To the Journal editor:

The acreage adjacent to downtown Negaunee now known as Old Town has become a beloved public green space for citizens of the city as well as visitors and tourists.

It has become one of the town’s biggest attractions and draws more people every year. It contains a segment of Iron Ore Heritage Trail, countless hiking and biking trails, thriving wildlife and the historic remnants of the Lost Community.

The city is now proposing to take a 5-acre parcel out of public use and rezone it for residential private development. The public should be very concerned about losing any of this cherished public green space.

Public input is critical to prevent this land from being taken from us and sold off to a private developer. Public comment is being taken at the next Negaunee City Council meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Negaunee Senior Citizens Center.

More details at Protect Old Town Negaunee’s facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554905725460.