DETROIT – A Brightmoor resident who built a community gathering place on his Burgess Street property says years-long efforts to expand the park have stalled amid disputes with the city and a separate legal fight with the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department.
Michael Williams named the park after his late mother, Etheldra Mae Williams, and says it has become a neighborhood hub, hosting events ranging from live music to classic car shows.
“We’ve just been able to create opportunities for our vendors and for people who appreciate what it is that we’re doing here in the community,” Williams said.
He said he has tried to buy nearby parcels to grow the park, properties he said the Detroit Land Bank Authority had promised to sell him.
Williams warned the uncertainty could force him to shut the park down.
“If they can’t do it, they can say, Mr. Williams, we’re not going to sell you this property. Please go away. And at that point I will go away. The park will close,” he said.
City officials say the expansion talks are complicated by ongoing litigation between Williams and DWSD over property about a block north of the park.
DWSD acquired two homes and six parcels from Williams for the Brightmoor Stormwater Improvement Project, which the department says is intended to reduce basement backups and street flooding.
“We have legal title to the 2 homes and the six parcels. The only thing that is in dispute is the price,” DWSD Director Gary Brown said. “He wants a different amount of money than everybody has negotiated.”
Brown said that until the dispute is resolved, other property Williams wants to purchase is not available.
“Once we’ve settled our legal issue with regards to the cost of his properties, the city will be more than willing to sit down with him and discuss any other properties that he might want to purchase,” he said.