Organizers of the Cherry Beach Project are hoping the second time will be the charm. After last year’s failed effort to raise enough money to qualify for a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant to buy four acres of beachfront property in Chikaming Township, the project is giving it another go. Chikaming Township Supervisor David Bunte tells WSJM News the land directly next to the public Cherry Beach is up for grabs.
“It would be a major expansion,” Bunte said. “It’s a beachfront, lakefront property in addition to what we currently have with the Cherry Beach property.”
Bunte says the Cherry Beach Project didn’t check enough boxes last year for the state grant, and so this time they’re looking to raise more.
“Knowing that we were right at the cutoff line last year when it came to the acquisition grant portion for the trust fund, we feel with these additional changes, and with additional funds raised, that we should be positioned pretty positively.”
Bunte says the current owner of the four acres has pledged $150,000 to help the project buy his property, and he’s also worked to reduce its estimated value. It currently is rated as being worth about $4.1 million. Those who pledged last year are being asked to do so again. You can find out more at ChikamingTownship.org.
