Houghton County approves $1.2M purchase of Sharon Avenue parcel using ARPA funds

The Houghton County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 13 authorized Chairman Tom Tikkanen to sign a $1,200,000 purchase agreement for the Sharon Avenue property, approving the acquisition using American Rescue Plan (CSLFRF) funds.

The purchase was presented by Commissioner Roy Britz, who noted an appraisal value of $1,280,000 and said the closing should occur by Dec. 31, 2022. Britz and other commissioners discussed possible uses, including siting a justice center under a proposed 425 agreement or moving administrative offices to the site if voters do not approve a jail proposal.

Supporters included Portage Township Trustee Bill Fink, who told the board the township supports a 425 arrangement and that “the 425 is for a 9 year period of time, and the jail is to go on the property or the property goes back to Portage Township.” Commissioners voted unanimously to authorize the purchase agreement.

Why it matters: The action commits county ARPA resources to a high-value real-estate purchase tied to a broader planning conversation about a justice center and county administrative space, and it creates a near-term closing deadline and follow-up decisions for the board.

What happened next: Commissioners discussed administrative steps and timing. Commissioner Gretchen Janssen expressed concern about closing prior to a final decision on the 425 agreement; the board nevertheless voted to proceed. The county listed the matter on its January 17, 2023 agenda for continued planning and related decisions.

Speakers quoted in this article are those who addressed the board during the Sharon Avenue discussion and appear in the meeting record.