County Commissioners OK park property purchase

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St. Clair County Commissioners have approved a purchase agreement for a downriver county park. According to County Commissioner Bill Gratopp, the $1.7 million purchase agreement was approved Thursday night during a meeting of the county ways and means committee. The approximately 9-acre parcel is located along the North Channel of the St. Clair River on the border of the City of Algonac and Clay Township.  The agreement calls for the Six Rivers Land Conservancy to acquire the land on behalf of the county until state funds are acquired. Officials hope to apply to a Department of Natural Resources grant that could cover up to 74% of the purchase price, with the rest of the dollars coming from the county and local governments.

ORIGINAL STORY:

At long last, a new county park could be coming to the southern end of the county. St. Clair County Commissioners will be asked to approve a purchase agreement Thursday for an approximately 9-acre parcel along the North Channel of the St. Clair River. The parcel in question is located along M-29 in Clay Township adjacent to the DNR’s North Channel boat launch. It would cost the county approximately $1.7 million dollars.

County Commissioner Bill Gratopp, who represents the down river part of the county, says Six Rivers Land Conservancy will be used to acquire the land. “Once they (Six Rivers) acquires the property in our name, then we will apply for the (DNR) land grant trust fund,” said Gratopp. “It will pay about 74% of the price, and we will have to match the other 26%.” The remaining amount, just over $400,000, would come from the County Parks and Recreation millage and Clay Township.

Gratopp says the proposed park would be similar to the Fort Gratiot County Park and would include such things as picnic tables, pavilions, and a beach. Gratopp adds that a southern county park has been in the works since 2012 and that it has been a top priority for him and his constituents. The purchase agreement will be discussed during a closed session meeting of the ways and means committee meeting Thursday at 4pm at the St. Clair County Office Building.