The Record-Eagle (and today's Enterprise) report that Brad Lutz, who signed a purchase agreement for the resort in February, announced Tuesday he won't close because he hasn't finished his review of the deal.
"We're still very interested in Sugar Loaf. We've done a lot of work out there and we still have a good plan for the property," Lutz said. "But we couldn't accomplish in 90 days what others haven't been able to accomplish in eight years."
...Lutz declined to discuss his plans in detail, but said he wanted to make the resort more of a four-season attraction in Leelanau County. He said he also needed more time to work on details like county and township approvals for renovating the property, tying down building demolition costs and reaching and resolving sewer issues as the resort's sewer system is not part of Wickstrom's holdings.
Read Purchaser pulls back on Sugar Loaf deal in the Traverse City Record-Eagle and also see Offers for Sugar Loaf shot down from the Leelanau Enterprise.
The photo is (still) waiting for Sugar Loaf by Andy McFarlane (who is still (still) waiting for Sugar Loaf).
Sugar Loaf area resident Bryan Poirier - who was up late practicing for the upcoming New Third Coast tour opening for Neil Young - was startled Sunday night to see "a bunch of lights zooming up and down the face of the mountain, but I just figured it was Jim Rennie 'sleep-grooming' again."
Rennie, another area resident, admitted that he had sought treatment for the rare sleep disorder. He said that he had been headed over to the Loaf to set a few gates "just for practice" when he too saw the strange lights. Upon arrival, he realized that the lights were a remarkable array of unidentified flying objects. By morning, county law enforcement officials and a growing crowd of curious onlookers were on the scene.
Calls to Sugar Loaf's owner, attorney and realtor went unanswered, setting people's minds somewhat at ease that it was still business as usual at the long-shuttered resort. Shortly after noon excitement was rekindled when, at a hastily called press conference, it was announced that Sugar Loaf Mountain had been sold ... to aliens!
The purchasing party is a consortium of several alien species who are calling themselves INVADER (Intergalactic Negotiators for Very Amicable Development of Extra-species Relationships). INVADER spokesman Klaatu announced the sale of Sugar Loaf for an undisclosed sum and pledged a massive investment in anti-gravity chair lifts and advanced alien snowmaking technology that would render the hills skiable 10 months out of the year.
When pressed about the selling price, Klaatu said "Long ago, we abandoned the concept of money ... along with war, starvation and reality television but I can tell you that all parties are happy with the outcome."
Alien attorney Zoth the Destroyer dismissed as "outrageous" speculation that the resort would be used as the beachhead for an alien invasion and regrettably ate our photographer, cutting the interview short. We did receive a lovely fruit basket by way of apology, however.
The Leelanau Enterprise talked to Brad Lutz regarding the listing of Sugar Loaf:
Lutz told the Enterprise on Wednesday morning that his “option to purchase” Sugar Loaf Resort from Wickstrom remains in force, and that he was still in the “due diligence” phase of his efforts to acquire the resort. Even though Wickstrom decided to list the property for sale after Lutz signed an agreement with her, he said "nothing has changed from my perspective."
Read Sugar Loaf listed for sale: Omena man still interested in the Enterprise.
I was chatting with Rob Serbin yesterday and he let me know that Sugar Loaf Resort has been listed on the MLS (for the low-low price of $5.7 million):
Michigan's famous Olympic mountain ski resort located in beautiful Leelanau county. This 478 acre (8 Parcel development) includes 144,000 Square foot lodge and hotel facility, airport, vacant land and much more!!
It's listed through the TheNetworkAgents.com and they direct questions about the state of the resort to Kate Wickstrom's attorney Joseph Quandt. According to the comment below, the listing is through Carolyn Collins at cjcollins.net (you can get it through the other link too).
I think it's important to note that right now, the fact that it's been listed probably doesn't mean a whole lot in regards to the Brad Lutz bid for the resort. Thanks also to Lex and everyone who emailed it over and stay tuned to our Sugar Loaf coverage (and look for something in tonight's Enterprise).
