Enlarged Site Eyed For Park, School

A resolution expressing interest in purchasing an additional two acres of the McDonald property on Stone School Rd. was passed by the City Council last night.
The council and the Ann Arbor Board of Education had originally agreed to a joint purchase of 10 acres of the property, which lies north of the I-94 Expressway, as a combined park-school site.
The council indicated last night it would not be interested in buying the additional land if the school board did not agree to at least a partial payment of any future improvement charges against the property.
Purchase of the 10 acre site would not subject the school board to improvement charges because the land would not abut any adjacent unimproved streets. Purchase of the additional two acres, however, would place the property on two proposed streets in the area.
If the additional two acres is not purchased, the improvement charges would be levied against property owners.
The council also asked that the school board state whether or not it intends to participate in the cost of the additional land. At present the board is paying for six acres of land and the city for four acres.
City Administrator Guy C. Larcom Jr. said the school board has not committed itself one way or another. Cost of the property is $3,600 per acre.
Mayor Cecil O. Creal said the school board had issued a policy statement of not paying special assessments. Second Ward Councilman William E. Bandemer said this was a "unilateral decision" which the council has not approved.
"We can save them any cost at all by not providing services," Bandemer said.
The council also discussed at length whether it was a good policy to have park land abutted by streets on several sides, some saying it was good from the point of access while others said it created a danger by having the land near traffic movements.
Larcom said the city has no strong feelings one way or the other on this question. In a related matter last night, the council approved the hiring of a private appraiser to set a value on the Lakewood Woods, a 10-acre parcel being considered for joint purchase by the city and school board. Cost of the appraisal, about $200, will be shared jointly by the city and school board.