Leland Heritage Celebration ~ September 18 & 19, 2010
Sugar Loaf Vision Session Report now available
The Sugar Loaf Vision Session Report is now available and the Traverse City Record-Eagle has a report on the results that says most residents:
…want to see it either returned to a popular tourist destination or converted to a community recreational center.
Those options were the clear favorites gleaned from June meetings designed to help township officials determine zoning and land use for the Sugar Loaf area, said Leelanau County Planner Trudy Galla.
The two most popular concepts aren't mutually exclusive, nor do they rule out other ideas that may still be incorporated into preliminary drafts, she said.
"This is just the beginning, so whatever ends up being developed for there could be quite different," Galla said.
…Some activities mentioned in the report ranged from extreme sports and water slides to bungee-jumping and golf.
A community recreational center scenario came from those who prefer a more family oriented, quieter use geared mostly toward locals. That conceptual plan includes an athletic and spa center, restaurant, sports fields and skiing interspersed with residential housing.
What do you think should be done with Sugar Loaf? Post your comments below!
The visioning results are all well and good and hopefully some progress will be made soon in the redevelopment of the resort, especially in the winter sports, in particular, downhill skiing. But the greater issue is the hotel itself which is a disgrace to the surrounding area. It should and must be demolished now. The exterior is rapididly deteriorating and the interior is rampant with toxic mold and is a haven for wild animals. It is a fire hazard as well. Property values are depressed because of it.
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Comment by Tony Mattar — August 27, 2009 @ 11:41 am
Just out of historical interest–there is some mention in the report about the potential renaming of Sugar Loaf, and so I wondered: what was the peak called prior to 1964, the opening of the ski resort? I can't imagine the mountain was called that before, since the name has skiing associations in several states' locations. What would a lumberjack in 1880 have called it? Or a Glen Arbor townsman in 1925?
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Comment by Colin — October 23, 2009 @ 12:42 pm
I don't care what it is as long as I can ski it.
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Comment by Ted Hughes — November 24, 2009 @ 1:26 pm
I think you should overbuild and create a massive base village with hundreds of un-necessary condos and townhomes. That's what we do out west!
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Comment by Utah Skier — March 11, 2010 @ 10:44 pm
We've done that at resorts here too…
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Comment by farlane — March 12, 2010 @ 6:58 am
As much as I don't want that to happen, it's pretty much a must if an owner(s) want to make a profit. Money is made at ski areas thru food, drink, golf(which they don't have) and real estate.
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Comment by lex — March 14, 2010 @ 8:57 pm
http://www.record-eagle.com/local/local_story_093000515.html
Interesting article in the record-eagle. I don't know the guy personally, but do know some of his work. Looking forward to seeing what people think and what happens. Got my fingers crossed again.
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Comment by lex — April 5, 2010 @ 10:13 am
His web site is interesting. It seems he has a lot of bad luck after the initial acquisition stage of his projects.
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Comment by mike — April 5, 2010 @ 11:21 am
The Block in tahoe, I remember this. There was a major construction that was out of his hands. The city wanted to do this and it caused issues to other businesses as well. Yeah, I see bad luck, but I also see learning from experiences and owning up to things as a plus. For sure, he needs to some big investors since it's one thing to acquire the resort…it's another to get it going.
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Comment by lex — April 5, 2010 @ 12:21 pm
I wish Mr. Smith the very best. Getting Sugarloaf up and running will benefit everyone – residents and guests alike. He may have a chance if he makes sure that the tentacles of Remo and Hanna Polselli are finally removed from the place.
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Comment by Sandra — April 5, 2010 @ 12:38 pm
He does seem to have a lot of successes as well as some awards. http://www.likosmith.com/index.html
I agree, I hope the Polselli's can step aside and not hold the place hostage anymore.
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Comment by lex — April 5, 2010 @ 2:00 pm