Supporters believe development will stimulate the town’s economic growth, while opponents say it is improper to take the land away from the public.

The 5.17-acre parcel was one part of 40 total acres of land the Michigan Department of Natural Resources sold the city for $1 for public purposes in 1972. The deed allows the city to sell the property when they no longer need it, according to a memo from City Attorney Laura Genovich.

On April 21, 1977, the city passed a resolution designating the property — a triangular space near Willow Creek Road and Third Avenue South — for “future recreational use.”

Since that time, no park, playground, walking trail, benches or anything else has been put on the property to transform it into something recreational.

This parcel of land owed by the City of Escanaba -- previously designated for public, recreational use -- will be opened up for bids and possibly developed into condos.

The city charter requires a 60% vote of support from the people to sell a park, but because this land has not been developed or utilized as a park, the attorney and city manager believe that exempts the city from needing a vote.

The State of Michigan confirmed that their deed transfer and request the land be made public was “not a forever restriction,” City Manager Jim McNeil said.

While council members were reassured by McNeil’s legwork into research and obtaining the legal opinion, residents felt that reversing the 1977 action just because it appears to be within the law is not in the spirit of the city charter.

“I know you have a legal opinion regarding the selling of this property, but … along with others in the community, we strongly feel that once this property was designated as a park, it became a park right then and there, and therefore requires a vote of the citizens to rescind that decision,” said Richard LaCosse, who lives on Third Avenue South.

LaCosse also mentioned that some years ago, another party approached the city about buying the land and was turned away because of its status.

The development team that approached the city more recently, Old State Development, has a plan to build condominiums on the site — 25 single-story units with attached garages — under the name Stonebrook Condominiums. They offered the city $44,000 for the 5.17-acre property, which Delta Appraisal Services appraised at a fair market value of $35,000.

With no park development at the site for almost 50 years, “Why not consider something that brings progress?” council member Tyler Dubord asked. “At this point, we have an opportunity to bring progression. And housing has always been an issue that we hear on every survey we send out to the citizens. Every conversation we have is housing. How do we get more housing within this community? Well, we’re limited on land, limited on lots. We’re not having 20 developers knocking at our door right now, but we have a couple, and this opportunity brings us that ability to look at future development, bringing housing.”

One of the developers on the project, Judy Owens, said 25 new condos in town will allow aging people currently living in family-sized homes they don’t need to move out — downsizing into the condos — thereby opening up houses in Escanaba for young families.

“We have to build housing to meet the needs … Otherwise, we’re going to put ourselves in a situation where people will live elsewhere and maybe work in Escanaba. The property you have right now doesn’t generate tax revenue for you. These developments would generate tax revenue for a long, long time that would make it well worthwhile,” said Ed Legault, executive director of the Delta County Economic Development Alliance.

Ultimately, the city decided to overturn the 1997 designation, with some council members acknowledging it is too late to put the matter on the November ballot and that waiting too long could lead to the developer walking away. Voting to rescind the ’77 resolution were council members Todd Flath, Karen Moore, Dubord and Mayor Mark Ammel; council member Ron Beauchamp voted no to keep the land saved for public recreational use.

However, instead of selling the land immediately for development into Stonebrook Condominiums, the council decided it would be fairer to open the property up for bids. Proposals will be accepted for a three-week period to give other potential developers a chance.

Other business at Thursday’s council meeting included:

— Selling another six lots for development. These lots, roughly one-third acre each, are along South 32nd Street, just a little bit south of the triangular parcel discussed above. Moyle Homes submitted an offer of $120,000, and although the city countered with $150,000, the developers explained that costs in Escanaba were already higher than in other places, McNeil said.

“Following the acquisition of these lots, Moyle Homes LLC plans to develop new, stick-built homes with modern features and quality, name-brand building materials. The homes are anticipated to be between 1,900 and 2,100 square feet of finished living space, with either split-level or two-story designs. Each home will include an attached two-to-three car garage and feature three to four bedrooms. The construction is planned to be phased over the next 12 to 16 months, with one to two homes becoming move-in ready every few months,” read a memorandum from McNeil.

— Approving a special event application for the Bonifas Arts Center. To raise funds and to allow the public to see where they are in the rebuilding process after the fire that happened this spring, the arts center will have an event called “Raise the Roof” on Sept. 25 and close part of Seventh Street and First Avenue South near the building between 3:30 and 11 p.m.

— Accepting a four-year energy waste reduction plan. The city also entered into a participation agreement for the Michigan Public Power Agency Retail Energy Improvement Program Project. Prior to a presentation by Electric Utility Director Gerald Pirkola, who stated that the plan meets state requirements, resident and Electrical Advisory Committee member John Anthony spoke in favor of the plan during public comment, stating that a lot of back-and-forth discussion was involved in its development.

— Authorizing installing a series of new traffic control signs around the city. Per a request by Escanaba Public Safety Director Smith, the installations will include: “No Parking Here to Corner” signs in the 1500 block and 1600 blocks of Sheridan Road; “Yield” sign at the intersection of North 23rd St. and 12th Avenue North; a 25 mph sign in the 1900 block of 17th Avenue North; a “Yield” sign at the intersection of 26th Avenue South and South 22nd St.; “No Parking” signs on the east side of the 1000 block of North 16th Street; and stop signs at South 22.5 Drive and 18th Avenue South, South 21.5 Drive and 18th Avenue South, South 21st Place and 18th Avenue South, and 22nd Place and 18th Avenue South.

— Appointing Gregg Novacheck to the Board of Library Trustees and Gabe Kluka to the Electrical Advisory Committee.

— Discussing but not taking action on feeding wild animals within the city. McNeil said that residents complaints about neighbors feeding deer are not uncommon. Council members noted that encouraging deer to come into the city could cause more car-deer accidents and lead to the deer devouring neighboring gardens, but they did not seem to feel that an ordinance barring their feeding was warranted.

“If you could possibly resist from putting actual bait piles or deer licks in your backyard — maybe please consider the impact it might have,” said Ammel, addressing the city at large. “Sometimes working together and pitching in means quietly just being a good neighbor, a good resident, a good citizen, and considering others when we decide to do something that we like.”