Major development proposed for former Tecumseh Products site

A major $25 million redevelopment project has been proposed for the former Tecumseh Products property that could transform the blighted 55-acre site. If realized, zoning use would change from industrial to mix-use including the addition of retail, professional and light industrial space. 

Developer Jason Miller will present his vision of the project to Tecumseh City Council at the regular meeting on Monday, April 4. Miller and his wife Kristie have worked on the proposal since signing a purchase agreement a year ago with Tecumseh Food & Machinery LLC. A closing is expected in May or early June.

During the due diligence process, Jason said they have received full cooperation from Tecumseh Products and the Environmental Protection Agen-cy (EPA) regarding the ongoing containment and cleanup of contaminated soil. The cleanup will continue with agreements between Tecumseh Products and the EPA.

In the redevelopment proposal, Millers are planning to demolish all but the new Orbitec building that fronts Patterson Street and the two-story office building on the northwest corner of Ottawa and Patterson Street. The 160,000 square foot Orbitec facility will be rehabbed and the 30,000 square foot office building may be divided into two or more separate spaces.

“The heavy industrial look will be gone,” Jason said.

Plans for new construction include:

• Light industrial buildings along the west side of South Maumee Street ranging in size from 20,000 to 30,000 square feet

• Retail spaces from 1,500 to 3,000 square feet

• Professional buildings from 3,000 to 10,000 square feet

• Public park with picnic area, basketball courts and space for other recreational activities

• Large green space

Jason was raised in Dundee while Kristie grew up in nearby Ida. In 2006, the family founded Great Lakes Aerial (GLA) Maintenance & Construction Company, headquartered in Dundee with two facilities in Monroe. The company constructs, erects and maintains aerial structures, such as communication towers with 55 employees and customers across the country and Puerto Rico.

While the redevelopment project in Tecumseh is not intended for GLA, the idea of transforming the property for other uses came to Jason while driving his son to Saturday morning soccer games at Zorn Park.

“I fell in love with this community and I’m a man who likes a challenge,” said Jason.

The Millers moved to the Tecumseh area, settling in Franklin Township, and have enrolled their two children in Tecumseh Public Schools, citing the local school district as one of the reasons they moved here.

In a prepared statement for city council, Jason wrote:

“Because of my connection to southeast Michigan and this community, the tough development of the Tecumseh Products site has taken on personal meaning for me.

“I bring to the table a wealth of experience and success developing commercial properties in Monroe, Michigan. With my state and national connections we were able to bring in businesses from Ann Arbor and provide new facilities for local businesses searching for a better location. With each success I have found a passion for creating opportunities and seeing businesses grow from the environment that we create.

“Selective partnerships with business owners that have a strong entrepreneurial spirit and are willing to commit long term to a community are key to our success. We believe in this community and intend to dedicate the next five years to developing this property along with others in the area. Tecumseh will have a completed development project that will not only create jobs but will be a building block for the young entrepreneurial mind.

“I look forward to your support in enriching our community.”