Rogers City Group remains interested in developing Lakeview residential lots

A spokesman for Rogers City Group Inc., the local firm interested in developing the Lakeview residential lots within the Renaissance Zone, says it hasn?t backed out and remains interested in working out a deal with the Community Development Authority. Bob Parsons is hoping a deal is completed in the next couple of weeks, but the infrastructure improvements, which could be delayed if the city isn?t able to come up with the financing through the issuing of bonds in the next month or more, are an incentive for his group. He would like to see the city finance the infrastructure improvements, because in order to have houses to sell, ?we have to have that there.?

?We would have a very good idea within two weeks as to how soon we can actually take it over,? Parsons said of the lots.

THE CITY HAS published its intent to issue bonds to finance $300,000 in infrastructure improvements, with half of it being used for paving, curb and gutter, as well as water and sewer, in the Lakeview development. ?The bonding would actually be put on to a special assessment against the property,? said Parsons. ?The cost of the infrastructure will be covered by the Rogers City Group, so it wouldn?t come out of the taxpayers? money, which I think will help a lot.?

Parsons referred to concerns expressed by citizens at Monday?s Rogers City Council meeting. They say if the project fails, the pieces will have to be picked up by the taxpayers of Rogers City. Parsons says he is trying to secure capital from outside the immediate area.

?In fact, we are working with a professional from Alpena,? he said. ?We?ll be working with him for the next two weeks.? Parsons? group would like to construct three houses to showcase how they would look by fall.

?A LOT OF THESE so-called planned unit developments have relatively small lots, so for that reason, the planning has to be fairly precise as to what you can do with them,? said Parsons. ?We have checked a couple of other areas where they?ve done this and apparently people like them,? he explained. ?You have a cross between the condominium doing a lot of the basic services (plowing and lawn cutting), which takes

a load off their (home owners?) mind, but you have your own individual house. That is a unique development, I think.? The many outdoor activities, as well as tax incentives for living in the Renaissance Zone, are more factors that make the development attractive, Parson said. One thing that isn?t talked about very much, Parsons noted, is the closeness of northern Michigan?s elite ski resorts.

?YOU COULD leave your house on Saturday morning, go skiing Saturday, come home or stay over Sunday and come back Sunday night and go back to work Monday morning,? Parson said. ?We don?t think of that, but that is a plus.?

?It?s less of a gamble for a private developer than it would be for the city,? said Parsons. ?It?s better for one developer to actually control that whole project.? The CDA is expected to discuss the matter further at its meeting Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. in council chambers.

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