New Ideas Suggested To Keep View Open at Mackinaw City
By Paul Gingras

As the idea of public ownership of waterfront property gains momentum in Mackinaw City, the village council, planning commission, and the public are discussing specific plans to keep the view of the Straits of Mackinac open. At a council meeting Tuesday, April 17, discussion centered on which part of the waterfront to focus on, funding, drawing investors with special themes, and which organization should take the lead in such an initiative.

Village President Ronald Wallin proposed an ad hoc committee of qualified residents to study both Native American history and funding options with the specific goal of purchasing property between the state dock and Wawatam Park, which he identified as the most valued area by visitors.

The plan would draw investors, he said.

"A Native American focal point is long overdue in Mackinaw. If well done, it could fund itself and serve as a well-deserved anchor in our visitor-dependent economy," he added. "The goal would be to keep the view open, the land fully accessible, and [to offer] an aesthetic and educational experience for the people that live here and for the millions that come to visit."

Mr. Wallin said he had no intention of appointing a committee without the full backing of the council.

Speaking as a resident along the corridor, Rob Most, Mackinaw City's planning commission chairman, said if more waterfront property is acquired by the village in the area, it "may not be pleasant for northeastern quadrant residents," who may be bothered by tourist traffic near their homes.

Speaking as chairman of the planning commission, he said Mr. Wallin's plan is too limited. He suggested the planning commission should be allowed to approach the council with specific proposals that take a wide view first.

Looking 20 to 50 years ahead, and considering potential development in the area, Mr. Most advocated looking at more than the east side for property purchase. He suggested purchasing waterfront on the west side of Mackinaw City, near the village beaches.

If 50 years ago Mackinaw City had a planning commission in place that had zoned the east side to keep development off the waterfront, then the village would not be in the position it is in now, he said. Looking ahead at the west side now would be a good idea, he added.

Although he showed interest in the Native American theme Mr. Wallin proposed, "I am hesitant that we should jump ahead [and appoint] a specific committee, which then is going to limit the thinking your [planning] commissioners can do.

"I would not be surprised to see planning come to you and mention that you could start to think about less expensive property, something even outside the village limits, that might be annexed someday," he added.

Ideas of the sort would distract the government from protecting the key area Mackinaw City needs to acquire to ensure the long-term prosperity of the village, Mr. Wallin said.

"We all know that this area to the east of Nicolet Street is primarily where the business area in Mackinaw City is," he said.

People walk from the main hotel area in this direction. Protecting waterfront property there is critical for residents and businesses, he suggested.

"I have seen a lot of opportunities lost [for the village] to acquire parcels" on the North Huron corridor, said Bill Bertchinger, director of the Mackinaw Area Visitors Bureau, speaking as a business owner and a resident of 23 years. "You have a bunch of situations on that north corridor right now where there are older residents living there with kids that do not want the property."

Looking long term, the village could acquire the property by offering life leases on such properties, he suggested.

"If you talked to property owners and said, 'You could live here tax and mortgage free for the rest of your life, and this property would [later] go to the Village of Mackinaw City,' I think you would get some takers. I really do," Mr. Bertchinger said.

Eventually, the property would be in public hands and the view would be protected, he added.

Mr. Bertchinger suggested concentrating on homes adjacent to existing village parks. Adding 50 to 100 feet to parks would help create a tremendous view, he said.

Removing even one house on the curve by the Mackinac Bridge would open up a view that would be phenomenal, and walking traffic is tremendous in the area, he added.

Creating more open waterfront in the area would certainly create nice walks for residents and tourists, Mr. Wallin said.

Despite differences in the village's approach to acquiring waterfront, members of the council, planning commission, and the public agreed that studies paid for by the village have identified waterfront acquisition and the maintenance of an open view as top desires and concerns of village residents.

Council member James Alford noted his concern that business, rather than residential, taxes are likely to fund property purchases, however, he added, "If we are not going to abide by what people ask for, then we are wasting a great deal of money having [public] meetings [and] asking people to come to them and share their ideas."

"For the last several months, the issue of waterfront property and viewshed has been a very prominent discussion with the council, and nothing has been accomplished," said resident Joan Leal. "The budget committee, the city manager, and the council as a whole seem very reluctant to put in a line item [into the budget] to start funds for this purpose," she added, speaking in favor of Mr. Wallin's ad hoc committee.
Specific ideas suggested as the village
considers purchasing waterfront property:
• Offer life leases to property owners adjacent to parks.
• Draw investors into the project by developing the land
with a theme, such as Native American history.
• Consider less expensive property outside the village
that may be annexed someday.
• Target the west side of town, near beaches.