Saugatuck duneland sale for $25 million possible
Wed, Dec 10, 2008 
to del.icio.us
BY STEVE RALPH
Holland Sentinel Writer
SAUGATUCK — If The Nature Conservancy can come up with $25 million in six weeks, more than a hundred acres of Saugatuck duneland could be preserved.
Helen Taylor, Michigan director of The Nature Conservancy, announced Tuesday that an exploratory group discussing the possible acquisition of the 171-acre parcel of property adjacent to Saugatuck's Oval Beach concluded its work on Nov. 6.
Since then, conservancy and landowner representatives have been discussing terms and conditions of a possible sale, she said.
Taylor said the asking price of $25 million proposed by landowners Singapore Dunes LLC is within the range of the conservancy's recent appraisal of the property.
Singapore Dunes is Oklahoma City millionaire and natural-gas magnate Aubrey McClendon's local land interest, which is represented by attorney and project manager Stephen Neumer. The 412-acre Saugatuck Township parcel links Oval Beach to Saugatuck Dunes State Park, and straddles the mouth of the Kalamazoo River. The portion south of the river — the South McClendon Property — has been proposed for sale to the city of Saugatuck.
The exploratory group looking at sale options includes representatives from the city, township, Singapore Dunes, the conservancy and other conservation groups.
Taylor said the city would be the ultimate owner of the property, and the conservancy would act as mediator in the deal.
"I'm very excited for the city of Saugatuck and the greater community," Neumer said. "For that whole beach to be under one community ownership would be a tremendous benefit to the community."
Taylor said the group has until the end of January to enter into a binding agreement.
"The one thing we have now is, we have a clear shot for acquiring the land — that in and of itself is a landmark," she said.
Taylor said the conservancy will approach private and public funding sources — especially those that had committed support to a failed purchase attempt several years ago, including the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund and the Land Conservancy of West Michigan.
"Our hope is that we could re-approach them," she said. "... This land is important to the people of the Saugatuck area, the state of Michigan and those who visit our state seeking the unparalleled beauty of Lake Michigan."
