Monroe County will now own another 70 acres of land at the northwest side of the interchange of SR-46 and I-69.

On Tuesday, the county council approved the $640,000 purchase of the land, which contains several limestone quarry holes.

The purpose of the land acquisition is to establish the location as a kind of outdoor limestone museum that celebrates Monroe County’s heritage of high quality limestone, and the role the limestone industry has played in local history.

The tally on Tuesday’s vote by the seven-member council was 5–1. Councilor Marty Hawk dissented. Councilor Cheryl Munson was absent.

The 70-acre parcel is just south of another 29 acres, which were purchased by the county in fall 2021 for the same purpose.

Hawk’s objections were known, based on the land’s history adjoining an EPA Superfund site.

The three-member board of county commissioners gave its approval for the land purchase at its meeting three weeks ago. Continue reading “Planned limestone heritage site now under Monroe County control, as $600K land purchase gets final OK” →