An offer by Huron-Clinton Metroparks to sell the Flat Rock Dam to the city of Flat Rock for $5 remains on the table, along with $4.5 million to install a fish ladder and support dam operations.
The park system’s board Thursday approved a motion giving Flat Rock 10 days to consider a letter of intent so the city can take it up at their Nov. 17 council meeting. The renewed offer increased funds from an offer of $3 million in September.
The board passed the motion without discussion.
“After a productive conversation, our board has agreed to revise the (letter of intent) to sell the Flat Rock Dam for $5 and to provide $4.5 million to install a fish ladder and support operations,” Metroparks said in a statement.
Flat Rock Mayor Steven Beller said the city has 90 days to conduct its due diligence if the council decides to sign the letter of intent. He said he wants to know more about the dam’s condition and how much it may cost to operate and maintain. Beller wants information about any toxic chemicals around the dam and possible options for removing or handling, such as encapsulation.
“I would like us to continue to move forward,” he said. “But just like if you go purchase a house, you see something you like (but) when you have the inspectors in and you get all the information, all of a sudden, it may not be so attractive.”
The Michigan Department of Energy, Great Lakes, and Environment has classified the dam as a “high hazard potential,” which means the dam is located in an area where a failure could seriously damage critical infrastructure or the environment or cause loss of life.
A spokesperson for the Huron-Clinton Metroparks, Danielle Mauter, has said the dam is in fair condition but will continue to degrade.
The Huron-Clinton Metroparks staff recommended a partial removal of the Flat Rock Dam in August, but the board at its September meeting delayed voting and instead renewed an offer to sell the dam to the city for $5.
Other options considered during a feasibility study for the dam included leaving the dam in place but improving fish passage or total removal of the dam, which the executive director said previously would cost tens of millions of dollars.
As part of partially removing the dam, Metroparks staff had recommended installing rock arches to maintain wetlands and water levels in the impoundment behind the dam, though they said sediment buildup is a concern with leaving any of the dam in place. Some nearby residents say the impoundment has provided an important source of recreation and helps property values.
The Flat Rock dam, built in the 1920s, used to supply hydroelectric power to the Ford Motor Co. Lamp Factory. It assembled headlights and other lighting systems from 1923-50, when the factory stopped operating.
