EDC Extends Allen Edwin's Exclusive Option for Land Purchases at Three Meadows
The board unanimously granted a one-year extension
Hillsdale City Hall—At its Tuesday morning meeting, the Hillsdale Economic Development Corporation extended Allen Edwin Homes’ exclusive option for the purchase of city-owned land adjacent to the current Three Meadows subdivision.
In a unanimous vote, the EDC granted Allen Edwin Homes, the Portage-based Three Meadows developer, the exclusive right to the purchase of the property through June of 2026.
The board’s discussion was led by Economic Development Coordinator Sam Fry, who said that the extension would have to be granted before the exclusive option expired. Under the original purchase agreement from March of 2023, the expiration date had been set for June of 2025.
But after extending the option, Allen Edwin Homes will have an additional year to purchase the 12.67 acres that is scheduled to be Phase 2 of its Three Meadows development at Hallett St and Hidden Meadows Dr.
So far, Allen Edwin has purchased and started building on 9.96 acres.
According to Fry, the extension is reasonable because the City of Hillsdale’s policies are not as developer-friendly as other nearby areas.
“A lot of other cities around us. . . they pay for the infrastructure,” he said, citing Coldwater and Adrian as examples. “We’re asking them to float a lot of money.”
Fry called it a “reasonable request,” adding that the chances of Allen Edwin backing out of the deal are slim. He ultimately recommended that the board approve the extension, noting that the EDC’s decision “does not require council approval.”
Board Chair and Hillsdale Terminal CEO John Condon speculated that “cash flow” might be Allen Edwin’s reason for needing the extension, while board member Russel Richardson questioned why Allen Edwin would be requesting the extension.
"The EDC vote today gave an advantage to Allen Edwin Homes without any clear benefit to the citizens of Hillsdale," Richardson told the Hillsdalian. "If they want the property, they should buy it now."
The EDC unanimously passed the resolution to grant the extension.
Jacob Bruns
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