The Record-Eagle (and today's Enterprise) report that Brad Lutz, who signed a purchase agreement for the resort in February, announced Tuesday he won't close because he hasn't finished his review of the deal.
"We're still very interested in Sugar Loaf. We've done a lot of work out there and we still have a good plan for the property," Lutz said. "But we couldn't accomplish in 90 days what others haven't been able to accomplish in eight years."
...Lutz declined to discuss his plans in detail, but said he wanted to make the resort more of a four-season attraction in Leelanau County. He said he also needed more time to work on details like county and township approvals for renovating the property, tying down building demolition costs and reaching and resolving sewer issues as the resort's sewer system is not part of Wickstrom's holdings.
Read Purchaser pulls back on Sugar Loaf deal in the Traverse City Record-Eagle and also see Offers for Sugar Loaf shot down from the Leelanau Enterprise.
The photo is (still) waiting for Sugar Loaf by Andy McFarlane (who is still (still) waiting for Sugar Loaf).
The Leelanau Conservancy recently completed a purchase that will expand the protected areas along Victoria Creek (Cedar River) to a total of 300 acres with over two miles of Lake Leelanau shoreline and connecting channels along the waterways within the Solon Swamp wetland complex (scroll down and click the small map to view the protected areas).
“Purchasing the property was like putting in a key piece of a puzzle,” adds Price. “Now, both banks of the Cedar River from the village of Cedar all the way down to Lake Leelanau are owned by either the State or the Conservancy and open to the public to explore and enjoy.” The new acquisition is strategic for another reason: the property includes about eight acres of dry upland along Co. Rd. 645, just east of the Village of Cedar, which will be the first access point along a public road north of the Cedar River and only the third road-access point into about 1,500 acres of Pere Marquette State Forest. Conservancy ownership of the 100 acres will allow the public to directly access 275 adjacent acres of State Forest which were previously inaccessible on foot because of the river.
The forested wetlands on the property are thick with northern white cedar, hemlock and spruce and with a large pocket of mature tamaracks in the 24 acres south of the river. This land has tremendous ecological value,” says Matt Heiman, a Conservancy land protection specialist who worked on the project. While a complete inventory of plant and animal species on the property will have to wait for the winter to unlock its grip, nearby land within the Cedar River Natural Area contains over 100 species of plants, including such gems as the carnivorous yellow pitcher plant, along with other species that grow in the most extensive and least-disturbed wetlands. Heiman adds that the land is part of a very large and diverse complex of forested swamp, cattail marsh, and freshwater fens, all connected by stream corridors.
The Polish community in Leelanau County originally consisted of four small settlements one or two miles apart. These settlements, Shomberg, Bodus, Cedar and Isadore began in 1868 when Polish families first started arriving in the county. The first wave of Poles in the county came to scout out the area. In the 1870s a large second wave came to join the scouting families. Many of these new families moved to Isadore. At that time Cedar was a nearly a ghost town, bereft of the trees that had led to the founding of the town. As the first generation of Polish immigrants began to retire the younger Poles moved to Cedar, building a thriving town known as Cedar City. Today Cedar is Leelanau County's central hub. People stop by Pleva's Meat for some nationally known PlevaLean burgers and cherry sausage, or Cedar City Market for its huge selection of fine wines, liquor, organic local foods, and local eggs, or just to chat with owner Phil Thiel. Blue Moon Ice Cream is easily recognizable with its bright blue roof and some of the best ice cream around; make sure to try the Grasshopper Shake, or a Morel soft serve cone. The historic railroad depot is now a great antique shop, and Inish Knits is a great place to stock up on yarn. Cedar celebrates its Polish history every year with the Cedar Polka Fest.
Wikipedia on Cedar, Michigan
Sugar Loaf area resident Bryan Poirier - who was up late practicing for the upcoming New Third Coast tour opening for Neil Young - was startled Sunday night to see "a bunch of lights zooming up and down the face of the mountain, but I just figured it was Jim Rennie 'sleep-grooming' again."
Rennie, another area resident, admitted that he had sought treatment for the rare sleep disorder. He said that he had been headed over to the Loaf to set a few gates "just for practice" when he too saw the strange lights. Upon arrival, he realized that the lights were a remarkable array of unidentified flying objects. By morning, county law enforcement officials and a growing crowd of curious onlookers were on the scene.
Calls to Sugar Loaf's owner, attorney and realtor went unanswered, setting people's minds somewhat at ease that it was still business as usual at the long-shuttered resort. Shortly after noon excitement was rekindled when, at a hastily called press conference, it was announced that Sugar Loaf Mountain had been sold ... to aliens!
The purchasing party is a consortium of several alien species who are calling themselves INVADER (Intergalactic Negotiators for Very Amicable Development of Extra-species Relationships). INVADER spokesman Klaatu announced the sale of Sugar Loaf for an undisclosed sum and pledged a massive investment in anti-gravity chair lifts and advanced alien snowmaking technology that would render the hills skiable 10 months out of the year.
When pressed about the selling price, Klaatu said "Long ago, we abandoned the concept of money ... along with war, starvation and reality television but I can tell you that all parties are happy with the outcome."
Alien attorney Zoth the Destroyer dismissed as "outrageous" speculation that the resort would be used as the beachhead for an alien invasion and regrettably ate our photographer, cutting the interview short. We did receive a lovely fruit basket by way of apology, however.