The Enterprise has a little more about Sugar Loaf in this week's paper, but since they haven't posted it, I thought I'd link to this article about Sugar Loaf suitors and Omena residents Brad & Linda Lutz from last week.
I should also link over to the Traverse City Record-Eagle, whose editors say Brad has a steep hill to climb and though:
It's easy to imagine Brad Lutz as just another Sugar Loaf victim in waiting. He's never done this before and he is treading where others have failed.
But a lot of people also wrote off Ray Minervini, the developer who took over the Grand Traverse Commons and, step by step, has revitalized parts of the former state hospital grounds.
Well, it's really to early to say, but last Friday I had to hike down around Whaleback on the Lake Michigan shoreline to catch a look at Sugar Loaf before the sun set. Almost looks like you could ski it today!
The photo is available at biggie and super-biggie sizes for your computer background/wallpaper enjoyment.
In Sugar Loaf deal reached in the Leelanau Enterprise, Eric Carlson reports that Omena resident Brad Lutz has signed an option to purchase Sugar Loaf Resort from Kate Wickstrom.
The resort has been closed for skiing since March 2000. Lutz offered no timetable for reopening the resort, but made it clear that he expects the return of skiing at Sugar Loaf to be "a central focus" of his efforts. The condition of ski lifts and other facilities at Sugar Loaf Resort is such that no skiing will be possible there this ski season.
"Of course, we want skiing to return," Lutz said. "Sugar Loaf has some of the best runs anywhere in the Midwest."
But, Lutz added, he is "going into this deal with some fear and trepidation" and is well aware that he may be facing many obstacles.
"I've heard people in Leelanau County say they'll believe it when they see it when it comes to Sugar Loaf," Lutz said. "Actually, that's just about the right attitude to have in this case. I'm enthusiastic, I'm local, and I believe in Leelanau County – but I have no illusions. This will not be simple or easy."
I have no illusions either, but I am excited to see some new life in a place that was once the winter heartbeat of Leelanau - here's hoping that we'll all be Sugar Loafers once again!
We have re-launched our Ski Leelanau! page for the 2007-2008 ski season.
We'll be posting regular ski reports for the Homestead Resort's Bay Mountain ski area and nearby Crystal Mountain. We also have cross-country trail reports and a blizzard of skiing and winter fun links and photos for Leelanau County, Traverse City and the surrounding area.
Check it out at leelanau.com/ski.
The Leelanau Enterprise had an article on the possible sale of Sugar Loaf that addresses skepticism felt by many in the community. It begins:
The co-owner of a restaurant and bar within sight of Sugar Loaf Resort says she isn't removing the "for sale" sign on her business anytime soon despite press reports that the defunct resort may soon be sold to a Leelanau County man who wants to reopen it for skiing.
“I’ll believe it when I see it,†said Karen Bardenhagen, who along with her husband, Pete Bardenhagen, owns the former Sugarfoot Saloon in Cedar...
“We’ve heard so much about what’s going to happen at Sugar Loaf over the past several years – things that turned out not to be true – that I just don’t know what to believe anymore,†Bardenhagen said.
It's probably too early toget excited, but I have to agree with Cleveland Township Supervisor Tim Stein that "At this point, any change at Sugar Loaf Resort will be a good change."
Read the rest of Sugar Loaf sale talk spurs 'cautious' hope in the Enterprise.
The Traverse City Record-Eagle sent out an update yesterday saying that a Deal is in the works for Sugar Loaf Ski Resort. They have the full article today titled Shuttered Sugar Loaf may get new life:
A man with Leelanau County ties is purchasing the long-shuttered Sugar Loaf Resort property.
An attorney for resort owner Kate Wickstrom said his client approved a purchase agreement for the property with Brad Lutz, a seasonal Leelanau County resident. Lutz is working on details related to the resort's sewage treatment system before the transaction is finalized, said his attorney, Robert Parker of Traverse City.
"He's real excited about it ... he's very committed to re-opening the ski hill," Parker said.
So there you go ... let the speculation (and ski waxing) begin.
