MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – The Marquette City Commission has approved a motion to move forward with development proposals on South Lakeshore Boulevard.
The property located at 601 South Lakeshore Boulevard has been up for discussion in the past for development and the commission has voted against building on the property.
The Commission voted 5-1 to allow city manager Karen Kovacs and her office to begin reviewing 3 proposals the City has received. The proposals include 2 hotels and a relocation for the Marquette Federal Credit Union. The property located at 601 South Lakeshore Boulevard has been up for discussion in the past for development and the commission has voted against building on the property.
The lone no vote on the motion came from Commissioner Jenna Smith. Smith says “I feel like we’ve heard from the community loud and clear that development on that side of the road is not something the community is interested in seeing.” Smith did mention that now that the vote has passed she will support the rest of the commission and the City Manager in reviewing the proposals.
Commissioner Jermey Ottoway was one of the members leading the charge in moving forward with development proposals. He says it’s the Commission’s responsibility to explore options when it comes to the south lakeshore property. He said that the possible revenue creation from selling or developing the property is something the city has to look into. He says “We have to do it in a responsible way, no one on the commission including myself wants to do anything to alter that lakeview.”
The commission is set to meet again on February 27th but is not expected to have more updates on the south lakeshore property at that time.