The city is in the process of asking the federal government for a property transfer and has begun marketing the site to prospective developers as a state renaissance zone which would bring tax breaks. But because the renaissance zone status expires Dec. 31, the city and the Army are working to make the site transfer the fastest in history. They have accommodated our desire to get this done if at all possible by Dec. 31. It's a very cumbersome process that is very difficult to work through. Warren moved very quickly.
Most communities take things slower.
In order to help the city acquire the 153-acre site, the federal government has agreed to temporarily put the deed in escrow, preventing any other buyer from getting it. Federal officials will also consider a city application to have the property transferred free of charge, or sold below the market value. Otherwise, Kaspari says, the site would go to the highest bidder. The site is in the center of the city and is easily accessible to I-696 and major connecting freeways, to expressways to City and Metro airports and to waterfront shipping ports. There is also access to Conrail lines.