Ann Arbor's Greenbelt is aiming to hit another milestone by the end of this year – 2,000 acres.
The Greenbelt program has a number of deals that are at a various stages of completion. Currently there are 1,321 acres of farm land, woods and wetlands that are protected. Another 704 acres are in the works to come under the Greenbelt's umbrella in 2009.
"If not by the end of the year then by next spring," says Ginny Trocchio, a spokeswoman for the Ann Arbor's Greenbelt program.
Four properties have been approved by the Ann Arbor City Council and are expected to be closed either this fall or before the end of the year. Those deals include Webster United Church of Christ ($613,000 for 94 acres), Nixon Farm in Webster Township (265 acres for $2 million), Braun Farm in Ann Arbor Township (286 acres for $4 million) and the adjacent 51-acre Gould property. When it's all said and done, more than 1,000 acres in Webster Township will be protected.
Also in the works is the Fredrick Farm in Lodi Township. The purchase of 102-acre parcel hasn't been approved by the Ann Arbor City Council because the effort to obtain a federal grant didn't pan out. The Greenbelt is now looking for other sources of revenue, like Legacy Conservation.
Ann Arbor's Greenbelt Program provides funding to preserve and protect open space, natural habitats and farms in the Ann Arbor area by purchasing development rights. The city acquires these rights from willing sellers who apply to participate in the program. Ann Arbor voters approved a 0.5-mill millage over 30 years to establish the Greenbelt Program in 2003. Since then the program has acquired the rights to hundreds of acres or rural land.
Source: Ginny Trocchio, a spokeswoman for the Ann Arbor Greenbelt
Writer: Jon Zemke
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