CENTRAL PARK BALLOT PROPOSAL INFORMATION

AVAILABLE ON CITY WEBSITE AND MGTV-5

In the November 7, 2006, General Election, Midland voters will have the chance to cast their ballot on a proposal regarding the sale and reuse of the portion of Central Park on which the former Midland Civic Arena now stands.

To prepare for that vote, citizens are encouraged to visit the City of Midland website (www.midland-mi.org) to find more information on this topic.

Two concept designs are posted on the website: one showing how the park would look with a proposed senior housing facility on it; and one showing the land without the proposed facility.

Links to reports on this topic are also available online. On the City’s Home Page, look for the Central Park Ballot Proposal link.

This issue will also be featured in an MGTV-5 special program, “Community Question: Civic Arena” during the month of October.

The former Civic Arena, the Central Park pool area, and an adjacent parking lot sit on 4.6 acres of the 18-acre Central Park. What to do with those 4.6 acres has been a subject of much study and discussion in the community since the old arena was closed in 2005.

The proposal being considered is for the City of Midland to sell the 4.6-acre site to the Villas at Central Park, LLC, to redevelop the site into a senior citizen residential facility. However, because of two provisions in the City Charter, the sale and use of park property is restricted.

Section 5.7 of the Charter states that City property designated as park land cannot be discontinued as park land or used for purposes other than public recreation unless approved by a majority of those voting at a general election. In addition, Section 4.7(c) of the Charter states that a park cannot be sold without the approval of 3/5 of the electorate.

On November 7, voters will have the chance to vote on whether or not this City-owned property can be sold and developed as proposed. The Central Park Ballot Proposal is below:

Shall 4.6 acres out of a total of 18 acres of Central Park (as more particularly described below) be discontinued as park property and the City of Midland be granted authority to sell said proposed discontinued Central Park property to the Villas of Central Park, LLC pursuant to City Charter provision §4.7(c) for the purposes of redevelopment of the former Midland Civic Arena into a senior citizen residential project?

LEGAL DESCRIPTION: Commencing at the intersection of the South Line of Rodd Street and the East Line of Collins Street in Section 16, Town 14 North, Range 2 East, City of Midland, Midland County, Michigan; thence southeasterly 488 feet more or less along the East Line of Collins Street to the point of beginning; thence continuing along said East Line southeasterly 273 feet more or less to the intersection of the South Line of the Civic Arena Building extended; thence easterly along the South Line of the Civic Arena Building 288 feet more or less to the intersection of the East Line of the Civic Arena Building extended; thence northerly 307 feet more or less along said East Line of the Civic Arena Building; thence easterly 3 feet; thence northerly 203 feet; thence westerly 266 feet; thence southerly 120 feet; thence westerly 187 feet; thence southerly 33 feet; thence westerly 27 feet; thence southerly 164 feet more or less to the East Line for Collins Street and the point of beginning, subject to easements, restrictions, reservations, rights of way, leases and agreements of record, if any.

For questions or further information, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 989-837-6930.

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