In Brief: Bay-Rama Donates Parkland, Marina Purchase to be Explored and More

Baseball diamonds planned

Community group Bay-Rama has donated parkland to New Baltimore.

The gift of Festival Park off St. Clair Drive near County Line Road allows the city to seek a grant to construct two baseball diamonds with fences, backstops and dugouts.

The city will pursue a $45,000 Michigan Department of Natural Resources grant for the project that costs a total of about $96,285, with Bay-Rama pitching in about $32,000 of ground leveling and seeding work and the city paying nearly $19,285.

The volunteer group completed one-third, or eight acres, of the park with two soccer fields on it in 2009. Ideally, the baseball fields will be complete in 2013.

Marina purchase to be explored

City Council authorized Mayor Larry Smith last week to look into purchasing opportunities for on Taylor Street in the city.

Some say the property would be ideal for the city to own because of its waterfront location. The mayor is to have staff explore any grant opportunities for the purchase, according to city officials.

Building official to inspect historic property foundation

In attempt to see whether a historic building at Main and Maria streets is safe for occupation, City Council asked Building Official Greg Nikkel to inspect its foundation, according to the city.

The former Christie-Olszewski Funeral Home has been left vacant when the business defaulted on county taxes. The city owns the early 1900s building and is exploring whether it's structurally sound because.

A structural engineer may inspect the building after Nikkel's review.

Special assessment district hearing delayed

Due to undeliverable letters for residents in the Schmid Haven subdivision, the public hearing for a special assessment district has been postponed. Some of the residents are snowbirds who will likely be getting their mail here in spring.

The hearing, which was set for March 12, will be delayed until at least the second city council meeting in May or after. The public is to discuss the creation of a special assessment district to disburse funds for a .