Michael Betzold is Detroit free lance writer. He is a former reporter for the Detroit Free Press.
By Michael Betzold
Hold on a second.
Plans to develop the site of Tiger Stadium at Michigan and Trumbull as a showcase facility for the Police Athletic League’s youth sports programs hit a bump in the road Thursday in Detroit City Council chambers.
The council’s Planning and Economic Committee postponed a decision on transferring the city-owned property at “the Corner” to the city’s Economic Development Corporation after questions were raised about PAL’s plans to carpet the historic grounds with artificial turf and to limit public access to the site.
In his presentation to the committee, PAL CEO Tim Richey himself brought up the issue of possible health concerns including possible carcinogens related to the controversial practice of using crumbed tire infill on new-generation artificial turf.
Under questioning on the issue by council member Mary Sheffield, Richey said PAL has concluded turf is necessary to support the extensive programming PAL plans for the site, including many youth sports as well as possible other events including movies and telecasts of Tigers away games. He added that PAL’s research concluded that artificial turf poses no greater injury risk than natural grass. But then, saying the health of children is PAL’s top priority, Richey said a final decision on whether to use artificial turf has not been made.
Committee chair Gabe Leland noted he has received “robust commentary” from the public on the PAL plan and asked Richey whether people could continue to have access to the grounds for pick-up games—as has been the case in recent years under the volunteer efforts of the Navin Fields Grounds Crew to clear and maintain the field.
“I want to make sure it will remain a community play field,” Leland said. Richey replied that PAL envisions groups of visitors would be able to “walk on the field and play catch” at certain designated hours during the week. He did not specify the amount of hours or whether admission would be charged.
After a half-hour of discussion and another half-hour of public comment—much of which focused on questions about artificial turf—the committee adjourned the issue to next week without taking action on the proposed land transfer.
The land transfer is the next official step in plans for the PAL facility and for the Larson Realty Group to construct apartments, condos, and townhouses along Trumbull Avenue where Tiger Stadium’s outfield grandstands and bleachers once stood. Eric Larson said at the meeting that 20 percent of the apartment units would be “affordable.” Plans for the site also include retail development along Michigan.
Richey said that PAL has raised $5.5 million toward its goal of $8 million for the project and hopes to break ground this March. A key part of the plan is the award of $3 million in federal grant money dedicated to preserving a public park at Michigan and Trumbull. Thomas Linn, the president of the Old Tiger Stadium Conservancy, which has partnered with PAL to develop its plan, says the money must be allocated by October 2016.
Some question whether the PAL plan, especially if it includes artificial turf, should qualify for the grant money.
Richey said at the meeting that the PAL facility would include space for “interactive exhibits” geared to educate youth on various historic athletes and their achievements.
A public hearing by the full City Council, originally set for Nov. 17, will now be postponed until the planning and economic development committee concludes its hearing and makes a recommendation on the land transfer.
The city has owned the property since 1977, when it took over the site to help finance $18 million in renovations for Tiger Stadium, which the team abandoned after the 1999 season. Professional baseball had been played on the site since 1896.
