MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – The virtual public presentation was held this afternoon and was open to the public. The online program provided updates on the planning process and shared findings from the first 2 phases of the project. The company working with the City of Marquette on the Plan is DAAR Place Consulting.
The firm was brought in to help evaluate the effects of tourism on the community and develop recommendations to balance tourism-related economic benefits with residents’ quality of life. The project included community input, meetings with residents and business owners, and a public survey. There was, however, one major issue.
“The first priority really was housing. This is a big challenge for many people. And again, Marquette is definitely not unique to this,” said William Bakker of DAAR Consulting.
So what did the survey find as areas of concern? Well, overcrowding, busy parks, trails, and public spaces, particularly during tourism season. One finding told of citizens feeling like they have no say in how the city welcomes its guests.
“We asked them, ‘ Do you feel like you have a say in the decision-making process about tourism? Sixty-one percent of them said no,” explained Bakker.
The people of Marquette did make it clear who they don’t want to be.
“It’s also important to get a sense of who you don’t want to be. And they were loud and clear that they don’t want to be Traverse City, added Tyler Robinson of DAAR Consulting.
The study identified many potential causes for problems, but one thing was clear. Things changed when COVID hit; the full report and the presentation are scheduled to appear on the City of Marquette’s website in the future.
