Proposed Harsens Island development much more than 'condos'

Copyright ©2007 Times Herald

Based on this map published previously in the Times Herald, the development that Grande Pointe Development LLC (Lucky 7 Development LLC) has proposed for Harsens Island, MI is much more than “condos.”

Central to the proposed development is an island situated in the middle of a manmade lagoon feature which has direct access to the North Channel of the St. Clair River via a new canal -- the reason for the reroute of North Channel Dr. These elements make up almost 2/3rd of the overall project.

The main lagoon is bordered by 75 single family home sites (likely to have individual boat docks given the lagoon and canal features); 96 townhomes or "detached condos" built in clusters of six; and an island "clubhouse" (likely a yacht club-like facility given the development’s other features). None of the more traditional attached condos are on the main lagoon.

Entering the main lagoon via the proposed North Channel canal, one would see the Clubhouse directly ahead, situated on the point of the island.

The majority of the 348-unit "condo development" (somewhere between 175-250 units) is actually on the back 1/3rd of the project, clustered around a leg that comes off the main lagoon and is bisected (cut-off) by the proposed reroute/bypass of North Channel Drive.

The project oddly enough also incorporates a cemetery which backs to water-front single family home lots. Some have recently made both querry and comment to TVT about Indian burial grounds, or "mounds" on or near Harsens Island but there is nothing to indicate at the moment that there is any link with the cemetery called out on the graphic representation presented here.

Michael J. Malik, Sr., a casino developer, is the landowner and individual behind the plans for Harsens Island. He has been behind Indian casinos in Manistee and Port Huron as well as California and New York. He and a former partner had proposed nearly a decade ago that the former Harsens Island Boys & Girls Club site be developed as a commercial marina.

Last year Malik appealed a decision by the regional office of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that indicated his project would be subject to the Federal Rivers & Harbors Act and possibly the Federal Clean Water Act as well. Malik's appeal was denied so as of now, he will need various Federal approvals to move forward.

UPDATED 4.27.07