Brighton DDA Makes Way For Auto Parts Manufacturer to Build Headquarters Downtown

An auto parts manufacturing company based in Brighton could be building their corporate headquarters downtown.

The agreement could bring up to 50 Excelda employees to downtown Brighton, which members of the DDA hope will boost lunch traffic and home sales close to downtown.

The Brighton Downtown Development Authority approved an agreement at its Tuesday meeting to allow Excelda Manufacturing, currently based at 12785 Emerson Drive, to purchase the property at 131 Hyne St., with the intention of building a new office to house the company's operations.

The deal is not finalized yet, which is subject to terms for both sides.

The building on Hyne currently houses the The DDA purchased the property from the Chamber just a few months ago. The Chamber is set to move to its new location at 218 W. Grand River Ave. on July 29.

Excelda Manufacturing, according to its website, provides automotive products specializing in fluid blending, packaging, warehousing and order fulfillment services.

, which has some plants next to the existing Chamber building, may need to relocate some or all of those plants, depending on how much space the new building takes up. A proposed three-story building could save space compared to a two-story building, according to the presentation made at the DDA meeting.

There is no set timetable for construction on the new building just yet. Per terms of the agreeement, the city must tear down the existing building.

Other action by the DDA:

• Approval of $3,500 toward the purchase of event banners to be hung in downtown Brighton for city events. DDA and Community Development Director Matthew Modrack said the banners will be used for the next two Chamber of Commerce events, including the Fine Art & Acoustic Music Festival Aug. 13-14 and the Smokin' Jazz & Barbeque Blues Festival Sept. 9-10.
• Approval for Modrack to draw up official contracts to fund several Brighton organizations with various projects, including the Brighton Garden Club, the, the and the (CoBACH).