The Alpena Township Board of Trustees took no action on a land donation that could have created a roadside park on US-23 South during its meeting Monday. During the board's October meeting, Joseph P. Swallow offered the township eight 100 feet by 200 feet lots to create a roadside park in his mother's memory and the board decided to take it under advisement to determine whether accepting the donation is feasible at the present time.
The board declined the offer because the township does not have the funds to do so. The property has $36,499.66 in special assessments the township would have had to pay. The eight lots would be taken off the tax roll as well, leaving the township unable to collect taxes for the property.
Trustee Lou Baker said he appreciates the offer but it just wasn't feasible at this time.
"We have the nature preserve out there, we have the Rockport property, I can't say how we would develop this roadside park by accepting these lots," he said.
He also said it wouldn't be fair for other property owners who might want to do the same thing in the future.
Trustee Stan Mischley's main concern was the amount of money the township would have to spend on the property in the current economic times.
"I'm getting really concerned about our finances in the township," he said.
Swallow said he appreciated the trustees looking out for the welfare of the township and thanked them for their consideration. He has had a difficult time finding a real estate agent who would list the property and knows other people would clear cut the property. He said he was hoping the township could find a use for it.
Trustee Matt Dunckel pointed out there has been more development happening in the area now than in the past five years, although he doesn't understand why it's happening now.
Supervisor Marie Twite said she wished the township board would have been able to accept the property but the economy in the state isn't the best now.
Swallow will receive a letter of regret from the township thanking him for his offer.