PETOSKEY — The Petoskey City Council made its intentions clear about the Little Traverse Wheelway during their meeting on Monday, April 20.
The council had previously discussed a lawsuit regarding a property easement along the wheelway in the ruined “Miracle Mile” section. The popular and scenic segment suffered a major coastal bluff collapse in 2020 and has been closed ever since. Current plans to rebuild along the one-mile stretch are estimated to cost nearly $20 million.
At the council’s March 2 meeting, the public pushed back on a proposed settlement agreement in Lo vs. City of Petoskey that would see the city release the Los’ easement. After meeting in closed session on April 20, Mayor John Murphy told the audience that “It’s the city council’s intentions to preserve the easements of the trail.”
“The city council has authorized the city attorney to continue discussions with the Los with the intent to preserve existing easements while addressing the Los’ concerns,” he said.
The council’s statement was met with relief by many community members in attendance.
“I cannot tell you how grateful I am to what the council has said here tonight. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you,” said resident John Rohe. “For you to say that speaks so much to the people of this community … You have to know how much gratitude there is.”
Resident Maggie Kromm also urged the council “not to agree to any terms that risk the permanent loss of trail easements of future public access.”
“We know the damaged section presents real challenges,” she said. “But relinquishing easements closes the door on future solutions, whether that’s repair, rerouting or long-term investment. Preserving the easement keeps options alive. Once it’s gone, we don’t get that opportunity back. I respectfully ask that you prioritize protecting public access and maintaining control of this corridor for future generations. Please do not agree to any settlement that puts that at risk.”
— Contact Jillian Fellows at jfellows@petoskeynews.com.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Petoskey council commits to preservation of Little Traverse Wheelway
Reporting by Jillian Fellows, The Petoskey News-Review / The Petoskey News-Review
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