MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP, MI— The Marquette County Board has approved a Brownfield development plan for the Westwood Mall property in Marquette Township.
The plan includes demolition of about 112,044 square feet of the mall by the end of 2026. The Kohl’s, Dunham’s, and North Iron Church properties aren’t included in the plan. Developer Garritt Bader of Green Bay plans to construct around 25,000 square feet of new commercial space. That’s expected to be completed by the end of next year.
Township Supervisor Lyn Durant says the township has established a Brownfield tax increment financing district in the Westwood Mall. The property value will be that of the vacant land for the 2027 tax roll. The new owner will continue to pay taxes based on vacant land for the length of the TIF. The new value of the property will be taxed at that value, but the township will only receive the original amount of taxes on the vacant land. The increased value of the property tax will go back to the Brownfield Authority to pay the debt for the developer to demolish the property.
Durant says township officials are glad the blighted property will be revamped.
“We believe this is a small price to pay to have a very visible eyesore removed and a wonderful new development take its place.”
The mall has been closed since portions of its roof collapsed under heavy snow in February.
