Northville Downs suing Township over new racetrack

Northville Downs is suing Plymouth Township after city officials ended talks with the harness racing group about building a new horse track in the township, according to a lawsuit.

The harness racing group is asking for $10 million after plans to build the new track fell through because township officials wanted the group to build new amenities in the township worth millions in exchange for the new track, something the group argues “amounted to extortion,” according to the lawsuit.

In addition, the harness racing group wants a judge to force township officials to continue moving forward with the track’s development plans, according to the lawsuit.

“The Township makes extravagant, unlawful, and unconstitutional demands for $5,000,000 in cash, drone shows, soccer fields, pickleball courts, and other items worth millions more to obtain regulatory approval for NVD (Northville Downs),” the complaint states.

The harness racing group said it was lured by township officials to purchase a 128-acre piece of land at the southwest corner of Five Mile and Ridge roads to build the track, according to the lawsuit.

Plymouth Township officials initially approved plans for the new track in February 2023 and forwarded them to the planning commission, who unanimously approved the plans along with additional community amenities in June 2023, though some residents voiced concerns about the track at that June meeting.

Although the township is entitled to some of the profits from the track, the harness racing group accused township officials of making additional demands, including the $5 million in cash, Fourth of July drone shows ($100,000), soccer fields ($250,000), pickleball courts ($100,000), a walking trail ($400,000) and annual community events, according to the lawsuit.

The Michigan Horse Racing Law of 1995 says a municipality that hosts a horse-racing track may “not assess or collect an excise or license tax or fee from a person licensed under this act based upon an activity performed under this act” other than the breakage fees. Northville collected roughly $200,000 per year in breakage fees, according to city data.

Patch reached out to Plymouth Township Supervisor Kurt Heise for comment in response to the lawsuit and will update this story when we hear back.

Northville Downs has been looking for a new location since its property at Seven Mile and Sheldon roads was sold five years ago. New developers are planning to build homes, stores and parks on the property.

The last races at the track in Northville were earlier this month. The harness racing track has been a main attraction in Northville since 1944 and is the oldest and only remaining nighttime harness racing track in Michigan.

by Harnesslink Media, with files from Patch.com, Detroit News, and Hometown Life