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City weighs two waterfront acquisitions; commissioners want funding details and timelines
Summary
Public works staff presented two parkland acquisition options: the Hartshorn parcel (about $1.1M with a ~ $746,250 DNR Trust Fund grant recommendation, but the owner requests the city front the purchase) and a set of 10 Sappi-site lots (purchase estimate ~$1.6M; city match about $475,000). Commissioners asked for funding sources, clarified grant schedules, and set a public hearing for the Sappi application on March 24.
Dan Vanderheide, director of public works, described two potential park acquisitions and the grant-match implications for each.
The Hartshorn opportunity would add nearly 2.5 acres to an existing city property, return a trail segment to city ownership and protect nearby viewsheds. Vanderheide said the DNR Trust Fund board recommended a grant of about $746,250, but the property owner has asked the city to purchase up front and later be reimbursed; staff warned the city would carry the risk if environmental or appraisal issues prevent reimbursement.
On the Sappi site, the city holds a first right of refusal on 10 lots around a planned park (P9) that would expand public frontage on Muskegon Lake by roughly 240 feet and add about 0.83 acres of deeded city parkland. Preliminary acquisition estimates for the 10 lots are about $1.6 million with a likely grant of ~$1.1 million and a city match of roughly $475,000; staff said appraisals and environmental work will refine those numbers.
Commissioners expressed concern about the city fronting funds for Hartshorn and asked staff to explore options (brownfield reimbursement, public fundraising, use of the public improvement fund or recouping earlier demolition costs at an 81st Street site). The commission directed staff to proceed with a public hearing on the Sappi grant application at the March 24 meeting (application deadline April 1) while continuing discussions about Hartshorn and exploring how to source matching funds if the city is chosen for the grant. Public commenter John Allen Jr urged the commission not to approve Hartshorn and to terminate the cooperative use agreement, stating the site currently serves private business interests to the detriment of public access.
