Like every community in the United States, Oxford Township is hoping some of the more than $800 billion from the economic stimulus bill being debated in Washington D.C. will find its way here.
Scanning through the township’s $9.35 million wish list ? e-mailed to U.S. senators Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow along with Congressman Mike Rogers back in late December ? there’s the usual infrastructure-related items like water mains, safety paths and roads.
However, one item immediately jumps out ? a request for $3 million so the parks and recreation department can purchase an existing golf course.
‘That wasn’t any direction from the (parks and rec.) commission,? said Parks and Rec. Director Ron Davis. ‘That was just me making a suggestion.?
Davis admitted he’s got his eye on Oxford Hills Golf and Country Club should owner Bob Hubbard ever decide, at some point in the future, to sell the 6,522-yard course along E. Drahner Rd.
‘I’ve always told Bob if it ever becomes available, we’d like to look at doing something, so it doesn’t turn into another housing development,? he said. ‘I think any time you can pick up additional open space, it’s a good thing.?
Davis stressed that Hubbard’s not given him any indication at all that he wishes to sell the property.
‘It was just a wish list,? he said.
Hubbard was out of town and could not be reached for comment.
Davis envisions turning the privately-owned public course into a municipal course overseen by his department and operated by the revenues it generated.
‘There are municipalities out there that do own them and operate them,? he said. ‘They seem to be doing well.?
‘It would be nice to see it remain as a golf course, whether we owned it or not, as opposed to houses. It’s kind of an icon in Oxford.?
During the winter months, Davis said the course could be turned into a park that offered cross country skiing, sledding and ice fishing on Bailey Lake.
‘We’ve taken 24 pike out of there this year so far,? he said. ‘Biggest one was 32 (inches).?
The clubhouse could host banquets and possibly be utilized as part of a community center, according to Davis.
Davis admitted ‘the only downside? of parks and rec. buying the course would be the loss of tax base for the local governments and school district.
In 2008, Oxford Hills paid a total of $44,878 in real property taxes and $4,897 in personal property taxes.
But he said that revenue loss could be offset by how Oxford could ‘benefit in the long run as far as people coming into the community and spending money.?
Davis noted that obviously it would take more than $3 million to purchase Oxford Hills, so if everything ever came together, he’d have to apply for a grant from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to make up the difference.
Other projects on the township’s wish list for President Barack Obama include $2.5 million for four new water mains; $1.05 million for safety paths along E. and W. Drahner Rd, M-24, Grampian and Ray Road; and $2.8 million to pave Newman Road and part of Ray Road.
‘We talked with our township engineer on the different projects that were shovel-ready,? said township Treasurer Joe Ferrari.’Most of the projects can be ready to go within 60 to 90 days, depending on the project.?
All the engineering work for the water mains, the W. Drahner Rd. safety path and paving of Ray Road was previously completed, but the township lacked the necessary funds to do these projects on its own.