“I came into the meeting as something about a “survey” with specific dates was being shown on the screen. Please provide more information regarding that survey and dates along with from where the survey can be obtained.”

The survey referenced in the presentation was a property survey completed by Spicer Group in May of 2021.

The Spicer Group survey can be viewed/printed from this LINK

During the meeting Shawn Middleton of the Spicer Group also offered that a CAD format survey can be made available by request. Requests can be sent to Howard Vaas, MAPS Business Manager at hvaas@manistee.org. 

The MAPS Vision Plan (bond project) includes the removal of the Jefferson building and restoration of the land to level and open green space. The property will be available for development once the building removal, slated for spring of 2025, is complete. Having collected feedback through community forums and neighborhood committee meetings from 2018-2021, MAPS has identified a strong desire to maintain the character of the neighborhood. Artifacts from these meetings can be found at www.chipslead.org/vision-for-our-future/. The following ideas were generated through community feedback:

• Practice fields
• Tennis and/or pickleball courts
• Park space
• Walking paths
• Learning garden
• Single-family housing
• Mixed-use potential

In interest of maintaining the character of the existing single family home environment with similar density of lot sizes, members of a neighborhood committee identified the following for the Jefferson property as proposed restrictions in excess of the R-2 zoning requirements:

• 10,000 sq. ft. lot size
• 80 ft. lot width
• 1,200 sq. ft. single family home size

Although these project elements are consistent with the aspirations of community participants, the purchaser is not required to incorporate all elements into a proposed project.

Located on the northwest shore of beautiful Lake Michigan, Manistee, offers the privilege of calling a place home, that others only have the opportunity to visit on vacation. This charming coastal community, located 100 miles north of Grand Rapids and 60 miles south of Traverse City, features modern lifestyle amenities, stunning natural landscape, and diverse 4-season recreational attractions that rival any community found on the Lake Michigan shoreline.

Today’s technology supports expansive options for working and living in locations that offer enhancements far beyond the boundaries of a busy urban city center. The City of Manistee, with a year-round population of approximately 6,200 residents, provides a stable environment for supporting rewarding professional opportunities in a family-friendly, accessible community. 

MANISTEE COUNTY STATS

• Square Miles: 1,281
• Population: 24,539
• Workforce: 9,682
• Household Income: $51,658
• Households: 9,700
• Average Range of Property Taxes: $800-$1,499
• Median Home Value: $130,900
  • 84% Owners
  • 16% Renters

COMMUNITY FEATURES/AMENITIES

• State recognized public and private K-12 schools offering a diverse range of extracurricular options
• State-accredited West Shore Community College
• Deep-water port capable of handling large freighters
• Airport 3 miles from downtown Manistee
• 26 miles of sandy Lake Michigan shoreline
• 276 miles of rivers and streams perfect for paddling and fishing
• World-class Lake Michigan fishing from three shoreline harbors
• World-class golf
• Local events and activities to capture the interest of people of all ages
• Historic downtown district featuring boutique retail, local cuisine, and a world class, state of the art movie theatre
• 1000’s of acres of public parks and nature preserves
• 100+ miles of snowshoeing & cross-country ski trails
• 300+ miles of connected multi-county snowmobiling trails

• Sealed proposals must be received for the Property at the District’s Central Office on or before Monday, May 1, 2023 5:00 pm at 550 Maple Street, Manistee, Michigan 49660. Late submissions will not be accepted.
• A certified or cashier’s check in the amount of Ten Thousand 00/100 Dollars ($10,000.00) shall accompany any proposal and shall be forfeited as liquidated damages if said proposal is accepted and the purchaser fails to enter into the Purchase Agreement. The deposit amount will be credited to the purchase price at closing of the sale of the property to the successful proposal. The deposit amount will be returned to all unsuccessful purchasers within five (5) days from the date that the district has accepted a proposal for the property.
• An inspection of the property, excluding the building, will take place on Monday, February 13, 2023, from 4:00 -5:00 pm with sit down discussion following from 5:00-6:00 pm.
• The minimum proposal requirement for the property is Four Hundred Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($400,000.00).
• The Board of Education expressly reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to accept the proposal that the Board of Education, at its sole discretion, determines best serves the interests of the district.
• Developers must supply the following information (unless not applicable), to be used in determining which proposal best serves the interests of the district:
• Entity’s name, type, and LARA ID number
• Entity’s contact information, including registered office mailing address
• Entity’s incorporation information and other relevant filings or documentation
• The names, positions, and contact information for members of the entity’s governing board
• Entity’s financial statements, such as Form 990s and Audited Financial Statements
• Entity’s mission statement, business model, and current programs/projects
• Statement of entity’s connection to Manistee and/or the surrounding areas, including prior and current involvements or projects in the community
• Entity’s intended development plan for the property with tentative site plans
• A detailed business plan for the property, including the intended market, financial projections, management team, marketing plans and goals, and potential gaps or obstacles
• Proposed implementation schedule from acquisition to project completion
• Any proposed property divisions
• Anticipated project budget
• Verification from sources of funding, including any loans, partnerships, sponsorships, grants, incentives, or other sources
• Any parties and/or entities who will support or contribute to the development, construction, or improvement of the property
• Submission of a proposal in response to this RFP is certification that the purchaser is not currently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, and declared ineligible or voluntarily excluded from participation in this transaction by any State or Federal departments or agency. Submission is also an agreement that MAPS will be notified of any changes in this status.

Proposals will be evaluated on a combination of the following factors:

Project viability, including:

• • Price offered for the property
  • Benefits of the project to the greater community
  • Consistency of plan with City’s Master Plan priorities
  • Project’s alignment with zoning requirements and probability of variance approvals where required
  • Financing sources and lender commitment
  • Project implementation schedule
  • Adequacy of available financing and project incentives
  • Prior experience and success with similar projects

The Board of Education expressly reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to accept the proposal that the Board of Education, at its sole discretion, determines best serves the interests of the district.

MAPS and the selected developer will execute a separate Purchase Agreement. Significant alterations to the original proposal or noncompliance with the agreement or conditions of any funding sources may invalidate approval of the project.

• The Property will be sold “as is” once the building has been removed from the site and the Purchaser shall indemnify, release and hold harmless the district from any liability with regard to the Property, including environmental contamination.
• The Purchaser shall sign the Purchase Agreement within three (3) days from the date that the Purchaser is notified of the Purchaser’s successful proposal.
• If the Purchaser plans to use the Property for purposes other than those currently permitted in the Property’s zoning district, the Purchaser shall have ninety (90) days from the time the proposal is accepted to obtain all relevant permits from the City, including without limitation, a special land use permit or approved rezoning petition.
• The Purchaser shall be responsible for all costs incurred at the closing.