The shores of the blue-green Leland River are undergoing a transition for the first time in years.
Already gone is a MDNR dock built in 2009 that hid 96 feet of shoreline. The dock was judged as too feeble for safe use, much to the chagrin of some folks in the community who voiced concerns to Leland Township.
The frontage occupied by two legacy restaurants are also a-changing, which will likely be followed by a rebuild of the more-than 400 foot dock on the south side of the river that’s part of the library-museum complex. Following is an overview of what’s happening to the shores of the Leland River as it widens, slows and turns west for its final journey to Lake Michigan.
Riverside Restaurant
There’s been a concern among purveyors of fine cuisine that their travel options for the Riverside Inn would be limited to land, which wasn’t going over well, according to Leland Township supervisor Susan Och. She’s fielded phone calls from folks who cast a wary eye toward the removal of docks along the Leland River that gave restaurant goers direct access to a popular deck for outside eating with an up-close view of the Leland River.
Not to worry, according to Turner Booth, president of Fernhaus Studio, hospitality manager for the “Riv.”
“Over the past few years we started noticing wear and tear to these elements that went beyond simple repairs. In the fall, we concluded that a full renovation of the dock and deck was inevitable and that we should undertake the project in the spring,” Booth said.
While the project won’t be completed until early June — about the time prime boating season begins— inside dining is available. Turner believes the completed project will enhance the dining experience offered at the Riverside.
“The finished result will enhance the outdoor dining experience at The Riv. Docking for patrons will still be offered and we will continue to welcome those arriving by boat to tie up and dine with us. Natural landscaping and a few thoughtful details will round out the setting and make it the place to be on a summer evening,” Booth said.
Bluebird Restaurant
While the traditions offered by the Bluebird Restaurant will change — that’s inevitable when you tear down a building and start from scratch — the Telgard family isn’t going anywhere. In fact, Skip Telgard is excited about the outdoor dining experiences being designed into the new Bluebird, which will provide for seating right along the tranquil Leland River.
The building is now under construction and won’t be ready this summer, but suffice it to say that river front dining will become a major draw for the revised restaurant and bar area. A few years ago, the Telgards sought to utilize their river frontage by installing 15 boat slips, which are all rented.
Seawall behind township library and museum Och said the township has applied for $808,000 in Congressional funding for a repair project that was far behind the township’s means. As the township was invited by the office of U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow to apply, she’s hopeful the funding will be approved.
“I’m told it’s unusual to be asked to apply for this type of grant, so we’re hopeful,” Och said.
The present seawall has fallen into disrepair, although the plan isn’t to rip out old pilings and start anew. Instead, new steel pilings will be drilled into the river bottom to the outside of existing wooden pilings.
Original estimates for the project made in 2019 came in at $500,000, but the cost keeps growing. The length of the wall would be reduced about 70 feet to 355 feet.
The seawall is popular in summer for boaters who want to tie up and spend the day in Leland. In September it hosts the popular Wooden Boats on the Wall live exhibit, which is part of the Maritime History Festival sponsored by the Leelanau Historical Society.
