Commissioners Accept Funds To Purchase Land Near Airport
By Karen Gould

Progress on the renovation project at the Mackinac Island Airport was visible Wednesday, July 4. Work is expected to continue throughout the summer.

Mackinac Island State Park commissioners are negotiating to purchase three lots and the aviation easements to two parcels that were platted in the Forest Brook Condominium development. They also will purchase three easements just west of the Mackinac Island Airport runway at the top of the bluff. The three lots are in the Runway Protection Zone and were declared unbuildable last year by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). They were purchased in 2003 and 2004 for between $72,000 and $89,000. The five easements are on parcels in the Approach Zones. Some $1.2 million in federal and state money will fund the land purchases, professional services, and transaction fees.

The easements will allow the park to cut trees and maintain safe airspace over the five parcels.

Airport issues were discussed at the park commission's May 25 meeting at Fort Michilimackinac in Mackinaw City.

Renovation work is ongoing at the Mackinac Island Airport, and progress can be seen in this Wednesday, July 4, photograph. The project includes enlarging and updating services at the terminal. On Wednesday, 13 planes sat nearby on the tarmac.

All of the property is vacant except one of the lots requiring an easement. The land with easements can be built on.

The Mackinac Island State Park Commission is the owner and operator of the airport and is required to adhere to safety regulations established by the FAA. They are administered by the Michigan Bureau of Aeronautics of the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT).

The commission has hired land acquisition specialist URS Corporation to administrate the transactions. The company is coordinating surveys, appraisals, and negotiations under a federally mandated process for acquiring such properties.

Renovation is expected to continue through the summer on the airport terminal. When completed, the $400,000 project will result in a larger terminal building that is handicap accessible, park Director Phil Porter told commissioners at their May 25 meeting.

"It will be a much more effective building in handling the people and the luggage and merchandise that are shipped through that site."

The project is fully funded by the Bureau of Aeronautics, including the wages of the park staff working on the project.

What is left of a 20-yearold seal coat on some park roads is scheduled to be replaced this fall for an estimated $248,000. Nine sites receiving the road work will include a stretch of road from the bottom of the cemetery area to Fort Holmes, parts of Huron Road, and sections along Carriage Road, Forest Way, the airport service road, and Turkey Hill.

The park has set aside $48,000 for the project and has received another $200,000 from MDOT for the work.

The Mackinac Island Community Foundation has awarded a $3,500 grant to Mackinac State Historic Parks to print the park's latest vignette, "Movie Making at Mackinac." The booklet tells the story of all movies that have been made on the Island. Written by Pat Majher, former public relations and marketing officer for the park, the vignette is expected to be published this year.

"This is the largest by far of the grants we have received from the Community Foundation, so we are very excited about that," said Mr. Porter.

The park also is seeking $25,000 in federal funding from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to produce a video, "Shipwrecks of the Straits of Mackinac." The proposed video would be shown at Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse in Mackinaw City.

Improvements at Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse include a new parking lot, sidewalks, and landscaping. New signage, benches, and lighting also have been added. New exhibits have been added inside the structure.

"We continue on the multiple phases to bring that site back to life," said Mr. Porter. "We'll keep at it as long as the funds are available to continue to attract visitors to the Straits of Mackinac and to that site."

For the 2007 season, the park has booked 71,466 group visitors, a 2.5% decline from 2006, Mr. Porter said, as schools struggle with tight budgets.

"These are still very large numbers," he noted.

Not included in the total is the Gerald R. Ford Council Boy Scout gathering expected at Fort Mackinac in September.

The park will host 30 weddings this summer, which is two more than last year. Nineteen will be at the "Somewhere in Time" gazebo, nine are planned at Mission Church, and two will be at Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse.

Cottage owner Frank Pompa gave an update of the Michigan Historic Preservation Network conference held at Grand Hotel in early May, which he had chaired. He told commissioners that the survey of attendees after the conference indicated Mr. Porter's presentation received the most positive comments.

"They said, 'It is amazing the passion that man has for Mackinac Island,'" said Mr. Pompa.

Regarding the state park and its preservation efforts, Mr. Pompa told the commission, "You guys have done a tremendous job in protecting the historic resources, not only the buildings, but also trying to protect the nature of the Island."

Mackinac Associates, the friends group that raises money for park programs, is celebrating 25 years since its formation and has set a fundraising goal of $25,000 for the year.

With the goal nearly reached in May, Mr. Porter said, the group will exceed the amount. The donations will be placed in the Education Endowment Fund.

The commission acted on nine use permits during the meeting. The two-year permits identify and regulate small trespasses on park property. A $58 fee is assessed to property owners for use of the land.

Four properties on Spring Street have front yards on state land. Two lots are owned by Laureate Cowell, a third lot is owned by David and Brenda Kensler, and the fourth lot is owned by Kathryn Ledtke.

A permit is issued to the City of Mackinac Island for the Department of Public Works for the landfill, composting, and recycling facility.

In Harrisonville, Curt and Judy Munson's septic drain field is "just barely across" state park property, said Mr. Porter.

Debra and Sandra Orr own two lots near Little Stone Church.

Each lot has a portion of the backyard on state park land. Also, they have a lot in Harrisonville where a portion of a barn wall is on state park land.

Stairs leading to Trinity Episcopal Church and the parish hall are on state park land.

Commissioners also approved three subleases for the West Bluff lot owned by Lydia Pennock and East Bluff land owned by Alice Myron and by Holly Mull and family. A $150 fee is assessed for a sublease, which allows cottage owners to rent their homes.

The land on the bluffs is owned by the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, while the cottages are owned by the lease holders.

Lynne Piippo, executive director of the St. Ignace Visitors Bureau, presented commissioners with a letter that expressed concerns over a park staff member who holds a seat on the Mackinaw Area Visitors Bureau.

She requested the commission to establish a policy to prohibit employees from "serving in capacities that would bring them into conflicts of interest such as this."

In her letter, Mrs. Piippo asked commissioners, "How can the Mackinac State Historic Parks possibly market their attractions fairly when their marketing staff has an interest in the success of another entity competing directly with us [St. Ignace]?"

The commission took no action on the matter.

Local area leaders included Mackinac Island City Alderman Armand "Smi" Horn, Mackinaw City Village President Robert Heilman and City Manager Jeff Lawson, and Ms. Piippo.

Commissioners next meet Friday, July 20, at 1:30 p.m. at Post Hospital at Fort Mackinac.