a letter.

Dozens more pleaded to board members to deny the project on Monday, including U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar.

"I believe that this facility would create environmental hazards to the residents," Thanedar said. "I strongly oppose putting this factory in the middle of residential areas. I think it's time for us to put people over profits."

More:'No concrete crusher' in Detroit's Core City, advocates say

Among the community organizers is Vanessa Butterworth, a resident of Core City, which is on the city's west side near Woodbridge. Butterworth has battled with the developer and city over the project and called Monday's decision, a "new day" for the city though she feels there's still cleanup to be done at the site.

"He still refuses to clean up the many 1-2 story concrete debris mounds illegally stored on his lot that are posing a health hazard to our community," Butterworth said.

Dozens more expressed concerns at Monday's meeting, including nearby resident Chelsea Hyduk, who stood against it due to concerns about deterring future development in the neighborhood.

"Core City is so ripe for housing development. This project would deter any housing developers coming to the neighborhood from thinking of building," Hyduk said.

Southwest Detroit resident Deb Sumner called it an "abrasive toxic operation" that would be "injurious" to Detroiters.

Dana Afana is the Detroit city hall reporter for the Free Press. Contact her: [email protected] or 313-635-3491. Follow her on Twitter: @DanaAfana.