Citizens Urge City: Find Way To Buy Waterfront
By Ryan Schlehuber

The St. Ignace City Council is being asked by some residents, and at least one council member, to be creative in finding ways to purchase 1.2 acres of Star Line's waterfront property by its railroad dock, which the ferry company is offering for $680,000.

Mayor Paul Grondin, during a council meeting Tuesday, September 4, was ready to support his real estate committee's recommendation not to pursue the property purchase owing to "budgetary limitations," however, after hearing from a few members of the audience and, after Councilwoman Susan Tamlyn-Massaway challenged Council to be more creative, the Real Estate Committee was directed to find funding for the purchase.

If the city were to purchase the property, it could expand nearby American Legion Park, preventing any future private building, and preserving the scenic view of Moran Bay and Lake Huron.

The city is eligible for a state grant that would provide up to 75% of the $680,000 needed to purchase the property.

In February, Council, supported by numerous residents, turned down a proposed condominium project on the parcel that would have blocked waterfront views from State Street.

The city should purchase the land, Star Line CEO Tom Pfeiffelmann said, because it wants to preserve the city's downtown waterfront view and it needs parking space for events.

"You need that property, it's quite obvious because you've been using it for years," said Mr. Pfeiffelmann, adding, "You've more or less condemned it by not allowing somebody to build on it."

Resident Donna Pope told the council members that if the city wants the property, it can find a way to get it, and suggested that citizens might even be willing to pay the remaining 25% not covered by the grant, or $170,000.

The earliest the city could put a millage to a vote would be January 15, 2008, but Mrs. Pope urged Council to hold public hearings on the issue to gauge public support.

"You can't let it just go away," she said.

Councilman Don Gustafson cautioned that the city is facing chronic budget deficits.

"If the city is the one who is interested in it, then it's either put up or shut up," he said. "It's a wonderful thing to say that the city should purchase it. If this is something that people want, there's nothing wrong with asking people and finding out."

A committee report is expected at Council's October 1 meeting.

The Real Estate Committee is composed of Councilmen Willie LaLonde, Merv Wyse, and Della- Moretta and city attorney Prentiss "Moie" Brown, Jr.

In another matter, Mr. Brown announced that the $500,000 purchase of the Fort de Buade Museum was finalized and the museum was reopened over the Labor Day weekend. The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians donated $708,000 to the city for the purchase.

Mr. Brown noted that the first check from the tribe was not cashed, and advised City Treasurer Eugene Elmer to cash the checks immediately so the city can draw interest from the bank.

Mayor Paul Grondin said he is glad to have the agreement finished, which allows the Michilimackinac Historical Society to reopen the museum.

"It was nice to drive by and to see it open," he said.

"It's going to be good for downtown and our Indian culture," noted Mr. Brown.

Completed evaluation forms for City Manager Eric Dodson from each council member were submitted to the mayor during the meeting. Evaluations will be reviewed by Council's Negotiations Committee and discussed at Council's September 17 meeting, at which time Mayor Grondin said the evaluations will be available to the public.

Mr. Dodson was directed by Council to research a project by Michigan State University Extension to provide rental bikes in the city. The project would call for bicycles to be rented at various city buildings and at some downtown private businesses.

During public comment, St. Ignace resident Steve DuFresne asked Council why the public restrooms were closed at the Pavillion Mall during the busy Labor Day weekend and noticed the restrooms were not open.

Mall owner Elizabeth Brown and the city have an agreement that allows the public to use the restrooms in the building, which were subsidized with city funds, however, Deb Evashevski, the Downtown Development Authority director, admitted that she has had a hard time convincing Mrs. Brown to keep her stores open to allow the public to access the restrooms.

"Someone will look into that," promised Mayor Grondin.

Mr. Elmer said he was shocked to see how many stores were closed at 8:30 p.m. Sunday, the day before Labor Day, when there were so many people walking about on the sidewalk.

"The last big push of the weekend, and the retail complains downtown," he said, "and there were people all over the place, and there were a lot of shops closed. They have nobody to blame but themselves."

Council is expecting to hear from a Waste Management representative at its next meeting Monday, September 17, after the St. Ignace Visitors Bureau received a complaint from an anonymous business over garbage left over at its site after the Fish Feast that was held in August. The complaint also includes rates charged to businesses, as compared to rates charged to residents.