The Barry County Commission last week discussed a request from the Barry County Transit for a $ 1 to $1.3 million improvement to the facility first brought to them in May, but delayed to wait for an appraisal of the value of the jail and transit property, the first step in planning for a new jail.

 

John A. Meyers appraised the property at 1212 West State Street and said the market value of the Barry County Transit on its 1.9 acres, is $700,000 and the nine acres the Barry County Jail sits on is valued at $1,150,000 assuming the jail is gone and the land vacant.

Meyers’ recommendation was that the highest and best use for the site was to keep the transit and bring commercial development to the rest of the property.

 

The transit decision was again delayed last week when Commissioner Ben Geiger asked the panel to consider hiring a master planner to determine if there were better options for the property after some questions were raised by Hastings officials at a meeting updating them on the process.

Meyers attended Tuesday’s meeting and repeated his recommendation after a brief review of his assessment.

 

After discussion, Geiger summed up. “The most profitable use is with the transit building…it will be even more valuable with the additions… if there is a better use down the road and someone wants to buy the whole parcel, this board would be open to it.”

The transit improvements are on next week’s regular board meeting agenda for a decision.

 

Hastings official's comments:

David Hatfield, chair of the city planning commission, with a background in commercial banking, said it would be difficult to find comparables for the property which brings an “air of uncertainty” in the figures. The appraisal would be extraordinarily difficult, and Meyers did an excellent job, he said. The city wants to participate in discussions and he urged commissioners to, “take the time needed to fully explore all the opportunities.”

 

Mayor David Tossava said he supported the city’s land use plans, and wanted commissioners to know “the city is not throwing up roadblocks…we will work with you however we can.”

 

The State Street corridor has undergone big changes in the last 55 to 60 years, said Dan King, director of the city’s Community Development Department. “We need to look ahead 55 or 60 years…we don’t know what will happen, but we need to step back, take some time when making these decisions.”  He also noted the good working partnership between the city and county.

 

Commissioner’s comments:

Jon Smelker said if they razed everything in the parcel, they still wouldn’t make enough money to replace the transit. Later, he thanked the Hastings officials for taking an interest and attending the meeting.

 

Howard “Hoot” Gibson: “I echo what Jon said.”

 

David Jackson said it would be very expensive to move the transit and he would like to see a cost-effective solution to move the building.

 

Vivian Conner wondered about the amount of time spent looking for alternate sites. “I can’t see tearing it down and building another.”

 

Dan Parker appreciated the city’s view; he served on Middleville planning and zoning for many years. “If it’s important to the city, they can make an offer.  Any other option is not practical…the transit is forward looking; they have a plan…the transit is important to the people of Barry County and will be in the future…I think we should go ahead…” If Meijer came in and wanted it all for commercial use, they would get it, he added.

 

Geiger: “We’re considering an investment in the transit property…”you’re saying the most appropriate use is having this building…”

“Purely economic, yes… that’s all I can say,” Meyers said.

 

Hastings Township Supervisor Jim Brown advised the commission to…“look at it from 10,000 feet up. Money is not always the value of what you get.”