MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – A new condominium development is on its way to the Forestville Trail Basin in Marquette. The Marquette City Commission has approved the 8-condo subdivision called ‘The Bluffs.’ The subdivision is set to be located just south of where the current Forestville Trail Basin Road ends.
At Monday night’s city council meeting, amendments to the proposal were approved, allowing developers to move forward with its plans. The main concern focused on tonight was ensuring the construction of the new road would be The Bluffs owner’s responsibility, and not the city’s.
Representatives from the condo development were not present at tonight’s meeting to comment, but Marquette City Manager, Karen Kovacs said the plans are ready to move forward now that the amendments have been added.
“Sometimes what you can see are these private roads end up in the city’s ownership or there maintenance because it wasn’t properly documented.” Kovacs said. “This process requires that to be documented included in some of those things like the master deeds and some of those other condo legal documents.”
Also at Monday night’s meeting, The City commission is seeking counsel for a potential land swap deal involving the former Cliffs Dow Site. Currently owned by Marquette, The Cliffs Dow Site is being considered as a potential location by Michigan Veteran Homes for the new Jacobetti Home for Veterans.
In a previous Commission meeting, The MVH presented the idea of a land swap that would trade ownership of the current Jacobetti Veterans Home property and the Cliffs-Dow site.
At tonight’s commission meeting, legal and environmental consultants gave a presentation detailing issues of liability. Environmental contamination has been found at the Cliffs-Dow site previously, but city officials worry there may be concerning environmental factors at the current Jacobetti complex that could complicate any future repurposing of the property. City commissioners said they’re doing what they can to stay ahead of the timeline, but want to be diligent if any deal is made.
“There are a number of things that we like to consider to make sure that all of our bases are covered and that we’re not, in this instance, having one property go that’s contaminated, and having one property that is potentially equally or more contaminated” Kovacs said. “Obviously they are vastly different properties but there’s a lot to consider there.”
No formal letter of intent has been received by the city from the MVH. Kovacs said the presentation was just an informational opportunity for commissioners, but more will be released if any deal is made.
