We don't know about you, but we no longer believe in coincidences, especially when it comes to Troy politics.
When it can be shown that Ruth Johnson and Bill Schutte were “encouraged” to become involved in Troy's politics after a certain County Commissioner started making phone calls, one begins to believe that political decisions are being made well outside of Troy.
An interesting coincidence occurred at the November 25th City Council meeting, where is was announced that federal money had been secured to purchase the property under the Transit Center, the ownership of which Grand Sakwa was disputing. Meanwhile, over in the Michigan Supreme Court, the justices were informing Troy that they didn't care to hear anything about the dispute.
But the real question exists as to why Grand Sakwa sued Troy in the first place. We've covered part of the story in a previous post, but it's come to light that the Transit Center had a major supporter that nobody was aware of: Gary Sakwa.
In late July, 2006, there was a ceremonial presentation of funds to get the project underway. It was covered by the Daily Tribune. On hand for the ceremony was the developer of the property, Gary Sakwa. Mr Sakwa was thrilled to have the Transit Center next to his property, calling it “dream” that was “coming to fruition.” He continued, crowing, “We are looking at a nice center one day.” (See the attached images of the story from the Free Press.)
(It's also interesting to note that then-State Rep Bob Gosselin called the project “vibrant” and believed it would bring people to attractions in Troy and Birmingham.)
So what turned Gary “the transit center is a dream come true” Sakwa into Gary “I'm suing to get the property back” Sakwa?
We can't be completely sure, but we have a theory.
We have to travel back to 2007, when the Richardson Development Group announced “The Pavilions of Troy,” a planned use development (PUD) that included a mixture of retail stores and residential living. It was located at the property of the former K-Mart headquarters. The Richardson Group went as far as having the development approved by Troy City Council.
For some reason, the Richardson Group couldn't complete the project, and in 2009, Grand Sakwa stepped in and tried to continue the development, attempting to purchase the property for around $15 million.
However, Sakwa was not happy with the original planned use scheme and sought modifications, attempting to exclude the residential portion of the development.
In October 2009, when the Planning Commission was presented with Sakwa's proposed modifications, they found that Sakwa's ideas would eviscerate the original plan. The Planning Commission then rebuffed Sakwa's ideas and suggested he present a new concept for the property.
By January of 2010, Sakwa couldn't close on the deal fast enough and lost the property to the Forbes Frankel group, the owners of the Somerset Collection. While we are unable to uncover the details of the sale, rumors persist that Sakwa lost money on the venture.
So, we must ask: Is it a coincidence that six months later, in July of 2010, Sakwa sued the Troy to get the Transit Center proper back?
And that's just the first of lingering questions.
Is Sakwa the kind of man who would seek a pound of flesh from Troy taxpayers because his failed venture? Could be, especially when Crain's Detroit Business notes that Mr. Sakwa has a reputation for bringing suit against municipalities.
Furthermore, is it a coincidence that the Supreme Court decided against Troy the very day it was announced that Federal money was secured to purchase the property?
We're not sure about the answers to these questions, nor are we sure that our theory is correct.
But we do know that Troy is proceeding with the Eminent Domain action against Sakwa. And we'll be watching.
