Millage proposed over failed Allen Park studio

millage proposal for failed Unity Studios in Allen Park

Photographer: WXYZ
Copyright 2012 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Regular Photo Size

See Results

Posted: 02/14/2012

(WXYZ) - The Allen Park City Council is trying to find a way to pay off the millions owed over the failed Unity Studio Project.

Tonight at 7, council members will consider putting a millage request on the May ballot.

It would be a four year, four mil tax that would cost residents $4 dollars for every $1,000 of property.

The request comes after the city decided to fund the Unity Studio project in 2009 with the goal of creating a place for filmmakers.

The 7 Action News Investigators were the first to expose that the hundreds of jobs promised with the Unity Studios project never materialized.

The millage would pay nearly $3 million dollars in debt on the studio site.

Without the tax increase, the Mayor of Allen Park says there’s no way city leaders can balance the budget.

Voters rejected a similar proposal three months ago.

It's been a hot button issue with Allen Park residents.

In a press release sent out in 2009 announcing the studio, state and city leaders said it would employ thousands and be “an economic development blockbuster”—not a budget buster.