The Monroe Evening News Editorial, October 5 2008
Recently the Monroe County Board of Commissioners approved a loan guarantee of up to $421,000 to purchase 129 acres of land owned by the IHM sisters to create a nature reserve and park. That was an excellent move.
A nonprofit group called the Friends of the Academy Preserve is leading the acquisition effort. The goal is to purchase much of the land behind the IHM Motherhouse, Sisters Island, and some shoreline along the river on W. Elm Ave., with the county eventually taking ownership.
The drive already has gotten a great deal of community support, including from the City of Monroe, Frenchtown Township and the Monroe County Community Foundation. The Friends have raised $350,000 in private donations, including a $200,000 pledge from the DTE Foundation.
So, say some dissenters, why the large pledge from the county? It's a fair question. After all, county government is looking at some huge budgetary challenges for years to come, due to expected flat or falling tax revenues.
But, first, let's note that the resolution approved by the county board is not an outright loan. It's a loan guarantee, a sort of back-up in case the private fund-raising drive falls short.
Commissioners have every reason to hope that a county loan won't be necessary. Indeed, the county's pledge of its full faith and credit should encourage private individuals and businesses to contribute toward the drive and ensure its success.
Let's further note that the Friends hope to win a $2.2 million grant from the state Natural Resources Trust. That would be a huge boost. The Friends have two years to raise a total of $730,000 to have a shot at that grant.
Finally, consider the benefits. Creation of the Academy Preserve would mean a sort of "Central Park" in the middle of Monroe -- a publicly owned land preserve for walking trails, fishing sites, an environmental education center and more. The preserve would make use of sustainable land-management practices and would be open to all residents.
Surely this would be a big boon to Monroe's quality of life. And such an amenity might even help attract new employers and new jobs to the area, for untold economic benefit.
Consider, also, that the IHM sisters had originally talked, a couple of years back, of selling the land to developers to pay for the growing health care and pension needs of older members. The sisters had been conferring with one developer about creating a sustainable community with 500 homes, retail shops, parks and walkways. That plan was tabled, however, in the wake of strong opposition by neighbors.
To be sure, even if the Academy Preserve becomes a reality without the county's having to put up a loan, the county will be responsible for maintenance and upkeep. That would be an expense coming out of the parks budget, although the Friends have created an endowment for long-term maintenance and development. County board Chairman Bill Sisk says $50,000 already has been donated for that purpose.
The dream of a huge green space for all to enjoy, the prospect of a $2.2 million gift from the state, a private fund-raising effort that is going well: It's not hard to see why the county board unanimously approved the loan guarantee.
The Academy Preserve is well worth the community's support, and with the county board's pledge the dream has been pushed closer to reality.