Berrien County may have found a buyer for a 36-acre property it owns in Three Oaks.

We’ve reported the Berrien County Board of Commissioners last month relisted the Schwark Drain Drainage District at 6974 US-12 for sale after first putting it on the market in February. Speaking to commissioners Thursday, County Administrator Brian Dissette said it didn’t take long for an offer to come in after the relisting.

“The realtor working on behalf of the board has a buy-sell agreement,” Dissette said. “It will be considered next week by the finance committee with a corresponding resolution to move it to the full board.”

The board in 2024 authorized the purchase of the Schwark property, the site of a failed residential development back in the 2000s. The county drain commissioner had borrowed money to improve the land, but the treasurer later foreclosed on the developer for unpaid property taxes, leaving the county with $551,000 in debt. The county paid that off and has been trying to sell the land since.

Dissette said the village of Three Oaks has been privy to all developments throughout the process.

“We have worked for the past year to ensure that the village is keenly aware of how we’re marketing, the village is aware of what interest there is, and the village is aware of the details of this proposed buy-sell agreement.”

The goal is to find a residential developer interested in the site. That may require some rezoning by Three Oaks, but Dissette indicated village leaders would be on board.

The Three Oaks Village Council this week approved a letter of support for the new sale agreement being considered by the county. That will be included in paperwork reviewed by the county finance committee next week.

Image from Google Maps.