State Senate Passes Bill to Sell Robert Scott Correctional Facility

The bill introduced by state Sen. Patrick Colbeck (R-Canton) to sell the was passed Tuesday morning, the senator told Northville Patch.

Senate Bill 425 will now go on to the state House of Representatives for approval. If it clears that stage, it will head to Gov. Rick Snyder's office.

The vacant former prison is located on the Plymouth Township border at Five Mile and Beck roads. It is also near M-14. Township trustees and staff have long called the property an eyesore and indicated that they'd like to see the property commercially developed.

According to language in the bill, the township will have the first opportunity to purchase the property.

"They've indicated they won’t buy it," Colbeck said of the township. "They’ll allow us to sell it at auction."

"(The bill) opens the doors for economic development at a key gateway area," said the freshman senator, who represents Northville.

According to information from the senator's office, the state's Department of Corrections spends about $100,000/year on maintenance and security costs for the prison and the adjacent vacant property in Plymouth Township.

Previously, the township's board of trustees sought to block a rumored plan to push for a at the site. Ultimately, the plan was dropped.

The area has seen development and growth with new tech businesses moving into the area. to that part of the township.

On Monday, that Snyder and Wayne County officials would attempt to draw more businesses to the area, including the Robert Scott facility, during a trip to Asia this week.