Group launches green space fundraising effort
An unnamed donor is helping get the Green Space on Prospect Street campaign off to a great start.
A group of Romeo residents looking to preserve the site of the former Romeo Middle School as green space has selected the Four County Community Foundation (4CCF) to serve as fiduciary for its fundraising efforts, and are now seeking donations and pledges in order to purchase the property from Romeo Community Schools.
The fundraising goal is $500,000 by June 2024.
To kick off the campaign an anonymous donor has pledged to match donations dollar for dollar up to $150,000.
Green Space on Prospect Street volunteers believe the former school site is an ideal public green space that can serve as habitat for native animals and plants and provides a space for wellness, learning and relaxation.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency green spaces are also known to draw people outside and not only foster social interactions but also business developments.
Open, green spaces in communities are attractive to prospective buyers and generate multiple economic benefits for local governments, home owners, and businesses. The economic benefits of open, walkable, green spaces play an important role in policy-making decisions about zoning, restrictions on landuse, government purchase of lands for parks and similar initiatives.
The property at 297 Prospect Street in Romeo Village’s historic district, which is actually three separate parcels each zoned R-1 single family, is currently owned by Romeo Community Schools. The school district explored the idea of selling the vacant property to a developer earlier this year and received pushback from residents surrounding the property.
There is a timeline the organizers are trying to beat.
At a Nov. 6 meeting, the Romeo Community Schools Board of Education voted unanimously to terminate the request for proposal for the property and put a moratorium on sale of the property to developers until June 1, 2024. During that time, Green Space on Prospect Street plans to work with the Village of Romeo Board of Trustees to develop an acquisition plan for the property.
Donations to the Green Space on Prospect Street fund, held by Four County Community Foundation, can be made by visiting https://bit.ly/Greenspaceromeo or sending a check to 4CCF at P.O. Box 539, Almont MI 48003.
If the land acquisition does not happen within one year’s time, donations to the “Green Space on Prospect Street” fund will be redirected to 4CCF’s Romeo Community Fund.
Those looking to make large donations can contact Donna Folland directly at greenspaceromeo@gmail. com or 248-736-1649.
For more information on the Green Space on Prospect Street campaign, visit greenspaceromeo.org. The
Four County Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization serving portions of Lapeer, St. Clair, Macomb and Oakland counties, that works to connect human and financial resources in order to support progressive ideas in education, health, community, youth and adult programs.
For more information visit 4ccf.org or call 810798-0909.