MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – The Forum sought the public’s input on the viability of selling Lakeview arena to a group of local investors. Two local business leaders from Base Hospitality Group addressed the commission, expressing their interest in purchasing the aging facility.
“We approached the city to discuss the potential acquisition of Lakeview by a nonprofit affiliate of ours that would ideally maximize Lakeview as a public Ice arena and really see Lakeview become what it could be, realizing its full potential as a community resource base,” said Holsworth.
Hospitality currently owns several area hotels, and according to Holsworth, can devote more resources and a wider array of financing options than the city.
“We’re able to put the lion’s share of our energy into this project over the next three to five years, and the city manager doesn’t have that luxury,” said Holsworth.
A major concern for residents is what might happen to the arena. Marquette City Manager Karen Kovacs assured the commissioners that the facility must remain as it was originally intended,
“There is a deed restriction on that land that it must remain as an Ice Arena, convention facility, or other related public activity, so it cannot be condos,” said Kovacs.
Marquette Mayor Jessica Handley stressed that this proposal is in its very infancy.
“So, this is the first step. If we continue forward, moving on this, it’s going to be more local talks, more meetings, more votes, and negotiations to find out how much this building is worth. Is this financially viable? Is this something we should do? This is not, by any means, even close to decided on anything. Not a single decision was made tonight,” said Hanley.
