[Southsider2k12]

For the record, when the matter came in front of the City Council, Council members Richard Murphy, Patricia Boy, Phil Jankowski and Angie Nelson supported the measure to purchase it, with President Marc Espar, Vice President Ron Meer, along with members Bob McKee and Joseph Doyle voting against it.

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2012/0...d5955139949.txt

Portion of Moon Valley put up for auction

A view of Moon Valley. Nearly 60 acres will be auctioned Feb. 8. N-D file photo
By Tim Moran
Staff Writer
Published: Wednesday, January 11, 2012 5:07 PM CST
MICHIGAN CITY — A significant portion of Moon Valley will be up for auction Feb. 8 in the Michigan City Courthouse lobby.

Following a La Porte Superior Court 2 ruling in favor of La Porte Savings Bank against defendant Tom Moss and Beachwalk Limited Partnership, a parcel of nearly 60 acres within the Moon Valley area will be granted to the highest bidder.

An additional three acres may be up for auction at the same time.

A civil deputy within the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office will serve as the auctioneer.

*
The attorney representing La Porte Savings Bank, the plaintiff, will open the bidding. Each offer must be at least $1 more than the previous one until all bidders present decline to increase the bid on the table.

According to Save Moon Valley founder Shawn Kaczmarek, the auction is “a test of the caliber of the greater community of Michiana.

“The greater community includes townships, cities, colleges, greenspace groups and everybody who understands what Moon Valley means to the whole quality of life in Michiana.”

The greenspace leader says Moon Valley is “critically important” as a canvas of test data.

“The test data is everything that is socially and biologically relevant to our quality of life,” he explains.

Referring to a Michigan City Common Council vote last May not to purchase the entire Moon Valley preserve, Kaczmarek says this is “a second chance” for Michigan City to preserve the area.

“This is a test for the new administration,” he said. “What the council and mayor do in this crisis says all about what this town is.”

Moon Valley is an area of about 200 acres that exists in Michigan City and Long Beach. The 60 or so acres that will be auctioned off is owned by local developer Tom Moss, who also holds title to an additional three parcels that incorporate 20 acres of the nature area.

The Save the Dunes Council previously had planned to incorporate 120 acres of Moon Valley into a nature preserve, which would prevent its development. The 60 acres being auctioned off next month is centrally located in that plan.

[Southsider2k12]

http://heraldargus.com/articles/2012/01/31...db146252087.txt

As an auction looms, residents discuss Moon Valley's past and future

By Tim Moran
Staff writer
Published: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 5:04 PM CST
To some, Moon Valley is an area that should be kept in its natural state for the benefit of the neighboring towns.

To others, it may be an opportunity to attract additional business and jobs through either marketing its "green" landscape or turning the natural habitat into a housing and business development.

But to many who grew up along its paths in either Michigan City or Long Beach, Moon Valley has become so much more.

Hal Higdon coached cross country and track at Elston High School during the late 1980s after a distinguished career during which he placed fifth in the Boston Marathon one year and won four World Masters Championships breaking several American records in the process.

While coaching the Elston girls team, a team that would win two state championships under his successor, Higdon said he would "often" take his teams into Moon Valley for practice.

"As my son Kevin got older, he too trained over the same trails," the former Elston coach remembers. "He (Kevin) later qualified for the Olympic Trials in the marathon."

But training for marathons and other track-related events isn't Moon Valley's only contribution to recreation in Michigan City.

Higdon and April Fallon, a Long Beach resident who believes the 200-acre Moon Valley preserve area nestled between U.S. 12, Lake Shore Drive, Karwick Road and the Beachwalk community is underused, also say cross country skiing and sledding are fun activities that take place along the trails in the winter.

"It's one of the area's best-kept secrets," said Fallon, while enjoying a hike along the southern paths adjacent to U.S. 12 and the Woodruff and Sons property on a winter Sunday. "We've walked there in all seasons, sledding in the winter, spring is really lovely with the mist of green new life, summer for hikes with a picnic on a fallen log and autumn is spectacular with fall colors.

"(It's) a pretty place to observe nature and hike a new trail."

A place to explore

Dan Ayars, a member of the Save Moon Valley Group, says he grew up "playing and exploring" Moon Valley.

"What a gift it was to have here," he said. "Though no longer a resident, my family visits Michigan City every year and my kids are now blessed with great memories of Moon Valley."

Kathleen Zmuda and her family have been adjacent residents to Moon Valley for more than four decades, spending countless time "hiking, running, skiing and tobogganing" through the area.

"We even had a first Communion party with our priest there," she said.

According to some, while a significant portion of the western part of Moon Valley has gone largely untouched, an area closer to Karwick Road has undergone sand mining and other alterations.

