Politics & Government
Racine County Agrees To Buy River Bend And Lease To Nonprofit Group
While the Racine County Board still needs to give its final blessing, officials with Racine County have brokered an agreement with officials with the YWCA to purchase River Bend. Once the deal is approved, Racine County will likely lease it to a new nonpr
The River Bend Nature Center will likely have a new operator by the end of March, but the new owners are more like old friends to the 76-acre nature center.
Jim Ladwig, executive with Racine County, held a news briefing on Friday announcing that a preliminary agreement had been reached between Racine County and the YWCA of Racine to purchase the property for $400,000. Using Land And Water Conservation Fund (LAWCON) they received years ago from the federal government, no county taxes will be used, Ladwig said.
A formal announcement is being made this morning, Feb. 27, 2012.
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The offer to purchase hasn't been completed and still needs a final approval from the Racine County Board. The Board is expected to vote on the expenditure by the end of March. Once completed, a newly formed non-profit group called the River Bend Nature Center Inc. will lease the property from the County for a nominal cost and operate the facility.
Spearheaded by Roger Chernik, of Mount Pleasant, and several members of other conservation groups, their primary purpose will be to keep the facility open to the public. Caledonia Patch featured Chernik and the group last week. Click to read the story.
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The YWCA purchased the property in 1959 and they wanted to sell the property because it no longer fit their mission.
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