Approval to Explore Manufacturing HQ as Potential Site for Township Offices

Cascade Township Board Gives Approval to Explore Manufacturing HQ as Potential Site for Township Offices
 
Cascade Township, Michigan, Oct. 24, 2019 – During its Wednesday meeting, the Cascade Township Board gave approval for Township officials to explore the use of a vacant manufacturing headquarters as a potential site for a consolidated Township office.
 
The Board signed a purchase agreement with an option to purchase the property at 5920 Tahoe Drive SE after the successful completion of a due diligence period that ends on Dec. 12. If the property does not meet agreed-upon specifications, the Township can end the agreement.
 
The building, which is occupied by ADAC Automotive, features 12,930 square feet on 1.23 acres in Centennial Park – enough space to allow all departments to be under the same roof. Cascade’s offer of $1.4 million was accepted and below the asking price of $1.495 million.
 
The decision comes as the Cascade Fire Department works to complete its study of potential new spaces to expand or relocate. This study is the result of the 2018-19 Facilities and Services Study, which identified repairs and upgrades to the Township’s fire stations as the top priority of residents. One of the top locations identified in March is the current location of Fire Station 1, which shares space with Township offices at 2865 Thornhills Ave. SE.
 
“The former ADAC Automotive space checks a lot of the boxes for us,” said Township Manager Ben Swayze. “It is an existing facility in good shape that will require some remodeling. It could provide us with enough space to consolidate all our departments, including the Building Department, and save the additional rent and utility costs we are currently paying at that location.
 
“It is conveniently located and offers easy and plentiful parking for residents and other visitors who come to Township Hall. Facilities of this caliber are rare in this market, so the purchase agreement secured this property as a viable option for the future. An extensive due-diligence period will give us the time we need to do a thorough review and to hear from residents.”
 
Wednesday’s offer by the Township is the next step in the process where the Township has sought input from residents and business owners on the services and facilities that are most used and important to them. Working with architectural and engineering firm Progressive AE, Township officials conducted a six-month study which sought input via an online survey, community visioning sessions and social media engagement.
 
Residents indicated the Township’s fire services was its top concern. The Township has hired Progressive AE to seek a fire station design specialist to conduct a detailed fire study to explore options for the future of Fire Station 1. Preliminary results of the fire study is available online here.
 
The Township will host a public engagement meeting to present more details, collect feedback from residents and business owners, and suggest next steps. Residents and business owners will be invited to the engagement meeting via the website, mail and social media when a date is finalized.
 
About Cascade Township
Home to more than 18,000 residents, Cascade Township is committed to serving the public by providing the finest community services possible with respect, efficiency and integrity. With the Thornapple River at its heart, Cascade Township is recognized as an excellent place to live, work, play and raise a family. For more information, visit www.cascadetwp.com.
 
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