MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – During the Monday, December 8 regular meeting, the Marquette City Commission voted 6-0 to deny further discussions with the Room at the Inn regarding using city property to accommodate for shelter’s overflow.
This follows weeks of discussion, beginning with the commission originally voting unanimously to address to the needs of more emergency space. Room at the Inn initially requested for the Baraga gymnasium to be used, before it was proposed that the Presque Isle Pavilion be made available for up to ten beds.
According to City Manager, Karen Kovacs, these city facilities are not fit for overnight use, and that accommodations to using the space would also have to include coverages in cleaning, safety, and insurance, unable to be met by the city.
“The facilities that we have for the city are not meant for overnight use, so there are specific accommodations we have to look at, which includes cleaning, security, space, and fire needs,” said Kovacs. “When we think about the Presque Isle Pavilion with some of those complications, it’s really difficult to go ahead and have that be an acceptable use for a public space. In the case of an emergency, we would have more than what we have right now, but this was all hands on deck and our staff pushed hard to try and find a solution.”
Room at the Inn denied any comment regarding the board’s decision.
