A proposed boardwalk in the Village of Empire’s recreation and continuous improvement plan (CIP) has been tabled.
The Village Council split a 3-3 vote at the end of January to table the topic of whether or not to continue discussions of a possible boardwalk or increase the scope to include other projects as well.
“We will address it later and pass it one way or another (not at all),” Empire President Dan Davis said.
The discussion was part of Empire’s five-year recreation plan, which includes upgrades to all the parks.
Initially, the boardwalk was discussed for expansion from Johnson Park to South Bar Lake and Empire Beach. However, it was downsized to just a boardwalk around a part of South Bar Lake.
The plan required permission from the Lions Club, which they declined last year. Private resident Jim Bagaloff also refused permission, telling the board in January that his property was not for sale.
Opposition included stances of protecting wetlands and better use of funds elsewhere in the village. Board members who want it are addressing voters’ voices in the past while trying to preserve the land from further development that’s more than a boardwalk.
“There’s more ways we could spend the money,” Empire trustee Linda Chase said.
Empire resident Steve Lewis organized a petition with over 100 people against a boardwalk project.
In other news, Tuesday’s presentation regarding the renovation of the Empire Schoolhouse was held at the library and township hall.
Over 60 people attended the library to hear from property owner Joe Van Esly and Revitalize LLC.
“(Van Esly) got a great response,” Chase said.
Van Esly has owned the building since 2005 and plans to restore it historically with a modern twist to lease space to businesses and tenants
