Question

[shinblind]

Can anyone tell me who owns the lot delineated by Loomis, William and Robert? It is the vacant half block south of Wesco and the Garden Center?

Also who owns the lot south east of the Loomis Street Fish Cleaning Facility?  The one that runs south of Loomis and west of Lakeshore Drive?

[XLFD]

The first belonged to David Ward until he sold it in 2012 to Morris Street LLC.  Being a long term Torch holder, you may recall the Morris Street LLC name from this Ludington's Downtown Blight article, they currently own the bowling alley block too. 

Just last year, it also came up during the selling of the old lumberyard to the fire station right here where they are intermediaries in the complex transaction.  Want more?  John Wilson represents MS LLC at least according to the MCP, which would likely mean Bob Neal does too. 

[shinblind]

If you were using private funds to construct building on the NAPA-Fire Barn block wouldn't it make more sense to put the buildings on the east side along Rath rather than on the west side along Robert Street?  Isn't this a more pedestrian friendly area for the ground floor retail establishments they plan on having?

Also the land is physically higher along Rath and more stable. Isn't the area along Robert Street an old bayou filled in with sawdust? Wouldn't the expense of having to use helix-footings be better spent on other amenities? Isn't the area along Robert better suited for a parking lot?

And if they have to install underground utilities wouldn't they be more expensive to stabilize along Robert Street? 

The unstable land was a factor why no private developer was willing to touch this property.

The location of these buildings is troubling. 

Even factoring in that it is to be built with State funds the location of the buildings doesn't make a lot of sense. 

Unless you control the lot across the street.

Would you not profit if you owned the lot across from these building? Would you not profit if the infrastructure was stabilized at someone else's expense? Of course you would directly and indirectly profit.

That is why I was curious who owned this lot.

[XLFD]

Profound points, shinblind.  These lots on Loomis being in possession of Morris Street LLC means they are set up for future development anyhow.  If I am not mistaken, the NW corner of the intersection at Rath and Loomis Street is where the first Ludington City Hall was located, a rather stately building like the post office, and would be well-suited for another multistory effort, which would also improve the downtown 'density' if I properly understand that term.

[XLFD]

Are you asking about the parcel circled on this map?

[shinblind]

Yes that is correct.

[Willy]

I think the property south and east of the toilets belongs to the City

[XLFD]

I can't find anything that counters Willy's thought.  This property will be a part of future phases of the West End Project, so it presumes it is part of park holdings already.

[shinblind]

This would make a better  location for the city beer tent than the West End Scheme 

[Willy]

Judging from the shape of that lot, the indented centers and mounded perimeter I'm guessing it was used as some form of holding area or ponds. It may have been used as a septic field at one time or another.

[AQUAMAN]

Methinks you are on the correct trail again Willy. Per some reliable sources in the 60's, this was used as a dump, per other city officials now long since gone. For about only 5 years I understand. Quite a revelation imho.

[shinblind]

I  found out that the two depressions are designed to be some sort of catch basin for runoff for the parking lot. As far as I know the majority of the parking lot does not drain in this direction. Most likely one of those things that you need to satisfy the environmental requirements for using Government money.

The plans for  West End Scheme show this area being paved over making a bigger parking lot.

Oh and they have a name for the end of area of the half-assed round-about that they have planned for the end of Ludington Avenue.  Sunset Cove.

So the townies will soon be able to drive down to Sunset Cove and try to catch a glimpse of the Lake through the pavilion, movable sculpture, kayak lockers, crappy landscaping and whatever else they install to ruin the view.

And let's not forget the Labor Day to Memorial Day snow fence.

[jfc123]

Until a kayaker goes through the break wall, capsizes in high surf and drowns, then the whole city goes to the toilet due to lawsuits, Lake Michigan is no place to kayak! Wanna do that start at the creamy corners drain, once its clean is a much safer and enjoyable ride no doubt!