A major redevelopment project at the former Northville Downs horse racing site broke ground on Monday.
The development, named “The Downs,” will include more than 400 residential units and retail on the site of the former track.
The plan also includes 15 acres of parks and green space. You can find the final site plan here.
Residential plans include single-family homes, townhouses, row houses, apartments, condominiums. The development will also create 338 public parking spots.
Northville Downs opened in 1944 as the first nighttime harness racing track in Michigan, built on the former site of the Wayne County Fair.
The owners of Northville Downs have been trying to move the track to a site in Plymouth Township. The family-owned racing operation filed a federal lawsuit against the township in February, accusing the municipality of extortion and other illegal activity over its relocation plans.
The lawsuit claims Plymouth Township wants Northville Downs to pay an additional $5 million over the millions it’s already invested in purchasing the land. (Read more on this here)
Check out aerial footage from the site after groundbreaking below: