Escanaba council rescinds 1977 park resolution, approves sale of six lots and opens another parcel to public bid

The Escanaba City Council on Sept. 4 voted to rescind a 1977 resolution tied to a triangular parcel near South 30 Second Street and approved the sale of six residential lots on South 30 Second Street for $120,000. Council later denied a direct sale of a separate five‑acre triangular parcel at South 30 Second Street and Third Avenue South and directed administration to open a three‑week public bid process for that parcel.

The rescission reverses a council action from April 21, 1977, that residents said designated the triangular parcel for recreational use. City Manager McNeil told the council that the city’s legal review and a state review found the deed language did not create an absolute, perpetual restriction preventing sale. The council voted to rescind the 1977 resolution after discussion and legal briefing.

Why it matters: neighbors said the parcel was conveyed to the city decades ago for a public purpose and that selling it without a public vote would break community trust. Supporters of development said the city needs housing, and a local developer committed to building condominiums could spur additional projects and tax revenue.

What the council decided and why - Sale of six lots: Council approved a motion to sell six lots on South 30 Second Street for $120,000. The city manager briefed council that the buyer (a developer) proposes homes aimed at a “middle market” price point in the approximately $200 per square foot range including land. The manager said the developer expects an 18‑month build requirement and that sidewalks will be required per ordinance. The sale motion passed on roll call. - Rescission of 04/21/1977 resolution: The city presented a memorandum and legal opinion concluding the deed language allowed a sale; the council voted to rescind the 1977 resolution after discussion about historical expectations and the difference between a resolution and a deed restriction. - Triangle parcel: After public comment and council discussion about transparency and fairness, council voted to deny immediate approval of a direct sale for the five‑acre triangular parcel and instead directed administration to prepare and publish an open bid packet for three weeks to solicit competing proposals. Several council members said public bidding would allow council to weigh public benefit alongside price.

Public comment and neighborhood concerns Residents who live near the triangular parcel urged the council not to sell without a public vote. Richard Lacoste, who identified himself as a resident at 3001 Third Avenue South, said the parcel was deeded to the city “for the cost of $1 in 1972 from the state of Michigan” and that a 1977 council action “establish[ed] this parcel of land as a park.” He urged either a public vote or broader public notice and to make the sale open to competitive offers.

Janice Mills, who said her house is the last house north on 30 Second Street, described finding a notice in her mailbox shortly before a meeting and recounted seeing city employees on the parcel and nighttime activity she called suspicious. Mills asked council to address traffic impacts if development proceeds.

Developers and supporters Ed Legault, executive director of the Delta County Economic Development Alliance, told council developers will look to communities that supply housing and that the proposed development could generate long‑term tax revenue and support business attraction. Dave Harris and Judy Owens, representing the Stonebrook condominium proposal and Statewide Real Estate, said their project would add 25 condominium units intended to free up existing single‑family homes for first‑time buyers and bring local construction jobs.

Council members and staff noted competing priorities Council members who opposed an immediate direct sale said the city had handled the parcel inconsistently in the past and that rescinding a decades‑old resolution warranted public scrutiny. City Manager McNeil and other council supporters said the city’s legal review and state confirmation gave a path forward and emphasized the city’s housing shortage as a rationale for enabling development. The manager told council that developing a full park with facilities could exceed $1 million depending on scope and that routine maintenance of the vacant lot also imposes a cost on the city.

Next steps and implementation Council directed administration to prepare and publish an open bid packet for the triangular parcel and set a three‑week response window to allow competing proposals while attempting to preserve the existing developer’s interest. For the six‑lot sale, administration will proceed with closing terms consistent with the motion and the ordinance‑mandated build requirements. Council did not adopt any ordinance changes at the meeting related to the parcels.

Documents released at the meeting included an appraisal memorandum and a legal memorandum assessing the deed language and historical resolution. Council also heard estimates that development costs for lots with fill and utility extensions are significantly higher than previously sold stubbed lots and that adding sewer to the triangular parcel could cost “well into six figures,” a cost to be borne by a developer rather than the city.

— Sources: Escanaba City Council meeting transcript, Sept. 4, 2025; public comments by residents and developers recorded at the hearing.