Wixom's city council approves sale of part of Ford's shuttered assembly plant

The facility was shut down back in 2007.

A source tells Action News, Menards is the prospective buyer for approximately 45 acres of the space, which sits near Grand River and I-96. That would still leave Ford and Wixom with 239 acres of unused land.

The Wixom Assembly Plant was supposed to undergo a major renovation and ultimately become an alternative energy park. Back in 2009 local, state and Ford representatives held a huge press conference at the facility announcing that three companies were going to set up shop, creating 4,000 jobs.

The companies were supposed to produce things like solar panels, wind turbines and other green energy technology.

The planned transformation never materialized.

According to Wixom's city manager and a Ford spokesperson, government loans the companies wanted to help pay for the new facility fell through, so the firms bolted.

Neither Ford nor Wixom officials will publicly confirm whether Menards is expected to move in.

Council still has to approve a zoning ordinance before a new retail development can be built. Council members decided to wait on a zoning vote so they can review potential site plans.

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