Council Sets Bond Amount for Webster Home Construction
By Karen Gould

Carrie Wellington (center) attended the presentation for her father George Wellington, Sr., accepting a plaque from Fire Chief Dennis Bradley and a resolution from Mayor Margaret Doud.

Len and Sue Webster have agreed to put aside $300,000 before they begin building their Hubbard's Annex home. The cash reserve is designed to protect the City of Mackinac Island in case the Websters are unable to complete the project, and will provide the necessary financing to cover the costs of finishing the outside of the house and property. The money will be returned when the Websters complete their home.

The fund reserve was approved by the Mackinac Island City Council in a unified vote Wednesday, July 19, on the recommendation of the Mackinac Island Planning Commission following neighborhood complaints about the unfinished foundation at the site. The city has been concerned about failed promises by the Websters to complete construction over the last six years, and three previously issued building permits that expired, leaving the property with an open foundation that the city charged is a safety hazard for children and a breeding area for mosquitoes.

Council had tabled any decision on the matter at its July 5 meeting until it could agree on an amount that would be fair to the Websters and the city.

Last month, the planning commission had given tentative approval for a building permit on the condition that work begin by October 15, that a construction schedule is received from the contractor, and that some kind of performance bond be secured.

During Wednesday's meeting, which was attended by Mrs. Webster, city attorney Tom Evashevski asked Council to set an amount while giving him the authority to work with the

Websters to establish the kind of fund that would be used to secure the money for the city. Council agreed to his recommendation.

Mr. Evashevski said he already had been talking with the Websters and they had discussed using one of three potential methods, including placing the money in an escrow account, setting up a surety bond, or establishing a letter of credit.

Contrary to rumors she had been hearing, Mrs. Webster said, "I have no intention of building this house and selling it. This is something that is a long term hope and goal. Arealization of my retirement and my husband's retirement. We've been on this island for 28 years.

"I'm looking for something that is going to be there 100 years to come," she added. "That is our intention, it's always been. We are here to stay," she added.

Mrs. Webster was not able to confirm when construction will

begin, but said she is working with two potential contractors and waiting for her architect to return to his Harbor Springs office in August.

Mayor Margaret Doud asked Mr. Evashevski what would happen to the property if the Websters do not meet the planning commission requirements and fail to get the building permit. Mr. Evashevski replied that Council would have to seek a court order and then they would have the option to place a lien on the property.

"I think that's pretty good security," he said.

Council agreed.

Previously, the Planning Commission also approved a zoning application for the Websters with the stipulation that the proposed house pass the architectural review process.