Detroit Mayor Looks To Sell Golf Course, Decrease Deficit

In order to decrease his city's budget deficit, Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is looking to sell Rackham Golf Course. However, the potential sale, which has upset the surrounding community, may be denied by a deed restriction.

1 minute read

June 15, 2006, 6:00 AM PDT

By Mike Lydon

"Is $5 million par for selling the course?

Ever since Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick revealed last week that he wants to sell the city-owned Rackham Golf Course in Huntington Woods to developers for at least $5 million, critics have questioned whether the deal can, or should, go forward.

One possible stumbling block is that back in the 1920s, philanthropists Horace and Mary Rackham gave the city the 120 acres on a condition: The property must remain a public golf course or the land would revert to their heirs.

Whether the potential buyers, a partnership called Premium Golf LLC, can overcome that deed restriction to develop the land as residential housing remains unknown."

FULL STORY: Is $5 million fair for fairways?

Wednesday, June 14, 2006 in The Detroit Free Press

Community / Economic Development Government / Politics Michigan

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