JUNE 28TH, 2022

HOWELL, MI - Plans for a new condo, driving circuit and motorsports complex in Howell are racing toward the finish line after local officials gave developers the green light to proceed on 273 acres of city-owned land.

Father-son development team Mark and Jordan Dick unveiled plans for Motorsports Gateway Howell, which they call an exclusive “automotive country club,” last fall.

Read more: Developers unveil plans for 2.2-mile ‘European-inspired’ race course, ‘garage condos’ in Howell

They envision a 2.2-mile European-designed track overlooked by two-story, 1,200-square-foot “garage condominiums,” where members can store automobiles and take in the race course from exterior balconies.

The proposition proved popular, as the developers have said 75% of the initial units are already reserved.

They hope to break ground soon on the project after receiving final approval for a planned-unit development for the property from Howell City Council in an unanimous on June 13.

The property is located in what is known as the “Loop Road area” north of I-96 between Michigan Avenue and Lucy Road and will be rezoned from single-family residential for the project.

“Since Jordan and Mark first approached the city with their vision, there has been nonstop momentum and excitement to bring this incredible asset to fruition. It continues to be an absolute pleasure to work with them on this venture,” Howell City Manager Erv Suida said in a statement. “Their impeccable character and attitude, coupled with their desire to compliment the community, have been evident throughout the entire process.”

The project will be rolled out in phases, according to city planning documents. The first includes a 1.4-mile driving course, 92 garage condos, a paddock building with outdoor event space and a public nature trail.

The pricing for the condos starts at about $408,000 for “founding owners,” and developers are still marketing the opportunity to sign-up for one online. The units are not intended to be used as primary residences, planning documents state.

Developers hope the circuit, designed using Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile safety standards, will be ready to drive in summer 2023.

“The idea that a new state-of-the-art track, that can have multiple configurations, is going to be so close to home is fantastic,” Vince Messina, one of the founding condo owners, said in a statement.

Future phases will bring a pit lane clubhouse, rentable member garages, added condo units and an extension of the circuit bringing it to 2.2 miles.

Developers also plan a roughly 35-acre “automotive innovation business park,” as well as a 10-acre mixed-use area with shopping, office rental space, restaurants and lodging, according to planning documents.

While much of the development will be reserved for members and condo owners, the business park and mixed-use area is intended to be open to the public, officials said.

“We couldn’t be more pleased with the city of Howell and the support of city council,” said Jordan Dick, co-founder of the project who has competed as a Formula BMW series and Trans Am series driver. “We are very excited to move this project forward and look ahead to what it will mean for the city of Howell and Detroit metropolitan area.”

The land was the subject of a previous failed development, and city officials have been trying to sell it since acquiring it in a 2012 lawsuit settlement, according to news reports.

Suida, the city manager, cited Howell’s reputation as a “friendly and welcoming community” one of the primary reasons developers chose the site.

“We are honored and sincerely look forward to the continued partnership and project success,” he said. “This unique development will complement an already great community with opportunities and improvements for many years to come.”

Lucas Smolcic Larson
MLive