By Jim Bloch
The parcel is zoned residential, but functionally it’s one of the smallest parks you’ve ever seen. It sits just beyond the end of Palmer Street in the city of St. Clair on the seawalled bank of the St. Clair River wedged between two homes each with docks jutting over the water. Its official address is 1489 Oakland. The parcel features a bench and a waste receptable.
“Jerry Emig, the (city’s) approved real estate broker, has obtained an offer which has been reviewed by the city superintendent and (is) pending review of the city attorney,” said City Superintendent Steve Duchane in a memo about the proposed sale to Mayor Bill Cedar and the city council.
The purchase price was listed as 50,000. Emig would receive a six percent commission on the sale — $3,000. The prospective buyer was not identified.
The council unanimously rejected the offer at its regular meeting May 18.
Council member Micha Volz made the motion to sell the parcel, supported by Mayor Pro Tem Mike LaPorte.
The city has embarked on a new effort to sell unwanted property and use the revenue for infrastructure improvements.
“I drove by the lot just to see what it was,” said Volz, as heard on the recording of the meeting by CTV-Channel 6, posted on YouTube. “I didn’t realize we had a city park that small on the river. It literally has a bench and a waste can on it. It’s an unbuildable lot. We’ve been maintaining it for years and getting no money on the tax rolls for it. (It’s) so tiny you wouldn’t even know it’s there. Let’s get rid of it. I don’t see a city need for it.”
“I’ve heard it’s used by residents in the third ward for the boat races, the Fourth of July,” said council member Mitch Kuffa.
“Fishing,” said Mayor Bill Cedar.
“Lots of fishing,” said council member Kris Paul.
“So that’s my ward down there and (it’s) kind of the only access (residents) have (to the St. Clair River) south of the Pine River,” said council member Erin Gottler. “I really didn’t give it too much thought until the calls I got this week from people who are close
by. I’m not aware of any vandalism there or police calls – complaints, if you will. I’m inclined to reject (the offer), based on what people in my area want.”
Mayor Cedar agreed.
“It looks like a park,” said Cedar. “It’s got a park bench. It may not be zoned a park –”
Kuffa and Paul suggested rezoning it “parks and recreation.”
“Once we get rid of it, we’ll never get it back,” said Gottler.
“If we were dire straits, I’d say grab the money and run,” said Cedar. “But maintaining access to that river, I think, is important to our citizens.”
“It’s their park,” said Kuffa.
“Even though it’s not a big park, people go down there and fish,” said Cedar. “Sit on that bench. Watch the freighters. I think that’s important.”
Kuffa asked Police Chief Donovon Ennis if there were any problems at the site.
“I’ve been here 18-19 years, and I didn’t even know it existed,” said Ennis. “No, we’ve never had any issues down there.”
Volz joined his fellow council members and voted against the sale.
“Convinced by my colleagues,” Volz said.
Jim Bloch is a freelance writer based in St. Clair, Michigan. Contact him at bloch.jim@gmail.com.