The Leelanau Enterprise talked to Brad Lutz regarding the listing of Sugar Loaf:
Lutz told the Enterprise on Wednesday morning that his “option to purchase” Sugar Loaf Resort from Wickstrom remains in force, and that he was still in the “due diligence” phase of his efforts to acquire the resort. Even though Wickstrom decided to list the property for sale after Lutz signed an agreement with her, he said "nothing has changed from my perspective."
Read Sugar Loaf listed for sale: Omena man still interested in the Enterprise.
I was chatting with Rob Serbin yesterday and he let me know that Sugar Loaf Resort has been listed on the MLS (for the low-low price of $5.7 million):
Michigan's famous Olympic mountain ski resort located in beautiful Leelanau county. This 478 acre (8 Parcel development) includes 144,000 Square foot lodge and hotel facility, airport, vacant land and much more!!
It's listed through the TheNetworkAgents.com and they direct questions about the state of the resort to Kate Wickstrom's attorney Joseph Quandt. According to the comment below, the listing is through Carolyn Collins at cjcollins.net (you can get it through the other link too).
I think it's important to note that right now, the fact that it's been listed probably doesn't mean a whole lot in regards to the Brad Lutz bid for the resort. Thanks also to Lex and everyone who emailed it over and stay tuned to our Sugar Loaf coverage (and look for something in tonight's Enterprise).
In Sugar Loaf deal reached in the Leelanau Enterprise, Eric Carlson reports that Omena resident Brad Lutz has signed an option to purchase Sugar Loaf Resort from Kate Wickstrom.
The resort has been closed for skiing since March 2000. Lutz offered no timetable for reopening the resort, but made it clear that he expects the return of skiing at Sugar Loaf to be "a central focus" of his efforts. The condition of ski lifts and other facilities at Sugar Loaf Resort is such that no skiing will be possible there this ski season.
"Of course, we want skiing to return," Lutz said. "Sugar Loaf has some of the best runs anywhere in the Midwest."
But, Lutz added, he is "going into this deal with some fear and trepidation" and is well aware that he may be facing many obstacles.
"I've heard people in Leelanau County say they'll believe it when they see it when it comes to Sugar Loaf," Lutz said. "Actually, that's just about the right attitude to have in this case. I'm enthusiastic, I'm local, and I believe in Leelanau County – but I have no illusions. This will not be simple or easy."
I have no illusions either, but I am excited to see some new life in a place that was once the winter heartbeat of Leelanau - here's hoping that we'll all be Sugar Loafers once again!
The annual Winter Fun Festival at the Cedar HillToppers Snowmobile Club will be held Sunday (Jan 20, 2008) from 2-4 PM. They stress "WEATHER PERMITTING!" and it looks like the weather WILL permit. Bring your sleds, toboggans, XC skis, snowshoes, or take a ride on a snowmobile or ATV. Great family fun, fresh air, and exercise!
Here is a map to the HillToppers Snowmobile Club at 7949 S. Schomberg Rd from Google Maps.
Photo Credit: Winter Carnival by Joel Gaff. You can view many more pics by Joel at Gaff Photography!
There's a lot happening this weekend - here's a list!
On Saturday (Dec 1) at 5 PM, head over to Nagonaba Street at Waukazoo in Northport for a community gathering downtown for official Northport Christmas Tree Lighting.
Check out the Higher Grounds Holiday Gift Gala on Saturday too!
Suttons Bay Holiday Happenings on Sunday (Dec 2) include free Christmas Concert at the Congregational Church (3 PM), Santa at the Silvertree Deli (3:30 - 5 PM) and Village Tree Lighting with refreshments at Silvertree (5 PM).
Cedar’s Christmas Party will be this Sunday (Dec 2) from 2-4 pm at the Solon Township Hall in Cedar. All materials will be provided to make wreaths, centerpieces, jewelry, and crafts for kids. Make it and take it home all at no charge. Come visit with friends and enjoy refreshments.
From noon to 4 PM on Sunday (Dec 2), the Grand Traverse Lighthouse hosts Christmas at the Lighthouse. It's a day long open house with featuring refreshments and the arrival of Santa (at 3 PM).
Come to the Village Green in Leland at 5 PM on Sunday (Dec 2) to light the Christmas tree. Then follow Santa to the Old Art Building to sing carols, meet Santa, and decorate Christmas cookies. Also on Saturday in Leland is the Merry Marketplace and Friday is Starlight Night.
On Monday (Dec 3) the Friendship Community Center in Suttons Bay hosts Evergreen Revelry. I don't know exactly what it is (or what time) but you can call them at 271-4630.
Did we miss something? Post it below!
The Leelanau Enterprise has a cool article about the impact of the "Bohemian Exodus", a migration of pioneers escaping troubles in central Europe during the 19th century. The migration had a big impact on Leelanau County and Traverse City, even to the point of causing a Leelanau village to be renamed:
“Godfrey Greilick was the patriarch of the pioneer family that contributed so much to the development of the local area,†Robert Wilson wrote in Grand Traverse Legends. “The little town of Norrisville was renamed Greilickville in honor of Godrey Greilick. Each of the six Greilick children made significant contributions to the community helping to establish a legacy for the Greilick name.â€
Godfrey, according to Wilson, was “a well known architect and building contractor in Kratzau, Bohemia.†Godfrey, who was “born in about 1810,†and his wife Theresa, left Europe with the family in 1847, arriving in New York on the Fourth of July. Unfortunately, a son, Ferdinand, died during the voyage and was buried at sea.
Also see our Leelanau on Location article about Greilickville!
