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Grand Traverse Land Conservancy seeks $19.5 million to buy Elberta shoreline property; county hears plan
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Summary
Representatives told Benzie County commissioners they must raise $19.5 million by Dec. 15 to buy 35 acres in Elberta, including waterfront and dunes; the conservancy plans to convey nine marina-district acres to the Michigan Land Bank Authority for village redevelopment and to retain dune acreage as sanctuary.
Glen Chown and Jennifer Jay of the Grand Traverse Land Conservancy presented to the Benzie County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 24, describing a proposed purchase of 35 acres from Elberta Land Holding Company and outlining plans for the parcels.
The conservancy said it must raise $19.5 million by Dec. 15, 2024, to complete the acquisition and reported that more than $15 million has been pledged or raised to date. Officials said their plan would connect two parks along the waterfront and village beach, retain about 10 acres of dunes as a sanctuary, and transfer nine acres in the Marina District to the Michigan Land Bank Authority on behalf of the Village of Elberta for future redevelopment.
Commissioners and Conservancy representatives discussed the potential impact on the local property tax base. Javed Shah, who identified himself as a candidate for County Commissioner in District 7, asked whether there are ways the property could be monetized in ways consistent with the conservancy’s goals to offset lost tax revenue. The Conservancy representatives described fundraising and reuse options but said the transaction hinges on meeting the fundraising deadline.
The presentation packet described intended trail links, including a planned extension to the Betsie Valley Trail to improve access from inland trail segments to the waterfront, and noted partners in the project. The conservancy representative said that the dunes parcel would be managed as a sanctuary and not developed.
Why it matters: if the purchase proceeds, portions of the 35 acres would be removed from the local tax roll, and the planned transfer and redevelopment of the Marina District parcel could affect village planning and future tax receipts. The conservancy’s fundraising timeline — $19.5 million by mid-December — creates a fixed near-term deadline for the project’s feasibility.
What’s next: The conservancy is continuing fundraising; commissioners did not take a board-level vote on the purchase during the meeting but heard the presentation and raised questions about tax and redevelopment implications.