Will city airportland studies fly?

By Scott Sullivan
Editor
Saugatuck City Council Monday approved three proposals to assess the city’s airport property. The land, surrounded by Saugatuck Township, lies east off 63rd Street bordering on an old landfill where 134th Avenue ends east of the expressway.
Fleis & Vandenbrink engineering will conduct environmental assessments of the 170-acre largely-undeveloped parcel, one for what is called the old airport property, the other for the ex-landfill, for a combined $9,650.
In addition, the Outdoor Discovery Center will address environmental improvement opportunities on the tracts plus review and map existing trails for not more than $6,500.
The measure passed 5-2, with council members Russ Gardner and Gregory Muncey asking why the city, with no current plans for land, would prioritize studies of it over spending on more-immediate needs such as road improvements.
Approving the Fleis proposal, recommended city manager Ryan Heise with Mayor Scott Dean and fellow council member Helen Baldwin, Garnet Lewis and Lauren Stanton concurring, “will allow basic due diligence on the historical uses of the property and note any items of concern.” Member Holly Leo was not present.
“At a minimum, the City should have an understanding of the environmental conditions of the property but have not utilized. A Phase I ESA will also be helpful in the grant application process for any future projects,” he continued.
The parks and public works committee, Heise noted, has recommended council approve the proposal. “Given the likelihood that there will be strong public interest in conversations related to this property, the committee adds, optional planning sessions be included.”
The then Village of Saugatuck bought the land circa 1932 and in 1936 won a $1,231 Depression era Works Project Administration (WPA) grant to grade and improve two runways.
The Commercial Record July 29, 1932 reported, “The promoters are hoping and expecting this port to be one of the best licensed ports in the state. Three planes will be there over the weekend for commercial and pleasure flying.”
Per Saugatuck Douglas History Center records, after the paper reported “a gang of men are working on the airport project, more will be employed as the snow leaves” Feb. 14, 1936, little more was said about progress.
A 1940 letter writer complained that the village “had no right” to buy the land. “It’s no good as an airport, and we don’t need one anyway.” According to figures he presents, the village purchased 170 acres for $1,750, but sold timber on the tract for $600, making the total cost only $1,150.
“In 1948,” the SDHC account continues, “the village officially gave up on the airport idea and planted 6,000 white spruce on the land. Access from town grew more difficult after I-196 was built, interrupting 134th, in the early 1960s.
It since has been leased to a snowmobile club, whose clubhouse later was leased by the New Age senior citizens club. Part of the land has also been used as a firing range and a city public works storage area.
The ODC map reproduced nearby shows its estimation of the existing trail structure plus two features of note: a pair of vernal ponds and potential overlook.
The city for years has entertained proposals for the parcel’s use, mindful also its real estate sales value would likely increase. What value would developing it, whatever the use, return?
“We’re investing in data that can help us make wise decisions,” said Dean, “at such time as we may do.”