Please
come to a public meeting Monday, March 29, 2004 at the
Michigan State Fairgrounds Community Arts Building
1120 W. State Fair Avenue
6:30 p.m. Presentation followed by public input.
(For more information, come at 4:30)
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is considering putting a
Detroit Intermodal Freight Terminal (DIFT) at the Michigan State Fairgrounds
and/or expanding the yard in Ferndale. A DIFT is a transfer yard where 55
ton containers are taken off truck trailers and loaded onto trains or taken off
trains and loaded onto trucks. Every time one of these 50 foot long metal
containers is dropped onto a truck or train, it reverberates like a 50' metal
drum. This operation would go on 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This
does not belong in residential areas!
In addition, DIFT may take 120 acres of the Fairgrounds to expand the railroad
tracks. They do not have to pay for this public land - the railroad can
just condemn it. They do not have to pay taxes to the City or the State.
Our Federal highway tax money would finance this expansion.
Paul Nye of The Ford Motor Company stated publically that Ford has changed its
method of operation and no longer needs this type of facility. He has
repeatedly asked MDOT for justification of the need to expand Intermodal Freight
capability in the Detroit area saying their studies are outdated. MDOT has
not replied. They have said that the money has been allocated by the feds;
and if it isn't spent by a certain date, it will no longer be available.
The Huron Clinton Metropolitan Authority has a proposal to put a metro park at
the Fairgrounds that would still allow the annual State Fair to be held there.
This is a most desirable type of development, and the DIFT would kill that
possibility.
Please come to the meeting and VOICE YOUR OPINION LOUD AND CLEAR.
If you can't make it to the meeting, call 1-800-780-7221,
or email MDOT at: parsonsb@michigan.gov
ICARE II
Inter-County Citizens Achieving Regional Excellence
Co-Chairpersons: Byna Camden, 313-368-3333 and Beth Holland, 248-790-1808