Keweenaw Report Your Source for Local News and Sports
Hancock will become the new owner of the Houghton County Arena.
After a public hearing last night, city council members approved the contract to purchase the arena from Houghton County for one dollar.
At the hearing, Houghton County Commissioner Glenn Anderson spoke in favor of the transaction. Anderson is a Hancock resident, and former Hancock city manager. He noted that the arena brings in around $170,000 in revenue each year.
The purchase agreement includes the existing lease that allows the Michigan State University Extension Service to occupy its offices at no charge until January 1, 2033. The city will cover the cost of utilities, telephone service and internet service.
It also includes a right of first refusal for the county to buy the arena back for one dollar should the city decide to sell it, along with the right to reclaim the arena if the city stops using it for public events and an ice rink for more than seven consecutive months.
Barring any surprises in the title search, closing will take place within 45 days after the contract is signed.
Todd Gast was introduced as Hancock’s new Downtown Development Authority Coordinator at last night’s council meeting. Gast was hired last week to fill the position left vacant by the death of Deb Mann last year. He is Marketing and Outreach Manager at the Keweenaw Co-op, and runs his own graphics consulting company.
Council members approved a contract with OHM Advisors to design the city’s new road salt storage shed. The existing shed is too small to hold the full supply needed for the winter, and is in poor condition. The supply stored there is shared with the Michigan Department of Transportation, which will cover 80 percent of the cost of the new building.
