Group Tours Ironwood's "Caves" Area

IRONWOOD, MI - Monday, June 22, 2009 - More than sixty "spelunkers" showed up Saturday to explore "the Caves" in Ironwood. The expedition, headed by Monie Shackleford, began behind the school bus garage on Ayer Street, and these "cave explorers" witnessed caves like no others they had ever seen before.

"The Caves" in Ironwood is a stretch of City-owned property along Ayer Street that was former mining land. Locals referred to the area as the "caves" because the land, due to the extensive mining, was full of mine shafts, and much of the area has subsided over the years.

Instead of witnessing  stalagmites, stalactites and other cave formations in dark, musty, underground pits, visitors to "the Caves" on Saturday found beautifully wooded wonderful green-space that most cities would die for. Nature has reclaimed this area which was almost completely cleared of all vegetative growth to accommodate the mines in the 40's, 50's and 60's.

Shackleford guided the adventurous group through the property pointing out interesting vegetation, some of which is invasive (not naturally occurring) to the area. She showed the group two massive cottonwood trees that are truly amazing.

The Caves area -- once thought to be waste land by the City -- has become a major issue for debate. Many believe the area should be preserved and used for silent sports (hiking, walking, biking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, etc.), motorized sports (4-wheel trails, snowmobile trails, etc.) and other recreation. They also support turning a portion of the area into a park to honor those who worked, suffered and died in area mines.  Others want the City to sell the property to developers. One local developer wants to purchase a portion of the land to build storage units. One City Commissioner previously advocated developing the property into a "light industrial" park that also featured retail businesses.

The City of Ironwood acquired the property through a land deal with Keeweenaw Land Association (KLA). The "Caves" area and land north of Ayer Street -- property the City is trying to sell to Hovey Companies, LLC to accommodate a 49-unit low-income apartment complex -- were all deeded to the City by KLA at the same time. At the time of the property transfer, KLA included a disclaimer stating that the land they were giving to the City was not suitable for construction due to subsidence. Many of the houses along Ayer Street were relocated some time ago because the ground in that area was unstable.

The City has been working with the Friends of the Miners Memorial Heritage Park (FMMHP), the Gogebic Range Trail Authority, and land developers to try to discover the best used of the land along Ayer Street. The Friends and the Trail Authority have discussed possible compromises that would safely allow for both motorized and non-motorized use of "the Caves" property. Tonight, the Ironwood City Commission will consider renewing a PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) Agreement with Hovey Companies, LLC., which would give the company a green light to begin construction of a new low-income housing project along the north side of Ayer Street.