Could an old, empty historic auto mill become a thriving arts center in western Wayne County? One prominent artist thinks so and has the vision to create something like no one's ever seen.

The Art Foundation in Plymouth is in the process of negotiating with Wayne County to purchase the Wilcox Mill, located at Hines Drive and Wilcox Road in Plymouth. If the purchase receives the appropriate approvals from local and county officials, the plan is to turn the mill, which hasn't been used since the 1940s, into a thriving art center.

"It really, wholeheartedly, feels like my life's work has come to this," said Tony Roko, a Plymouth artist and founder of the Art Foundation.

The plan would include sculptures designed by Wayne County children and crafted by local artists that would dot the landscape, and the interior of the mill would turn into an art gallery, a space for art workshops and classes and the headquarters for the Art Foundation, which is currently inside the Plymouth Arts and Recreation Complex.

"Based on our research so far, it'll be the first of its kind," said Greg Hoffman, the executive director of the Art Foundation. "There are examples of child-designed sculptures around, but not necessarily a full park around that."

More details on the project are expected to be revealed at a public meeting about the proposal, which will take place at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Penn Theatre at 760 Penniman in downtown Plymouth. There, representatives from both the Art Foundation and Wayne County will be on hand to answer questions and showcase the project and its plans.

There, the foundation hopes to answer questions from supporters and those who may be against the sale of the project.

"We don't have anything to hide," Hoffman said. "We are trying to bring something beautiful and exciting and a source to pride to this area. And really change the landscape of what people have looked at for the last 70 years."

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The Wilcox Mill is one of three mills Wayne County has marketed for sale to private investors in Hines Park. Phoenix Mill in Plymouth Township has already been sold to a developer that will turn the facility into a banquet hall, with some of those funds going to help repair some bridges in Hines Park. The other mill, Newburgh Mill in Livonia, is still being marketed and ideas for the site continue to be hammered out.

The sale of the mills, launched publicly in late 2018, has drawn the ire of some area residents who have protested against the sale of the mills.

The mill began as a flour mill in the 1800s before the land was acquired by the Ford Motor Company. It then manufactured engine taps for vehicles until the mid-1940s, when it was sold to Wayne County. It's been essentially vacant since, with the county using the building as storage.

Khalil Rahal, a Wayne County assistant county executive, said the county received several proposals for the land and believed the Art Foundation was the best use for the property.

"There is a real great feeling toward what the foundation was doing with at-risk youth, and how that has a real residual effort on the community regionwide," he said. "What we determined was that the art foundation really provides a use that is a really strong amenity for the public and the park."

City, county approval needed

In addition to the art space, amenities for local bicyclists and fishermen and women are also planned. Gone from the proposal are residential condominiums, which were discussed at one point but are no longer part of the project, Hoffman said.

If approved, the plans would take several years to hash out before any events or sculptures could be created at the site. The foundation would also need to work with contractors to rehabilitate the site and try to make it look similar to what it looked like when it was last used in the 1940s. Part of the purchase agreement would include the foundation's pursuit of national historic designation for the mill, something it currently does not have.

John Buzuvis, Plymouth's community development director, said no official plans for the site have been turned in to the city for official review, though a pre-application meeting with city staff was held to discuss the project.

Buzuvis said while nothing has been decided from the city's perspective yet, he said the proposed use makes great sense for the mill on the north side of the city.

"It's a reasonable proposal and it makes sense to adaptively reuse that building," he said. "The amenities as I understand them that are proposed will help to increase opportunities and really reactivate that corner."

The project, which is expected to go through a planned unit development process with the city, which would require it be reviewed by the city's planning commission and then go to the city commission for its final approval. Hoffman said the Art Foundation hopes to appear before the planning commission before the summer ends.

The sale of the property still also needs approval from the Wayne County Commission as well before closing can take place. No timetable for that has been set, Rahal said.

Creating such a unique space, Hoffman said, shows the level of commitment to the area coming from Roko and the foundation.

"It's to show that this isn't yet another bar or restaurant," he said. "It's activating a creative campus, an arts campus that, over time, with the growing reputation of Art Foundation and Tony Roko ... we hope to be bringing in artists from all over the country or potentially all over the world that can showcase their artwork in that setting."

Contact David Veselenak at dveselenak@hometownlife.com or 734-678-6728. Follow him on Twitter @davidveselenak.