ALLEGAN CO. LAND CONVEYANCE S.B. 642 (S-2): FLOOR ANALYSIS
Senate Bill 642 (Substitute S-2 as reported) Sponsor: Senator William Van Regenmorter Committee: Local, Urban and State Affairs
The bill would permit the State Administrative Board to do the following:
-- Transfer from the Department of Corrections (DOC) to the Department of Natural Resources a parcel of land described in the bill as being located in Laketown Township, Allegan County, that was under the jurisdiction of the DOC.
-- Convey for $1 to Laketown Township property under the DOC’s jurisdiction, including the Dunes Correctional Facility.
The bill also provides that the conveyed property would have to be used for a public purpose, except for a two-year period in which the township was preparing the site, and upon termination of that use, the State could repossess the property.
Legislative Analyst: L. Arasim
The property referenced in the bill encompasses approximately 44 acres and includes the former Dunes Correctional Facility constructed and renovated between 1964 and 1978 and the original mansion constructed in 1922. The parcel is immediately adjacent to a Department of Natural Resources State Park. The facilities have been largely vacant since 1991. The Department of Corrections has indicated that it costs approximately $113,000 annually to maintain the property. The bill proposes the conveyance of one parcel to Laketown Township of approximately 43 acres to be used for a public purpose and a transfer of .68 acre to the Department of Natural Resources for access to the adjacent State Park. The township has indicated that very preliminary plans include razing the prison housing unit while maintaining the mansion in order to preserve its historical value. The township estimates that demolition of the prison housing unit would cost
$700,000. The township plans to ask voters in November of this year to approve a millage to finance the cost of demolition and any capital costs associated with development of the parcel.
To the degree that the property would be conveyed for a public purpose, with a reverter clause, and that the Department of Corrections would be released from maintenance and security obligations, the Department of Corrections would realize a savings of $113,000 annually.
An impact on the township would result from the township’s assumption of any maintenance and security costs and costs associated with demolition of facilities and development of the property.
Date Completed: 9-29-95 Fiscal Analyst: R. Abent
floor\sb642
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.