County approves purchase of 184.79 acres from Grand Rapids Gravel to expand Bend-area open space

The Ottawa County Board of Commissioners voted July 8 to approve a purchase agreement and a license and reclamation agreement with Grand Rapids Gravel Company to acquire 184.79 acres to expand the Bend-area open space.

The purchase, presented by county staff during the meeting, includes seller obligations to complete site reclamation consistent with applicable mining licenses and township requirements. Commissioners voted to authorize county staff to execute closing, recording and reclamation documents and approved an increase in the capital projects budget for CPAY-2102, Bend Area Expand Acquisition Phase 3, of $1,179,407.36. Funding for the acquisition was noted in the meeting packet as coming from the Ottawa County Parks Fund (CParks 208) and the Ottawa County Parks Foundation.

A county representative explained the parcel will expand the existing roughly 450-acre Bend-area open space by about 184 acres and includes open water and developable land on the property's southwest portion. Under the agreement, Grand Rapids Gravel has 150 days after closing to complete reclamation activities described in the license and reclamation agreement and in an included grading plan. County staff said portions of the property could be opened to the public about 90 days after closing, with reclamation work continuing into spring and a dedication planned for the following spring if schedules proceed as expected.

Roll call for the motion recorded commissioners voting "Yes;" the clerk declared the motion passed.

The agreement also states the acquisition will be done in conjunction with a Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund grant and support from the Ottawa County Parks Foundation, according to materials presented at the meeting. County staff said they anticipated an August closing if timelines and grant processes proceed as planned.