Miles Point Saved Forever!
Miles Point Green is a Success!!
ESLC is excited to work with conservation buyer on permanent preservation and public access
Eastern Shore Land Conservancy, who has spearheaded the fundraising and communications around the efforts to save the Miles Point property in St. Michaels, announced today its plans to continue to work with the Town, residents and the new conservation buyer for the property, to ensure the property’s permanent preservation. The town of St. Michaels voted Friday to approve the transfer of their option to purchase the property to a conservation buyer JD LLC, which will purchase the property, and then work with ESLC to place a conservation easement on the 89 acres and provide the public access to the Miles River. JD LLC is the same entity which made a $5 million pledge to saving Miles Point Green. Price negotiations between the seller and JD LLC resulted in a final $8 million purchase price. Private funds raised for this project will go towards this public access area, with donor approval.
“Eastern Shore Land Conservancy is thrilled that the property will stay as it is now – green and undeveloped – forever! This has been the ultimate goal for over a decade,” said ESLC Executive Director Rob Etgen. “We are excited to work with the town and conservation buyer to place a permanent conservation easement on the property and to creating a public access space on Miles Point Green.”
The purchase and conservation of this property ends a 12-year-long series of legal proceedings and lawsuits among the developers, those opposed to the development and the Town.
“So many people have done so much to show their commitment to help keep this amazing piece of property green forever and it is exciting to see those dreams come true. This is a rare example of what can happen when a town comes together to realize a goal and is a success story for the entire Eastern Shore,” said Etgen. “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the community for the blood, sweat and tears they poured into saving this property and look forward to celebrating this accomplishment with the community.”