Appraisal Costs Delay Waterfront Development Dreams in New Baltimore

Visitors to downtown New Baltimore will find public boat docks, kayak rentals and, if plans pan out, street scape improvements this summer.

But, Mayor Larry Smith still hopes to , to those amenities in the near future.

"I'd love to see that," Smith reiterated of his vision for the downtown. "We've addressed some real estate companies for opinions on what the property is worth down there."

The envisioned property contains the former police station, a city-owned house next door and vacant lots behind those parcels, he said.

The hold up? "To get a commercial appraisal is pretty expensive."

The city cost would be about $4,000, Smith said, adding the city has not decided to spend that amount at this time.

Last summer, Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel spoke in New Baltimore of his hopes for capitalizing Lake St. Clair for recreation and tourism. Waterfront campgrounds and more beach fronts were among the ideas Hackel mentioned.

Downtown projects under way

Meanwhile, more concrete plans are in the works for a kayak rental company to come to Burke Beach. And, public boat docks are under construction nearby.

Another endeavor--the city street scape project--would ideally take place in upcoming months for completion by summer, Smith said.

However, community officials are looking at ways to scale back project expenses because the lowest bids for the work came in approximately $200,000 over budget. A Michigan Department of Transportation grant worth $340,277 along with $145,833, is to pay for the project that calls for street lights, trees, decorative benches, bike racks and more, according to the city.