Title
Resolution to Approve Purchase of Park Land on Fuller Road at Furstenberg Nature Area and Appropriate $108,500.00 (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
This resolution approves the purchase of fee title to I -09-27-425-001, a 0.26-acre property on Fuller Rd. adjacent to Furstenberg Nature Area, for parks purposes.
Furstenberg Nature Area is one of the City of Ann Arbor's ecological gems. The park hosts woodlands, prairie, a variety of wetlands, and, most famously, a restored oak savanna, stretching across the Huron River for over a mile. Paved, gravel, and boardwalk trails loop throughout. Furstenberg is a haven for rare and important common flora and fauna, including the DeKay's brownsnake, red-bellied snake, 100 species of butterflies and moths, map turtles, musk turtles, snapping turtles, at least 5 frog species, nearly 200 bird species including waterfowl, and a couple of state listed plants.
Nestled in the eastern depths of Furstenberg Nature Area lies a privately-owned tax parcel. The quarter-acre piece of land has its own access from Fuller Rd, but is otherwise surrounded by Furstenberg Nature Area. It has been used for the last 50 years as a private garden and outdoor recreation space, seeing little disturbance for the last decade, making it simple to assimilate into the existing nature area. The riverfront historically came up very close to this property, and the river continues to change. Acquiring this missing piece will protect the riverfront's natural area and public access, prevent future possible boundary disputes, maintain the integrity of Furstenberg Nature Area in perpetuity, and allow for easier management and restoration of that section of the Nature Area.
An appraisal ordered by the City and completed for the property on January 17, 2025 determined the fair market value to be $91,000.00. This appraisal determined the highest and best use of the parcel to be recreation (not residential). In subsequent negotiations with staff, the property...
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