Benton Harbor's Jean Klock Park–Part 1 A Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course or Preservation?

Benton Harbors Jean Klock Park--Part 1 A Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course or Preservation? Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

INTRO: Real estate developers have broken new ground in the twin cities of Benton Harbor St. Joseph. Governor Granholm has said the project would decrease the racial tension that exploded during the riots of 2003. Lawsuits had slowed the process down. Opponents said they didn’t clean up polluted land nearby. And they acquired part of a public park illegally. But now the $550 million resort home and golf complex is getting built. Michigan Now’s Chris McCarus reports.

The Harbors Shores Resort Company has rented tour buses. People inside wear dark suits and ties including St. Joseph Mayor Bob Judd.

“The value of this land was very low because there was nothing here. It was unused property. The tax base we’re working from is tiny. So we’re gonna have a developer have a golf course. We’re gonna have homes.”

The bus stops so the developers and bankers can do a ceremonial dig. This new subdivision once had an old factory on it. It was torn down years ago. So like the mayor said it was vacant. But the other subdivision the buses have just come from?

“It was a ghetto. It was pretty rundown. Most of the houses were uninhabited. They were abandoned. Condemned.”

Abraham Mathiau works on the construction crew.

“And then some of them weren’t. A lot of folks lived here. They were bought out by Harbor Shores. Came in. Offered them money for the houses and just cleared them.”

Harbor Shores is building a total of 800 houses and condominiums. I asked one of the men in suits and ties why that was a good idea these days?

“It’s a good idea in this community.”

Says Ted Green of Chase Bank in St. Joe.

“Development projects in general across the country haven’t faired so well recently. But in this community with Whirlpool’s involvement, they’re a very strong partner. And the folks at Cornerstone and Evergreen…they have a proven track record.”

This is a $550 million dollar project. Whirlpool Corporation is kicking in most of it. Workers don’t make washing machines here anymore. But it’s still corporate headquarters. Executives will be buying property in Harbor Shores.

These waves wash onto Jean Klock Park. The City of Benton Harbor used to own it all. But developers said we want 22 acres. We want the tops of the sand dunes for our golf course. We’ll give you $900,000 for them. City officials said OK. The developers then chopped down most of the trees. They shifted around 900 truck loads of soil. Some of it contaminated. And they built a road and a parking lot right near the beach. Nicole Moon has worked with two different groups Protect Jean Klock Park and Save Jean Klock Park. They’ve filed lawsuits to stop the project.

“You know when you live in an apartment, which the majority of us in this town live in apartments, we don’t own anything, it was a place to come and actually have a moment of peace. It was a very calming, meditative, beautiful place.”

Nicole Moon, Judy Jones and Bette Pierman park and walk up the stairs. A path still leads to the top of the fragile dune. It’s about 50 feet above the water. The lake and the parking lot are on one side . And one of the new Jack Nicklaus signature golf greens is on the other side. 10 feet away.

“The deed of this park in the courthouse of St. Joseph will live forever.”

That’s Bette Pierman. She’s reading a document from 1917. John and Carrie Klock donated these 90 acres to the city. Their daughter Jean died young. The land was supposed to remain in public hands.

“Perhaps some of you do not own a foot of ground. Remember then that this is your park. It belongs to you…the beach is yours. The drive is yours. The dunes are yours. All yours.”

Their group Protect Jean Klock Park made a YouTube video with this music. In 2008, another group sued in Berrien County court. They lost. Then they appealed. And lost again January 21. Says Bette Pierman.

“This is setting a precedent. And if it’s not stopped you can kiss beach front parks in Michigan goodbye.”