Alger County has transferred a building in Munising Township over to the Luce Mackinac Alger Schoolcraft (LMAS) Health Department.

“This is a win-win for everybody,” Alger County Commission Chair Jerry Doucette said. “LMAS said they are looking to expand, which increases their services, so that’s good for the citizens of the county.”

Questions were raised based on the language of the agreement on whether or not the building could be subleased and still retained by the health department. Incoming commissioner Dean Seaberg made public comment expressing how subleasing could be considered use.

“The language doesn’t say how the building has to be used,” Seaberg said. “They need to use it.”

The building currently has two open office spaces advertised on its front sign and also holds the Michigan State University Extension offices. Despite the rent to other groups, there is still a majority of the space used by the health department.

Alger County Administrator Steve Webber said that he did not believe LMAS had any intentions of completely subleasing the building.

“We’ve worked hand in hand during the lead up to the transfer and (the building) would revert back to the county if they’re not using it. They intend to be there for a while and they’re willing to take on the responsibilities of the building,” Webber said.

In the interest of clarification, a clause was added stating that LMAS had to operate out of the building. The final vote was 4-0 in favor of the transfer with the additional language.

The building does not include the entire parcel of property. A previous division of the land allows the vacant part of the land to stay with the county in case of further development. The county’s part will have direct access to M-28 and provide opportunity for construction of another building if the county chooses to move its emergency services garage away from the county jail in Munising proper.