An idea that the village should buy two blighted properties was turned down by the Mackinaw City Village Council Thursday, February 19.

The proposal was rejected first by the finance committee, then the council.

Council member James Alford reported at a council meeting that the finance committee had met to discuss the purchase of the two parcels on 305 East Etherington Street and 719 West Central Avenue, which are considered to be in a state of disrepair.

In February, Village President Ron Wallin had asked the committee to consider a recommendation to purchase the property.

"It is about stabilizing residential and business neighborhoods from further deterioration," Mr. Wallin later told The St. Ignace News.

The committee, said Mr. Alford, first agreed to set expenditure priorities, which include roads, building a new fire station, and finishing work at city hall, and also agreed not to recommend purchasing the properties at this time.

"We also concluded as a subcommittee," said Mr. Alford, "we are not in the real estate business. We are not comfortable with spending between $150,000 and $200,000 on the speculation of return, especially when we have no specific purpose for purchasing this property at this time."

Mr. Wallin disagreed and said the city is in the real estate business and also should be in the blight removal business.

"Our concern should be to remove blight," he said. "If that costs money, so be it."

Chris Brown, a local builder who attended the meeting, suggested that since both properties are for sale, the village could offer a tax abatement to someone who would purchase and refurbish the property.

Mr. Wallin said he is against abatements.

Council voted to support the committee's recommendation not to purchase the two properties. Mr. Wallin voted against the recommendation.

Council next meets Thursday, March 5, at 7 p.m. in the Mackinaw City Village Hall.