Michigan Soo puts Garforth on 'back burner'

Philip Garforth's proposed O-Zone development isn't quite dead.

But as far as the City of Sault Ste. Marie Michigan is concerned, Garforth's deal to acquire the I-500 property is definitely "on the back burner," City Manager Spencer Nebel told SooToday.com last night.

Last July, the Michigan Soo City Commission placed the deal under legal review after Garforth failed to meet an already-extended deadline for buying the I-500 track.

"We currently have no formal agreement with Mr. Garforth for the development of the project," Nebel told us last night (see interview video below).

"As I understand, he continues to work on the project," the City manager said. "Once he has something together - if he ever gets something together - then we'll deal with it at that time."

"I would say, right now the project is on the back burner. If something happens with it, it will come back out. But otherwise, the project's on the back burner at this point."

Nebel made the comment after City commissioners agreed last night to grant organizers of the I-500 snowmobile race an indefinite, month-by-month extension on their expired lease for the property.

The 2009 I-500 events take place February 3-8, with amateur sledders allowed to try out for the first time this year.