Leelanau Groomer by TART Trails
News from the Week
Stories from the week included a roundup of Leelanau County webcams, a cool aerial photo of Leelanau's northwestern shore and the fascinating tale of a potential pre-historic Stonhenge beneath Grand Traverse Bay.
The Week's Weather
We lost our snow but got it all back with interest over the week.
February 19, 2009: A good deal of snow, wind & teens (19/15)
February 20, 2009: Light snow & 20s (26/4)
February 21, 2009: Heavy snow & teens (25/2)
February 22, 2009: Partly sunny & 20s (25/20)
February 23, 2009: Sunny & 20 (21/2)
February 24, 2009: Early sun, afternoon clouds & 30 (34/-1)
February 25, 2009: Cloudy, wet snow/rain & 30s (37/22)
<Leelanau Almanac for the Week of February 26 - March 4, 2009
Leelanau Almanac for the Week of February 12-18, 2009>
In Offers to buy 'Loaf' revealed, Eric Carlson of the Leelanau Enterprise brings us up to date on the state of Sugar Loaf in a well-researched article. He says that numerous offers to buy Sugar Loaf Resort from the "unnamed guarantors" of the mortgage have been made ... and rejected.
Real estate agent Allen Reed is quoted as saying that Kate Wickstrom appears to be out of the picture and also that the buildings are now viewed as more of a liability than an asset. Real estate agent and County Commissioner David "Chauncey" Shiflett of Leland agrees with Reed's assessment. Shiflett helped establish the county's new Brownfield Redevelopment Authority and new Land Bank Fast Track Authority.
Clearly a "blighted or obsolete" property, Sugar Loaf Resort may present an opportunity for a developer interested in benefiting from special tax incentives as well as government loans and grants available for cleanup and redevelopment through the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority.
In addition, the county's newly-formed Land Bank Fast Track Authority has the legal ability to "quiet title" on certain properties where ownership is contested, unclear or potentially subject to forfeiture due to unpaid property taxes - circumstances which might describe Sugar LoafResort. Action by the two county authorities could attract a private developer willing to take on project to redevelop Sugar Loaf Resort.
"I have no idea whether the newly seated Leelanau County Board of Commissioners will support the idea of doing something to improve the situation there," Shiflett said. "But I know that trying to do so is something that I will be focusing on. I know that many of our constituents support the idea of the county taking some action to help revive Sugar Loaf."
Chauncey is quoted at the end of the article saying that:
"In some economies, it might not make sense for a county government to get too deeply involved in something like this, but we're not in a normal economy right now – and now may be the right time for the county to help spearhead an effort to revive Sugar Loaf."
Over the holidays, I looked around at the downtowns, and while I saw some activity, to me it looked like every winter weekend back in the day when Sugar Loaf was a going concern. I'm wondering what you think about whether or not the county government should get involved.
Our first major blizzard of the season has closed schools and rendered roads treacherous. As we head into the winter season, it's probably a good time to dust off some links to help you deal with winter.
The TV 9&10 School Closing Page will let you know if your school is closed or on a delay and you can set your school so you see it at the top.
Once you know school is closed, you'll want to get out and enjoy that snow. A great place to start is our Ski Leelanau page. It offers reports for downhill skiing at The Homestead and Crystal Mountain resort and also cross-country skiing trail reports.
If you want to range a little further afield, check out these Michigan skiing articles & links from Absolute Michigan!
The photo is 'Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow'! by John Levanen and if you have another link that you like, share it in the comments!
From the "News you might have been able to write by looking out the window" department comes a report from the Traverse City Record-Eagle that the first part of this winter may pack the biggest punch. They quote meteorologist Keith Berger of the National Weather Service in Gaylord as saying:
"The last couple of years we've had a mild start to winter and more snow in the latter half, but it looks like it might switch that this year.
What we're thinking it's going to look like is the first part of winter will be a touch on the cooler side with a good amount of snow, maybe slightly above normal. The last half of winter may be more mild, from mid- to late-January through February and March, it may be less snowy and a bit above normal temperatures."
Photo: Ohhhh Baby it's cold outside! by jsorbieus
One bright spot is that ski resorts around the state are opening early!
Over on our Absolute Michigan web site, we're featuring Leelanau's own National Lakeshore in Dig Michigan: Sleeping Bear Dunes. It begins:
The October 21, 1970 Act of Congress that established the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore declared that "...the Congress finds that certain outstanding natural features, including forests, beaches, dune formations, and ancient glacial phenomena, exist along the mainland shore of Lake Michigan and on certain nearby islands in Benzie and Leelanau Counties, Michigan, and that such features ought to be preserved in their natural setting and protected from developments and uses which would destroy the scenic beauty and natural character of the area."
Before it's all over, you will have hopefully enjoyed the photos, maps and links and checked out 5 "must-do" ways to experience the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. (I'm hoping folks who know and love the Dunes can add many more tips for visitors!)
Check it out - I'm really happy with how it came out!
Photo: canyon of trees by metrolens
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 Grand Traverse Lighthouse is located inside of the Leelanau State Park on the Lake Michigan shoreline at the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula. The lighthouse was occupied by the U.S. Coast Guard from 1941 until it was closed in 1972. It has since been restored to resemble the keeper's house of the 1920's and 1930's. The Lighthouse and Fog Signal Building both have exhibits on the maritime history of the area.
Cool things to do: check out the exhibits on shipwrecks and local history. Climb the tower and look at Lake Michigan and the northern Leelanau Peninsula. Listen to the restored air diaphone foghorn every Saturday. There are 8 1/2 miles of hiking and skiing trails, with picnic areas and a scenic overlook. There is alot do here.
There is also the Volunteer Lighthouse Keeper Program at The Grand Traverse Lighthouse which provides the perfect opportunity for people who love lighthouses. From April through December, you can spend one or two rewarding weeks staying in the lighthouse as a lighthouse keeper.
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 Enterprise has a little more about Sugar Loaf in this week's paper, but since they haven't posted it, I thought I'd link to this article about Sugar Loaf suitors and Omena residents Brad & Linda Lutz from last week.
I should also link over to the Traverse City Record-Eagle, whose editors say Brad has a steep hill to climb and though:
It's easy to imagine Brad Lutz as just another Sugar Loaf victim in waiting. He's never done this before and he is treading where others have failed.
But a lot of people also wrote off Ray Minervini, the developer who took over the Grand Traverse Commons and, step by step, has revitalized parts of the former state hospital grounds.
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!
