SEPTEMBER 17TH, 2021

Howell's largest piece of vacant land will be transformed into a motor sports complex with a driving circuit, more than 100 garage condos and a clubhouse lounge.

More future development planned for the land includes a mix of entertainment, restaurants, shopping and an automotive innovation park.  

Co-owners of Motorsports Gateway Howell, Jordan Dick and his father Mark Dick, said they expect the complex to spur economic development on the city's south side.

The complex will be developed in phases on about 270 acres north of Interstate 96, between D-19/Michigan Avenue and Lucy Road.

Jordan Dick said the motorsports complex will feature Michigan's largest exclusive automotive country club. 

Transforming a large swath of Howell

The first phase of the development will include a 2.2-mile driving circuit designed following Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile safety standards. 

Jordan Dick said he expects to break ground next summer. The circuit would be ready for vehicles by summer 2023.

He said the complex will appeal to automobile enthusiasts who drive race cars, vintage cars, classic trucks, motorcycles and other vehicles. 

"It will be a place for you to drive in a spirited manner in a safe way," Jordan Dick said. "You can kind of push your vehicle to the limit."

Mark Dick said the driving circuit will be inspired by European-style circuits, which are often through rolling, wooded areas such as the Howell property. 

"I think things like the stream and hills really add to the European theme of the road course where you are typically out in the woods," Mark Dick said. "Most in the U.S. are flat."

The driving circuit will feature an automated digital marshaling system with electronic flag displays, CCTV and several timing sectors. 

The first phase of construction will also feature 167 1,200-square-foot private garage condos on the driving circuit. Motorsports Gateway Howell will host a limited-attendance event in early October for people looking to reserve garage condos. For information related to the event, call Jeff Glover & Associates, 517-969-1100 or email Taylor@LiveUnreal.com.

Only people who own garage condos or sign up for Drivers Club memberships will be able to use the driving circuit and clubhouse lounge.

The clubhouse lounge will feature food and drink service, locker rooms with showers and a fitness center.

Jordan Dick is a competitive race car driver who recently sold his Novi-based high speed go-kart center, JD Racing Indoor Karting, to new owners. It is now Full Throttle Adrenaline Park.

He said he hopes to offer automobile enthusiasts unique experiences. 

"It will be a place where men and women can enjoy their vehicles."

In the coming years, much more could be constructed on the land.

Motorsports Gateway Howell is planning to develop a mixed-use area on the east portion of the property that could feature a mix of entertainment offerings, restaurants, shops and other businesses. 

"It would be complementary to what is in downtown Howell, which has great restaurants and retail," Jordan Dick said. 

He and his father are also planning to develop an auto innovation park on the west side of the property. It could feature commercial businesses, auto manufacturing facilities, autonomous vehicles and research and development. 

Will motorsports complex spur more development?

Mark Dick said he expects the complex to attract new businesses and redevelopment in the area. 

"It will be a destination that will spur additional economic development because a lot of people will be coming in for short, long and permanent stays," he said.

Howell Mayor Nick Proctor said he welcomes the investment in the community. 

"I personally believe that the motorsports complex will be a redevelopment tipping point for the South Michigan/D-19 corridor of our city and the greater Howell area," Proctor said in an email. 

"We’re really excited over (the Dicks) selecting and investing in Howell and Livingston County for their project," Proctor said. "We continue to work close with Jordan and his team to ensure the project runs smoothly and to break down any unforeseen barriers." 

In February, Howell city officials approved a $3 million lease-to-own agreement. The motorsports complex has a two-year lease, and rent is going toward the future purchase. 

Previous  plans for key parcel

City officials have been trying to sell the land since acquiring it in a 2012 lawsuit settlement.

A previous plan to build housing and commercial space fell through during the recession. The city ended up acquiring the property in a $2 million settlement. 

The previous owners of the land, Highland-Howell LLC, were in the process of selling the land to Ivanhoe-Huntley Homes, which had obtained almost all the necessary approvals from the city it would have needed to move forward.

The city planned to start construction of a road that would have looped around the property when those plans fell through, and the road was never built. Highland-Howell LLC sued the city for breach of contract for not building the road.

In 2017, Banoff Randle Real Estate signed a $3 million option to buy the land.

The real estate company proposed a plan for potentially hundreds of apartments and homes and retail. But the company let the option expire.

In 2020, city officials had two different $3 million offers to purchase the land and voted to move forward with negotiations with the motorsports complex. Biltmore Development also offered to purchase the property for a new housing development.

Jennifer Eberbach
Livingston Daily

jeberbach@livingstondaily.com