City to develop snowmobile trail
City to develop snowmobile trail
By STEPHEN STACY Journal Ishpeming Bureau
NEGAUNEE — Negaunee is pursuing the development of a new snowmobile trail through the city.
Meeting Wednesday morning, the Negaunee City Council authorized the city manager to enter into a five-year trail permit agreement with Hiawatha Trails Inc. for development of the trail.
Hiawatha, which is under contract with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to develop and maintain snowmobile trails, will submit an application with the DNR this week in the hopes of receiving funds for the development of the trail system. Funds will be dispersed by the state in early October.
According to City Manager Gerald Peterson, work to develop and place appropriate signs could begin sometime after Oct. 1.
“This is going to be a desirable trail for snowmobilers to be on because of the panoramic views — it’s really going to help our development and economic prospects,” Peterson said.
The snowmobile trail, which will be part of the Iron Ore Heritage Area trail system, will parallel non-motorized trails through former caving grounds. The trail would eventually link motorized trails to the west of Negaunee with the trail system to the east.
In other business, Peterson recommended the commission to discuss the sale of excess property the city purchased from CCI in 2003. The property, which contains about 478 acres, lies south of M-28 from Cliffs Drive to Miller and Makinen’s Road.
“It would be my recommendation that you not not sell off the property until you’ve decided what the zoning on this property should be,” Peterson said. “We’ll need to spend a fair amount of time with the planning commission before these properties go out to bid.”
The council intends to meet with the planning commission next month to discuss the council’s objectives as part of the land reuse plan.
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