"But over the last 20 years, it has recovered remarkably," said David Hoppe, who worked as the assistant director of the Michigan City Public Library from 1980 to 1988.

He says the opportunity to preserve the land is "a great one."

"The growth of new oak forest, marsh, oak savannah, deep oak woods - all elements that are characteristic of Indiana Dunes - all in a microcosm in Moon Valley."

A large portion of the land that also includes a sprinkling of dune grass is set to be auctioned at the Michigan City Courthouse Feb. 8.

According to a legal decision in favor of the La Porte Savings Bank, four nature parcels owned by Beachwalk developer Tom Moss will be auctioned to the highest bidder that morning.

One parcel in itself includes 58 acres, an area that members from the Save the Dunes Conservation Fund had planned to turn into a nature preserve.

"We are still very active and committed that we would like the last remnant dune in Northwest Indiana saved," said Jeannette Neagu, president of Save the Dunes. "Hopefully something will occur so that we can keep this for future generations."

Site is ‘beloved'

Nicole Barker, executive director of the Conservation Fund, says the site is "beloved" by locals.

If the area is auctioned to developers, Barker says it is a "myth" that it would increase property values.

"Study after study shows that converting areas like this to residential use actually costs more than the tax revenue received over the long haul," she said.

Referring to a 2002 study on La Porte County by the American Farmland Trust, she says the city would pay $1.32 for every $1 received in tax revenue in an area converted to residential use just to support that use.

"Preservation of open space is a great financial investment for a community ... You can't have great quality of life without open space," Barker said.

Nancy Moldenhauer, an ENL teacher at Krueger Middle School, says the educational component alone means that Moon Valley is worth saving.

"The areas of Moon Valley near Krueger and Lake Hills Elementary could be used as an outdoor laboratory for students," she said. "Krueger has already begun putting together an environmental curriculum."

With the "heart" of Moon Valley up for auction, only areas owned by Save the Dunes, Cytec Industries and the town of Long Beach are protected at this time.

The pending application

A grant application submitted from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Association that would all but guarantee its preservation has yet to be approved.

Michigan City First Ward Councilman Richard Murphy says he expects environmental groups to "continue to pursue acquisition and grant funding" and his preference is for Michigan City "to be a partner" in the effort.

"Former Mayor (Chuck) Oberlie, myself, other council members and many local residents strongly supported the Moon Valley resolution to support the grant application, but unfortunately we came up one vote short," Murphy said.

Mayor Ron Meer, although placing one of the opposing votes when Murphy's resolution was voted on last May, says it is his preference for Moon Valley to remain a nature preserve.

He says "a lot of the disagreement" comes from whether or not the city should take any responsibility for it, noting that the city has taken responsibility for other areas of greenspace such as the Ruby Woods just north of St. John Road.

"Federal and state money should trickle down," Meer said, noting that it is not part of the norm for a municipality such as Michigan City to take part in an auction process.

"That is a significant undertaking," he said.

Larry Silvestri, a first-year member of the city's Redevelopment Commission, agrees.

"I'd like for it to stay as a nature preserve, but I do not think Michigan City taxpayers should have to pay for it," he said.

But the Feb. 8 auction may not quite seal Moon Valley's fate regardless of who wins the rights to Moss' current parcels.

A number of further approvals will be needed to be met if and when any type of development occurs.

To Ellen Woods, a longtime Long Beach summer resident, the question on developing the area for any purpose should never arise.

Woods says one of her favorite activities is standing atop the hill at Melrose Drive and gazing over to Moon Valley to witness "the best and most beautiful moon-lit evenings."

"I pray with confidence that the auction block attracts a buyer or a group of buyers who will steward this precious parcel for generations to come," she said. "Our family feels it is irreplaceable."

Access points to Moon Valley include an area directly across Karwick Road from The Hacienda restaurant and Stop 16 just south of Lake Shore Drive at the Stockwell Woods entrance, an area currently protected by Save the Dunes.

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2012/0...a0167045843.txt

Future of Moon Valley rests on the auction block

Published: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 5:06 PM CST
The future of an undeveloped property known as Moon Valley hangs in the balance, awaiting the result of a public auction of a large portion of the property at the Michigan City Courthouse on Feb. 8.

La Porte Savings Bank is auctioning four of the parcels owned by Beachwalk developer Tom Moss to the highest bidder on Feb. 8. One of the parcels is 58 acres in an area that the Save the Dunes Conservation fund had hoped to turn into a nature preserve.

Conservationists have been trying to raise money, form partnerships, find grants – anything to find a way to preserve what they describe as “the last remnant dune in Northwest Indiana.”

