Visitors to the Headlands International Dark Sky Park will have a new vantage point to see the stars. The park is getting an observatory. Emmet County commissioners moved the project forward at last night’s board meeting.
It will replace the Beach House. Emmet County Commission board chair, Jim Tamlyn says officials had first considered renovating the historic summer home.
"The price tag on that was approaching a million dollars to do all of the rehab that the building needed," he said. "No one wanted to take the building down. But there was really no use for it."
The new facility will accommodate 150 people, whereas the Beach House could seat 40 people.
The 7,500-square-foot building will be energy-efficient with a green roof and be handicap-accessible.
"You know, the old song they tore down paradise to build a parking lot," said Tamlyn. "We don’t want to hurt what we have to maintain and improve our educational opportunities here."
The concept would cost $4 to 6 million dollars. County officials hope to raise funds through private donations.