DETROIT, MI -- Selling the old Michigan State Fairgrounds to a company that includes former NBA star Magic Johnson turned out to be a lot easier than redeveloping the 160-acre property that's been mothballed for nearly seven years.

Plans to put the fairgrounds back into productive use have been in flux since Magic Plus LLC agreed to purchase the site in October 2013, a deal that's been recast to extend contractural deadlines for holding public meetings and submitting site plans.

Critics remain skeptical about the project, which is changing but has most recently called for a mix of retail, multi-family residential and senior housing.

There's no target date for breaking ground at the property, which Gov. Rick Snyder authorized for sale in 2012 by signing legislation authorizing an immediate sale and transfer of the land to the state Land Bank Fast Track Authority.

Snyder's action came after his predecessor, Jennifer Granholm, canceled the state fair in 2010, saying Michigan could no longer afford to subsidize it, a decision that made Michigan the only Midwestern state and one of few nationwide without a state fair.

But even with no visible sign of progress on the site in the area of Woodward Avenue and 8 Mile Road, representatives of both the city of Detroit and the state say progress is being made and they remain committed.

A partner in Magic LLC says big things are close to happening.

"We're close. Just a bunch of housekeeping things" to do, said Joel Ferguson, founder and president of Ferguson Development LLC, one of the Magic partners, who said the current plan for the property is "a lot better than the first."

Past plans for the fairgrounds have received lukewarm response, criticized for having been too generic, and lacking of green space and public transportation options.

With the plans in flux, the state Land Bank in the spring granted Magic's request to extend deadlines in a purchase agreement signed in October 2013. That move pushed back the deadline to Aug. 15 for developers to receive Detroit Planning Commission approval of new plans.

The new deadline for Detroit City Council and state approvals of the plan have been extended to Dec. 31, according to Dave Murray, a spokesman for the state.

"The state has granted extensions as the developer continues working through the various approval processes with the city," Murray said in an email to MLive. "This is an important project, given its size and the opportunity to bring additional economic development and jobs to Detroit.

"City leaders want to work with the developers to make sure that the best possible use comes from the property, and that it's a quality project from start to finish -- a common goal for everyone involved," Murray said. "The city is our lead partner in the development of this key site, and we have a great relationship with Detroit leaders."

The former Michigan State Fairgrounds are located at 8 Mile Road and Woodward Avenue in Detroit.

In a March 31 letter, F. Thomas Lewand, group executive for jobs and the economy in Detroit, asked the state to grant the extensions "given the productive nature of the site plan revision process over the past few months."

David Williams, a senior advisor to Detroit Mayor Michael Duggan, said the nature of the task ahead requires patience.

"It's an incredibly large piece of property and an incredibly complicated deal with a lot of moving parts," Williams said. "We're just making sure we are doing a good job and bringing something forward (that's supported by the) community and making sure not to rush things."

The development includes unusual steps, like trying to preserve historic structures including a coliseum, Joe Dumar's Fieldhouse, the State Fair band shell and the Dodge pavilion.

"It's not as simple as plopping down a strip mall ... We're still happy with the progress we are making. The train is still on track and moving forward," said Dan Austin, a spokesman for the mayor.

After an initial proposal, which called for 500,000 square feet of retail and housing, a movie theater and other mixed-use developments stalled, Magic returned with new drawings and plans in 2015.

Since that time, Magic representatives have worked with the city to develop a "preliminary site plan framework and financial feasibility analysis," according to Lewand's letter to the state.

In addition to Ferguson, the Magic development team includes former Detroit Deputy Fire Commissioner Marvin Beatty; and Johnson, the former MSU and NBA star.

The partners submitted the only successful request for proposals for the fairgrounds in August 2013.

Some initial critics like Brian Colfer have continued to speak out against the development since but haven't developed much traction.

"It's pretty frustrating because we really don't want this property to be given to private developers," said Colfer, who said the state is missing a golden opportunity to use at least a part of the site as a regional transportation hub.

Jim Casha, an out-spoken critic of the decision to sell the fairgrounds and a community activist, has also advocated for using part of the site as a transportation hub because of its strategic location.

The sale to Magic has been "the best deal for certain individuals" but not the rest of region, Casha said. "They should have been given the boot and the process started over."

Williams said the city supported the extensions so that planners can address concerns with the first version of plans from Magic and so that tax credits and other critical issues can be addressed before another round of community meetings later this year.

"We want to make sure that when we engage the community this time ... it's a productive discussion," he said. "We're still happy with the progress we're making ... This is a very big opportunity."

The Michigan State Fair had been a state tradition for 160 years and was held at the fairgrounds since since 1905.

By 2008, it needed $360,000 from the state to cover losses, and fewer than 220,000 people passed through the gates during the fair's last year of operation, according to the Associated Press. At its peak in 1966, the fair drew 1 million visitors.

Ron Fonger is a reporter for MLive. He can be reached at 810-347-9963 orrfonger1@mlive.com.