A grant application from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Association for funds to preserve the area is pending, but not yet approved.

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So Feb. 8 could become a day where the balance of conservation and development converge – with those with the most money deciding Moon Valley’s future.

Will an unknown Good Samaritan come forward to save Moon Valley in its current natural state? Or will this opportunity be lost?

As Ellen Woods, a Long Beach summer resident said, “I pray with confidence that the auction block attracts a buyer or group of buyers who will steward this precious parcel for generations to come.”

We agree with that sentiment and hope that this area’s natural beauty, showcased in Moon Valley, can be protected for future generations.

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2012/0...24888948239.txt

No reason given for canceled Moon Valley auction

By Tim Moran
Staff Writer
Published: Thursday, February 9, 2012 5:07 PM CST
MICHIGAN CITY — Wednesday’s auction at the Michigan City Courthouse of a number of land parcels owned by Beachwalk developer Tom Moss was canceled by La Porte Savings Bank, the plaintiffs in a La Porte Superior Court 2 ruling against Moss and Beachwalk Limited Partnership.

Attorney Matthew Hagenow, representing La Porte Savings Bank, said he would not release the reason for the cancellation, but that it did come at the bank’s discretion.

Prior to the late Tuesday decision to call off the auction, three Moss-owned parcels that make up much of the Moon Valley area were to be sold to the highest bidder Wednesday morning.

Moss, the defendant in the legal proceedings, said Beachwalk continues to work with La Porte Savings Bank, attempting to “navigate through these difficult financial waters.

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“Our goal (Beachwalk’s) is to continue to be a valuable asset in Michigan City and La Porte County,” he added, providing no additional comment on the future of the Moon Valley land.

One parcel that was set to go to sale was a 59-acre tract that includes a majority of land the Save the Dunes Conservation Fund hopes to make into a nature preserve.

With the fate of the land appearing to be in question for even longer, a number of greenspace advocates were present at the courthouse Wednesday morning, having been unaware at that time of the auction’s cancellation.

Save Moon Valley Founder Shawn Kaczmarek compared the recent turn of events in the Moon Valley saga to ‘It’s a Wonderful Life.’

“This is not about economic impact,” he said. “It’s about the Quality of Life impact.”

La Porte County Recorder John Stimley said it is his belief that “our duty as a whole is to protect the beauty of wildlife and land, not only for the present-day minority of people, but for the unborn generations to come.”

Hagenow had no further comment, but said there are no plans to reschedule the auction.

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2012/0...e1333311704.txt

Moon Valley's future still remains uncertain

Published: Saturday, February 11, 2012 5:06 PM CST
The abrupt cancellation of a public auction of a number of land parcels known as Moon Valley means the property has survived another close call unscathed.

Moon Valley contains a 59-acre tract that Save the Dunes Conservation Fund hopes to make into a nature preserve.

The property, which is owned by Beachwalk developer Tom Moss, was set to be auctioned Wednesday. But La Porte Savings Bank, the plaintiffs in a La Porte Superior Court case against Moss and Beachwalk Limited Partnership, canceled the auction without giving a reason.

Moss said Wednesday that he is attempting to “navigate through these difficult financial waters. Our goal is to continue to be a valuable asset to Michigan City and La Porte County.”

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For nature lovers, the good news is that there are no plans to reschedule the auction. However, the land remains in the hands of a developer and he and the bank have control of its future at this point.

While Moon Valley remains at status quo, those who want to save it and protect it need to come up with a strategy quickly as close calls like this will not always have the result they wish.

While they have been vocal in their opposition to development, and vocal in their opposition to the auction, that won’t be enough in the future. Saving Moon Valley as a nature preserve will take a concerted effort from the current owner, local government, the business community, the conservationists and perhaps even private individuals. Until everyone gets on board, Moon Valley’s future remains uncertain.

[Southsider2k12]

Moon Valley bill fails

http://posttrib.suntimes.com/18159196-537/...nversation.html

[Job]

Moon Valley bill fails

http://posttrib.suntimes.com/18159196-537/...nversation.html

There hasn't been much talk about Moon Valley lately. I think its name should be changed to Coyote Canyon. There are so many coyotes there now that it is not safe to walk its paths. What a shame.

[Southsider2k12]

There hasn't been much talk about Moon Valley lately. I think its name should be changed to Coyote Canyon. There are so many coyotes there now that it not safe to walk its paths.

The owner is in bankruptcy now. It could be a while.

[Job]

The owner is in bankruptcy now. It could be a while.

The guys at Woodruff put food out for them.

[ChickenCityRoller]

The guys at Woodruff put food out for them.