St. James Township Takes Ownership of Beaver Island Marina

St. James Township in Beaver Island, Michigan, is now the owner of the Beaver Island Marina Property, thanks to a gift from the JA Woollam Foundation. The Anderson Family, former owners of the marina, agreed to sell the property to the JA Woollam Foundation, which would in turn, donate the marina to the township. The acquisition of the property for transfer to the township has been part of the public discourse for well over a year and was completed on October 14. The complex transaction included four entities: JAW Foundation, Anderson Family, St James Township and Little Traverse Conservancy.

The Beaver Island Marina, which will now be run as part of the township’s existing municipal dock has approximately 50 slips, a boat launch ramp, gasoline and diesel fuel sales, a bath house, and a small shop. The multi-faceted business covers six lots on the northern side of the harbor. The township will be the sole operator of the marina and expects to be open for business for the 2020 boating season. The conservation easement, which is part of the gifting agreement, allows St. James Township to operate the marina, provide for boat fuel sales, opens up land for public access to greenspace and boat launch, including an area for a kayak launch, creates greenspace on both sides of the road and adds additional boat trailer parking and limits car parking on the harbor side of road to enhance the view.

The township has transition plans with Adam Anderson and with JAW Foundation to complete the many steps necessary to move the project forward.