09/14/2006

Foundation donates $500K to help preserve Fishtown

BY BILL O'BRIEN

bobrien@record-eagle.com

LELAND — A $500,000 contribution from a prominent Leland family's foundation pushed the Fishtown Preservation Society more than halfway to its $2.5 million goal to purchase the historic fishing village and regional tourist attraction.

The donation from the foundation of the late Edmund and Virginia Ball pushed the society's fundraising total to $1,227,000. The society's goal is to raise $2.5 million by Dec. 31 toward a $3 million Fishtown purchase agreement reached in June with the Carlson family.

"We're very excited. The Ball family, they've just been wonderful," said Richard Rossman, president of the Fishtown group.

The Balls were long-time seasonal residents in Leland, and their family is involved in numerous philanthropic efforts both locally and across the country. They helped found the Leelanau Conservancy, one of the region's top land preservation organizations.

The Fishtown group also received a $305,000 donation from the family of John and Janice Fisher, while members of the society's board of directors donated $183,200. The organization has received gifts from 537 donors and also raised $6,000 through the sale of "Save Fishtown" buttons.

The pending deal with the Carlsons includes 11 properties in the Fishtown district next to the Leland Harbor, plus two fishing boats that have worked the Lake Michigan waters off Leland for years. The next phase of the project is to raise another $2 million to complete the transaction and pay for educational efforts that will include exhibits and interpretive displays.

More fundraising is planned for Saturday at "Fishtown Fest" from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. as part of Leland's Heritage Day.

On the Web at www.preservingfishtown.org