BERRIEN COUNTY SELLS FORECLOSED LAND FROM FAILED DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

By DEBRA HAIGHT
BCR Correspondent
THREE OAKS – The site of a failed residential development off of U.S. 12 in Three Oaks has again been put on sale by Berrien County. The county gained ownership of the property after it foreclosed on the land developer for unpaid taxes.
The 36-acre site is located at 6974 U.S. 12 in the village of Three Oaks and is listed for sale on Zillow at a price of $600,000. Brian Savage of Keller Williams Realty has the listing.
Berrien County Administrator Brian Dissette said that he knows of at least two parties interested in buying the property. Any proposed sale will come back to the Berrien County Board of Commissioners for final approval.
He said the property is an opportunity for a variety of parties including the village of Three Oaks to work with the county to come to an agreement to buy the land. The listing is scheduled to be live for a 30-day period that began Feb. 13.
The Zillow listing notes that the property is an investment opportunity, citing its proximity to Lake Michigan and its location in Three Oaks.
“Attention Investors! This 36-acre parcel is now available. Come discover Southwest Michigan’s best kept secret… The Village of Three Oaks! Located within the Village limits, this parcel puts your future residents in the heart of everything. Farmers markets, specialty shops, diverse dining, and beautiful parks,” the listing further states.
The property ended up in the county’s hand after the proposed development never came to fruition and the land went into foreclosure due to unpaid taxes as well as an unpaid 2019 drainage district assessment. The property is part of the Schwark Drain Drainage District. The county board approved the purchase of the property last October for $551,000.
Last week’s Berrien County Board of Commissioners meeting featured action on a number of other items as well. Commissioners approved applying for state funding for the Berrien Bus Public Transportation Service and a Michigan State Police grant for a hazardous materials emergency preparedness grant.
The county board also approved entering into a memorandum of understanding between Corewell Health and the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office for K-9 explosive detection services. The memorandum of understanding provides for a mutual aid agreement allowing the county to use the hospital’s resources.
The county board accepted a $96,000 grant for emergency management costs associated with the start up of the Palisades Nuclear Generation Station in Van Buren County. The grant from Holtec Decommissioning International, LLC, the Palisades owner, will help the two parties share the costs of meeting federal nuclear regulations.