Larry Mawby

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Looking up the coast for clues to solve the housing riddle

The region’s need for housing has been well documented. That’s particularly true for homes priced for sale between $150,000 and $300,000, as well as long-term rentals commensurate with that price. In Leelanau County, with a median price of $640,000 and an average price of $937,506, the challenge is acute. Perhaps part of the answer lies in looking north. Emmet County’s housing market mirrors that of Leelanau in many ways. It is a popular resort and vacation area with a number of high-end second and vacation homes. In trying to get arms around the problem, the Leelanau Peninsula Economic Foundation undertook a survey of county businesses, which concluded the number one barrier to doing business is the lack of workforce housing. Now the Leelanau County Housing Collaborative, an arm of the LPEF, is asking workers, employers, and other community members to take part in the Leelanau County Attainable Housing Survey. The survey is designed to gather public input on housing needs and community priorities to help inform future housing solutions across the county.

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Grand Traverse Band, New Community Vision, re-acquire Mashkiigaki on former Timber Shores property

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The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians and the New Community Vision (NCV) nonprofit have reacquired land historically known as “Mashkiigaki” (formerly called Timber Shores)—which totals more than 200 acres along West Grand Traverse Bay between Suttons Bay and Northport. The Band gets more than 188 acres, including 1,800 feet of pristine shoreline; NCV gets 24 acres along M-22. The transfer deed was recorded on Dec. 26. New Community Vision has worked for two years to acquire and preserve the former Timber Shores property, which developers unsuccessfully tried to turn into an RV park until they were stopped by a ballot referendum in 2022. NCV is collaborating with Peninsula Housing to develop attainable housing on its portion of the land. Mashkiigaki is one of the largest undeveloped coastal properties in the Grand Traverse region.

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League of Women Voters examine Affordable Housing in Leelanau County

The League of Women Voters of Leelanau County for its November Forum is presenting “Affordable Housing in Leelanau County: What is it Exactly?”, featuring Larry Mawby, president of Peninsular Housing. Mawby will provide an informative overview of what affordable housing means to those who live in Leelanau County. Time for Q & A will be given at the end of the presentation. This free event is open to the public. It will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 13, at 2:30 pm at the Leelanau County Government Center.

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Peninsula Housing launches new website

Peninsula Housing, the community land trust dedicated to providing secure, affordable housing for Leelanau County, has launched a newly designed website which, according to founder Larry Mawby, “reflects our work well, gives users more information about us, shows the projects we are working on, while inviting users to participate in our work.”

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Peninsula Housing sells its first affordable home in Northport

Peninsula Housing announced this weekend that the affordable housing nonprofit is excited to welcome John and Kelly Kehl as new homeowners of an affordable home in the village of Northport. The Leelanau natives are grateful for the community of support that made this possible, and Kelly stated in a press release, “We were the first applicants to reach the finish line through this program, and I can’t wait to show others it’s possible to buy a home in northern Michigan!” The Kehls purchased their home on Ransom Street for $220,000, according to Peninsula Housing founder and board president Larry Mawby.

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Twin Flames, Boat Fire, The Mill opens: Glen Arbor Sun’s top viewed stories of 2023

This year was a banner year for news in Leelanau County. The Glen Arbor Sun’s top viewed stories on our website in 2023 included the strange—a relationship coaching cult in Suttons Bay (“Twin Flames, a Suttons Bay cult, an inferno of controversy” was our fourth most-viewed story of all time); the heroic—a neighborhood effort to rescue boaters from a burning craft; the celebratory—The Mill made its long awaited opening on the Crystal River, and collaboration between the National Lakeshore and Leelanau Conservancy to preserve Glen Lake ridge property; the breaking news—an 18-hole putting course and restaurant planned to open next year in Glen Arbor; the historical—our 12-part series covering Leelanau’s farming families; and the reflective—remembering Horndog Newt Cole. Thanks for your readership, and Happy New Year! Here’s the list of our top 10 stories by online views in 2023.

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Mawby celebrates 50 years with sparkling evening at Bay Theatre

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Do you know how Sex got its name? Did you know Mawby wine has been to the North Pole? Do you want to know what the Leelanau County winemaker has planned for the next 50 years? Join Mawby for a sparkling evening of stories, both old and new, at the Bay Theatre in Suttons Bay on Thursday, Nov. 16, at 6 pm. Interlochen Public Radio news director Peter Payette will sit down to talk with with founder Larry Mawby and current owners Mike and Peter Laing.

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Peninsula Housing offers first affordable home for sale in Suttons Bay

Peninsula Housing has announced the availability for purchase of their first home. Located at 1002 S. Herman Road in Suttons Bay, this three-bedroom home was acquired by Peninsula Housing last fall. After extensive renovations, it is now ready to be sold at an affordable price to a qualifying buyer. “We are excited to be able to offer this home at a price that working families can afford,” said Peninsula Housing president Larry Mawby.

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In Vino Veritas: the wisdom of Leelanau’s early winemakers

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“In wine, there is truth.” Overquoted? Maybe. But in the case of the early winery owners and their family members of the Leelanau Peninsula, the expression holds true. Writing for the Glen Arbor Sun, Rebecca Carlson set out to understand the origins of the current successful wine industry in Leelanau. Through years of experimenting, working and taming the soil and vines, “In Vino Veritas” is in the lifeblood of these early Leelanau Peninsula vintners.

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On the air with Leelanau’s radioheads

Despite rumors to the contrary in recent years, the medium of radio is alive and well. In Leelanau County, independent radioheads share their love of music, practice citizen journalism, and produce feature segments over the airwaves and online, on venues such as Interlochen Public Radio and college radio station WNMC. Here are some of their stories.

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