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After Title Search Surprise, Vikings Cede Land to Ferndale, Gain $49k & Homage
(Crystal A. Proxmire, May 11, 2020)
Ferndale, Hazel Park, MI –A recent title search meant good news for the Hazel Park School District, who came away from property ownership negotiations with an unexpected $49,000 and a sign with their Viking mascot to be erected in Ferndale’s Martin Road Park.
The park is on Ferndale’s east side, between the train tracks and the Hazel Park border, in the Hazel Park School District.
For decades the park was thought to be owned solely by the City of Ferndale.  However when the City applied for a grant from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, a title search was required as applicants needed to prove sole ownership.
And that title search found it was not.  Both the City and the Hazel Park School District were found to have 50% equal ownership of three plots of the park’s land.  So, in order to accept the grant and to have unfettered access for future use and future grants, the City negotiated with the district to buy out their interest.
Both parties wanted to come up with a fair solution, so they hired an independent firm to do an appraisal, which valued the land at $100,000.  And they split the value in half and added in a provision to include a Viking sign as a symbol of collaboration, according to Assistant City Manager Kyle Pollet.
He said they wanted to “create a resolution of sorts that would… share the value of the relationship we want to build with Hazel Park Schools.”
Hazel Park Vikings have always been a part of the Ferndale community, though their presence has not always been as prominent as the Ferndale Schools (which include most of Ferndale as well as parts of Royal Oak Township, Oak Park, and Pleasant Ridge). Amy Kruppe was hired as Superintendent in 2015 and has been working to better connect the district with the community, with a strong social media presence and involvement in regional discussions and collaborations.
Pollet said of the Kruppe and the School District’s attorney, “They have been nothing but amazing and a great partner throughout the process.”
Ferndale Councilperson Raylon Leaks May said “It feels good we’re starting to build relationships with our neighboring school districts and municipalities.  I can tell you that atmosphere in that room is one of new beginnings…I was proud and pleased to be a part of it.”
The money for the land purchase will come from the 2015 parks and roads bond. Of the road and parks bond, two million was set aside for parks, just under 1 million remains for Martin Rd. Park, Pollet said.
With those funds, the splash pad is still a priority for the City.
“We are focusing on the splash pad first which will use a large portion, if not all, of the remaining bond funds set aside. Then we will look for grants and future funding from council once things settle down if council wants to continue other improvements,” Pollet said following the meeting.
When asked when the splashpad will be finished, Pollet said “We hope to work on the planning and contracting this year and then have it open in spring, or summer more likely, of 2021.”
As for the Viking, Pollet said the. signage is still in early stages of conceptualization.  “We’ve got a few ideas.”