DDAEyes Star Line Parcel; Supports Event Tents Idea
Plans Taking Shape for Outdoor Movies
By Karen Gould

Negotiations between the City of St. Ignace and Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry are underway for purchase of a parcel of State Street waterfront property. From the 1.2-acre site, views include Wawatam Lighthouse to the north and Mackinac Island to the east.

Efforts to preserve the St. Ignace waterfront leaped forward Friday, May 11, when the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) asked director Deb Evashevski to pursue a grant to purchase part of the parking lot at the Star Line Railroad Dock.

No price has been negotiated for the 1.2 acre parcel on State Street, just north of American Legion Park. It is zoned General Business.

Following a closed session to discuss the price, the DDA board directed Mrs. Evashevski to prepare and application for a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant.

The land will be developed for recreation and to retain the panoramic views of Moran Bay. It could contain some parking, say DDA members.

"Once we purchase the property," said DDA Chairman Gene Elmer, "we will have work sessions to decide what we want to do with it."

The St. Ignace Recreation plan, adopted by City Council last May, promotes the maintenance of open waterfront, said DDA member Don Schairer.

"That's what we're trying to do," he said.

Negotiating the purchase will be the job of Council's Real Estate Committee, comprised of councilmen William LaLonde, Merv Wise, and Tom Della-Moretta.

The City Council will have the final say in the parcel purchase.

There are two deadlines for the grant applications, April 1 and August 1, and it may be difficult to meet the August deadline, Mrs. Evashevski told The St. Ignace News.

Submitting the application next April 1 would offer the benefit of an initial review, which provides feedback to the grant writer, who then can make changes and additions to help ensure success.

The parcel drew community attention last fall when Moran Township resident Todd Hargraves said he wanted to build a 10-unit condominium on the site. At a January public hearing, residents opposed the project, asking the City Council to save the scenic harbor views.

In another matter, the DDA approved a $1,000 contribution toward the $4,500 rental of an inflatable outdoor movie screen. Eric Dodson, city manager and member of the Events Committee, made the request for funds, which would be used to rent a 30-footwide, 15-foot-high screen for two nights. The event, being billed "Movies Under The Stars," would be July 2 and 3, between St. Ignace Car Show weekend and July 4.

"This is kind of a nice way to spend time with family," Mr. Dodson said.

The screen would be set up outside Little Bear East Arena and Community Center.

The committee would like to first show "Building of the Mackinac Bridge" to promote the 50th celebration of the bridge later in the month, Mr. Dodson said. The second film would be a family movie. The community could watch the films on the lawn and from cars.

If the event is a success, Shirley Sorrels, director of the Museum of Ojibwa Culture, suggested that the city consider having a Native American Film Festival next summer.

Seeking funds to purchase six outdoor tents, Mark Sposito from the Events Committee received DDA support of $2,000 over the next two years. Other area service groups will also be asked to support the project, said Mr. Sposito.

The tents, which can be set up separately or combined, would total a 60-foot-by-60-foot area that holds 500 seated people, or 1,000 standing. The heavy-duty tents can withstand winds of approximately 80 miles per hour.

Having such tents available could facilitate holding a number of events in town, Mr. Sposito said.

"I feel it is very important," he told the DDA. "I think there are a lot of other things that could be done in the downtown area, but with our weather, you almost always have to be tented, or you're just risking the event."

The tents, which cost approximately $17,000, may be available to rent to service groups, proposed the committee. The tent rented for the Pond Hockey Tournament last winter, Mr. Sposito said, cost $5,400 and was 45 feet by 60 feet. Such high rental fees could deter other local groups from hosting tented events, he said.

Regatta groups that come to the City Marina also have asked for tents, said Mr. Elmer, and this could be a good rental source. The size of the marina dock was measured and taken into consideration when determining the size of the proposed tents, said Mr. Sposito.

The committee has not decided on the rental fee or who would handle the tents, said Mr. Sposito, but the tents should be taken care of by one group of people who would be familiar with their care and set-up. He estimated rental might be between $250 and $350. The committee discussed that the tents may be handled by the St. Ignace Fire Department, which would receive some of the rental funds. Some fees would be placed in a tent repair fund.