Ann Arbor's Greenbelt is closing its loop around the city, with three new land acquisition deals closed out in 2010. The Greenbelt, funded by a 30-year, .5-mill tax levy approved by city voters in 2003, is a commitment made by the city of Ann Arbor to purchase and preserve open space, agricultural land, and other natural habitats adjacent to the city. To date, the Greenbelt has helped to protect 2,802 acres, says Ginny Trocchio, program manager for Ann Arbor's Greenbelt. "One of our priorities, through our strategic plan, is to put together these 1,000-acre blocks, at [minimum], of protected farmland and open space. We've been able to do that so far in Ann Arbor Township and Webster Township," Trocchio summarizes.The three new purchases added 273 acres to the Greenbelt's holdings, according to Trocchio. In Webster Twp, the 143-acre Whitney plot was purchased for $1,047,222. This purchase was subsidized with a federal grant from the USDA Farm and Ranch Lands Protection program for $408,416 and a partnership with Webster Twp, which contributed an additional $50,000.Another plot in Webster Twp, 34 acres in size and appraised at $174,000, was purchased for $139,200. The remaining $34,800 in value was accounted for by a landowner donation.And in Northfield Twp, just under 96 acres was purchased from Al and Sue Honke for $683,936. The landowners donated $9,100. Another USDA farm and ranch grant for $266,735 was applied, and the city covered the rest.In the meantime, city officials are completing applications due in February for additional grants under the USDA Farm and Ranch Lands Protection program. The city has also received federal grants to acquire two more tracts of land, one in Northfield Twp and one in Salem Twp. Those deals are in progress, Trocchio says. Source: Ginny Trocchio, program manager for Ann Arbor's GreenbeltWriter: Tanya Muzumdar
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