~ TWIN CITIES Z

CORPORATION

COLOMA, MICHIGAN... HOward 8-3153

June 22, 1967
FRANK LAHR, Treasurer 7/3fr Gregg Cathy
Mr. Glenn Gregg wn eahery Sas
Deputy Director, Parks and Recreation ee fil ae
Department of Conservation igi
Mason Bldg. po yet fom (Per teety

Vv

Lansing, Michigan
Dear Mr. Gregg,

Busy as you are with your manifold administration problems I
hesitate to add to your work, and would not write if I did
not feel there is justification and urgent need for this letter.

We discussed recently the local action regarding the Grand Mere
area. Just a brief review may put this in the proper perspective.

7 In the past two years the Grand Mere Association has raised and.
spent over $6000 ~ and many many hours of time and effort ~ to
develop pert for public acquisition of some 1000 acres of
— s dunes, bogs, and two miles of Lake Michigan
shoreline.

On June 6th in Lincoln township, by means of a referendum vote,
we successfully challenged recent action of the township
officials in rezoning some 300 acres of this area for commercial-
industrial use. The land has reverted back to residential
classification. This expression of public interest in support
of the aims of the GMA was despite strong opposition by township
officials, a Lakeshore Development Corp., local Jaycees, Local
Chamber of Commerce and local Lions Club. It was a testimonial
to the worth of this area, since in all of our activities we
have argued for public acquisition of the area.

Aside from the township opposition we have had general support
from the county (except as you are aware from the local
Republican senator). We are working thru the County Planning
Commission for formalization of such support.

At the State level recently the Michigan Parks Association

placed Grand Mere, alon th Sleeping Bear Dunes, as the two

priority areas for acquisition. Last year in the legislative
/-~ session there was wide support from knowledgeable conservation-
iste and scientists for acquisition of the area.

It is painfully obvious that lake frontage of any kind is short
in supply and high in costs-and both trends will continue.

@B

page 2 6/22/67
Mr. Glenn Gregg

‘Recently the owner of some 300 acres of Grand Mere, Judge Philip
Shapiro of Chicago, died. His estate, estimated at $25,000,000,
is the hands of the Northern Trust Co. of Chicago. This
land may soon be available.

Mr. Victor Peters, Winnetka, Illinois, owner of some 500 to 600
acres, may be more receptive to some proposal since the rezoning
to commercial~industrial has been rejected. Especially if it
ean be tied in with some Limited commercial development at the
interchange on I-94.

Mr. Ruseell Manley, Manley Bros Sand Company will undoubtedly
be hard to deal with. He owns some 150 acres. At the Local
level we will continue to seek zoning restrictions which will
make sand mining more expensive.

Of immediate concern is the fact that some 22 acres of duneland
area is on the market at about $2500 per acre. This is adjacent
to property owned by Manniey and he is likely to buy it and
mine the sand. This could lead to selling by the smaller Land
owners at the south end of Grand Mere at distressed prices to
sand mining interests.

We know that legislation this year is unlikely. Also we know
that you have more demands for funds than are available - but
we also feel that there is need for action new if this Land
is to be eventually acquired for public use.

The GMA cannot continually raise money, hire lawyers and fight
the battle with sand mining interests as we have for the past

two years.

The recent local election is an expression of definite support
for preservation and eventually public acquisition of the area.

The immediate problem is the 22 acres mentioned ~- and the
Shapiro property. Are there any fucds available for optioning
the property for a year?

Last year the approach made by the Department to the owners
was not an impressive one and was not pursued. With these
recent changes and with hope of fund availability next year,
are you not in a position to make a strong approach to the
Shapire and Peters interests at this time?

Can you recommend any course of action to us at the Local
Level? :

We would very much like to discuss courses of mutual benefit.
Sincerely,

FL/mas Prank Lahr
ce:Mr. Ralph A. MacMullan

Director,

Department of Conservation