Northville Township is hoping to have a contractor begin on the demolition of the Robert Scott Correctional facility as soon as this April or May, according to Township Manager Chip Snider.

Snider said the township's engineer is currently talking to contracting firms to see who would want to do the demolition of the prison, how long it would take, and what it would cost. He expects to be able to bring a demolition contract to the Northville Board of Trustees for approval in March. Then the contractor could begin this spring.

Snider said demolition would take approximately 9 months.

The prison was shut down in 2009, and the township bought the property at Five Mile and Beck roads from the state for $1 in September.

Snider said the township has been able to clean up a couple of legal stipulations, getting the state and city of Detroit to agree to not use their right of first refusal to take back the property.

>>Read more about the legal stipulations of the prison property.

In January, Township Supervisor Bob Nix said early conversations with contractors indicated that contractors might be able demolish the buildings to their foundation for their salvage value, costing the township nothing.

Snider said the demolition would also be appealing to contractors because the prison fence acts as a natural barrier to trespassers.

"They can keep their equipment inside and protected, as well as keep the building protected when it's in a demo state," he said. "So having a prison fence, as tired as we all are of seeing it, will become beneficial for the demolition project."

The Township has not yet made a decision on what the 52-acre land will be used for after demolition. Ideas range from from a recreational park to retail to a lightweight industrial park.