The Curtis family, who have lived or summered at Pier Cove for generations, face not just the fiscal and physical challenge, but emotional one, of salvaging what they can from matriarch Mary Ann’s Lake Michigan-fronting home. Near record-high Great Lakes levels, combined with winter wind and waves pounding from the west, have caused erosion that […]
News
Douglas pot hearing on tap Jan. 31
By Scott Sullivan Editor Douglas residents can weigh in on allowing recreational marijuana shops at a planning commission public hearing Friday, Jan. 31, in city hall, 86 W. Center St., starting at 4 p.m. Planners will consider amending the city’s current ordinance permitting medical marijuana shops (two are already on Blue Star Highway) to add […]
Expect even higher lake levels, Corps says
By Scott Sullivan Editor Owning waterfront property has become too much of good thing here with predicted record-high Great Lakes levels threatening to cause even more erosion, swallowing homes, roads and infrastructure, plus inland flooding. Saugatuck Township continues among local governments seeking state assistance, with its board Jan. 8 signing onto letters from area legislators […]
Township sets aside dune group’s plan
By Scott Sullivan Editor The Saugatuck Township Board Jan. 8 wasted little time scuttling a resolution supporting an alternate plan to North Shore of Saugatuck LLC’s proposed private boat basin after North Shore’s attorney weighed in opposing it. “I have concerns,” said Carl Gabrielse during public comments, “about your procedure. Placing a resolution on your […]
Growing hole only part of it
A southwest Saugatuck Township section of Lakeshore Drive narrowed and moved inland two months ago due to high-water Lake Michigan erosion is becoming still more threatened recently by development of this sinkhole. Here, Saugatuck Township Fire District Greg Janik inspects what by Jan. 30 had grown to a 10-foot diameter, 8-foot deep pit in front […]
Dunes advocates seek township backing
By Scott Sullivan Editor Four residents are asking the Saugatuck Township Board to pass a resolution supporting an alternate plan to North Shore of Saugatuck LLC’s proposed private boat basin. The board was scheduled Wednesday, Jan. 8, to consider a request by Dave and Liz Engel, Dayle Harrison and Kathi Bily Wallace to support stronger […]
Douglas eyes reworking 2-year-old path
By Scott Sullivan Editor A tour in December by Douglas city, police, public works, Interurban and fire department officials identified concerns about the non-motorized trail west of Blue Star Highway the city installed two years ago. Per Dec. 16 city council committee of the whole minutes, the group’s assessment of the median-separated stretch between Center […]
Schools offer pre-bond building tours
By Scott Sullivan Editor Residents seeking more information about the Saugatuck Public Schools’ $35.6-million bond request for facilities improvement during the March 10 primary vote are invited to a series of building tours. Guided sessions at Douglas Elementary and Saugatuck Middle/High School, both beginning in their main offices, will highlight proposed renovation areas as well […]
Wicks band shell part of Saugatuck’s larger parks plan
Jim Hayden, Correspondent A new band shell along the Kalamazoo River is the first step in making improvements at Wicks Park. Saugatuck City Council accepted a $100,000 donation Dec. 23 from the David Balas Jim Sellman Living Trust for the new structure. “This shows the generosity of the people and their feelings toward Saugatuck,” said […]
Saugatuck City first to sign onto new joint trail plan
Jim Hayden, Correspondent Planning for the Blue Star Trail through Saugatuck and Douglas cities and Saugatuck Township moved forward Dec. 23 when Saugatuck City unanimously approved a Joint Study Committee for the nonmotorized path project. Douglas and the township still need to sign on to the committee that will set the scope of construction, maintenance […]