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Editorial by Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief
I have a vision — or rather a hope — for my hometown of Scottville. I know that Scottville, like many small towns, will never return to its former self. With “big box” stores located just a few miles up the road, the commercial independence of Scottville will never be what it was. That doesn’t mean that it can’t be something else.
As you have likely read in the news, Scottville has been facing some financial issues. The most recent looming $500,000 deficit is unfortunate, and, I believe, was inevitable. Some decisions made over the past couple of years certainly expedited the oncoming deficit, but it was bound to happen regardless.
In government, just like in business and in our personal lives, in order to net more money, you either cut expenses or increase income.
City Commission has started this process with the former, making the difficult decision of cutting expenses; the most notable by eliminating the police department, among others such as reducing city hall hours and decreasing the interim city manager’s salary (at his request). This is only a temporary solution.
There aren’t many more expenses that can be cut without residents seeing a decrease in the quality of living. Therefore, In order for the City of Scottville to prosper it must increase revenues. This can be done by raising property taxes — but, who really wants that? I sure don’t. Good luck ever selling your home if that happens.
So, it’s time to think outside the box and find new solutions.
Doing the same thing over and over again, and protecting sacred cows will not result in Scottville prospering. So, I have a proposal.
It’s time the city develops McPhail Field into housing.
Mason County has a housing shortage. This has been a looming issue that has been building up for the last several years. The entire county cannot grow — and Scottville cannot grow — until there are more houses. And while I am concerned about the entire county, I am more concerned about my hometown.
Scottville is basically one square mile. There isn’t a lot of available land in the city limits, especially available public land. McPhail Field is 19 acres and sits in the perfect place along US 10 (State Street). It has quick access to utilities such as water, sewer and broadband.
But isn’t McPhail Field deed restricted? No, it is not.
According to their wills, which I have a copy of, McPhail Field was deeded to the City of Scottville by Curtis W. (known as C.W.) and Catherine McPhail in 1928 for $1, to be used as a park “and for no other purpose; except that such a portion as is necessary for an athletic field may be enclosed for such purpose.” CW McPhail died in 1939 and Catherine died in 1931.
The deed restriction was lifted in an April 1953 quit claim deed, executed by the Fountain Street Baptist Church of Grand Rapids, which had acted as a residuary beneficiary under the will of C.W. McPhail. In C.W.’s will, he left $5,000 to the City of Scottville to make improvements to the field.
C.W. McPhail was the founder of State Savings Bank of Scottville, which is now known as West Shore Bank. He was also the father of Leland “Larry” McPhail, who was the general manager of the Cincinnati Reds professional baseball team and later vice president and general manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers. Decedents of Larry McPhail still work in professional baseball Read more here.
From its development until 1997, McPhail Field served as the primary outdoor athletic complex in Scottville, jointly operated by the city and Scottville/Mason County Central schools. In 1997, MCC developed Spartan Community Field on its main campus, essentially moving all school-level outdoor sports to the new fields. McPhail Field, to this day, continues to be used for little league t-ball, softball, and baseball, along with little league football practices, recreation soccer and adult recreation softball — all at the expense of the good tax payers of the City of Scottville, though the majority of the field is used by non-tax payers.
The McPhails were business people. I have to imagine if they saw Scottville in its current condition that they also would concur that it’s time to develop the old field into something that will actually produce income for the city. Build houses and collect more property taxes. Plus, increase the population.
Let’s talk sports.
In my opinion, some of the current ball fields could be replenished on MCC’s property and I believe the school would likely be welcoming of a developer who would pay for those replenishments along with other much-needed improvements such as additional bathroom facilities and better drainage at all the current fields.
Additionally, there are other ball fields that sit empty in other parts of the county.
Two t-ball fields already exist on the southern side of the Scottville Elementary property. They would naturally need to be re-developed, but it’s a perfect location for t-ball with plenty of parking.
Just to the north of high school is a field that the marching band uses to practice in the summer and fall. This happens to be the same size as a football field. This space could become an additional football field for the recreation Pop Warner league, as could the soccer field that is no longer used for soccer. There is also open space just west of the Upper Elementary that could become another softball field.
Let’s also keep in mind that there are many other ball fields in rural Mason County. There are fields in Riverton Township, Fountain (Sherman Township), Walhalla (Branch Township, Custer, Meade Township, Free Soil, and Victory Township.
The tax payers of Scottville no longer need to subsidize the recreation needs of others who live in rural Mason County. Instead, we the property owners in the City of Scottville need to develop our community so it will be sustainable for the future. This needs to be done by letting go of some traditions and growing our town.
I do want to add with the above statement that Mason County Central does administer a fairly robust rural Mason County recreation program which allows participation from children from any Mason County school, and beyond.
Back to housing.
The Mason County Board of Commissioners has been looking at acreage the county owns on Johnson Road west of Brye Road for the purpose of developing it into housing. This land is basically wetland. Plus, it is right next to the airport. Who wants to live on swampy land next to an airport?
Instead, the county should be in conversations with the City of Scottville about developing McPhail Field. Scottville is currently indebted to the county for past sewer project loans, which could perhaps be forgiven or paid off as part of the deal. Further, as part of the development deal, the county could consider including swapping the land for its Fifth Street zoning and building department building, and move those offices to the airport terminal, and move the county administrator back to the courthouse. This deal would allow the City to move out of its antiquated city hall, which is in need of hundreds of thousands of dollars in repairs and way too big for the city’s needs. A private owner of the city hall building would likely qualify for grants to redevelop that space (and then it goes on the tax rolls, making more money for the city).
If Scottville is ever going to see economic recovery, its citizens and leadership need to think outside the box. There are limited options to see economic growth and more housing is a key element to the equation especially since Scottville is primarily now a bedroom community.
Perhaps not everyone agrees with my opinion. For those who don’t, I welcome you (and I am speaking to those who have a vested interest in the town, i.e. taxpayers and residents) to share your ideas for how Scottville could significantly increase revenue without taxation.
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