MARQUETTE, MI— The Marquette City Commission is moving forward with Marquette Township on a housing development project off Forestville Road.
Monday night, the Commission authorized a partnership between the two entities under Public Act 425, called a “425 Agreement.” Most of the project land is owned by the Township, while about 29 acres is owned by the City. The 50-year agreement lets both entities share tax revenue from the development within the areas of their jurisdictions.
Around 230 homes in seven different styles are planned. Half of the project’s 161 acres will be conserved as green space.
Marquette Township Supervisor Lyn Durant said the Township is excited about the project, and Commissioner Jenna Smith said tackling the housing problem is something the City can’t do by itself.
“I think any opportunity we have to work with our neighboring municipalities is worth considering, and this one especially checks some of the boxes of things that we are working on here in the City of Marquette that we can’t do alone. Housing is something that we’re going to have to look to our neighboring communities to cooperate and coordinate with,” she said.
Township water and sewer lines would be brought up Forestville Road, so the City wouldn’t have to pay for those services.
The project is expected to take five to eight years to complete.
Also at the meeting, the Commission voted unanimously to authorize an application for an $8 million Community Development Block Grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. It would be used to help defray the $20 million cost of demolishing the old Marquette General Hospital.
And it was the last meeting for Commissioner Evan Bonsall, who is moving to Wisconsin for a teaching job. The Commission now has 60 days to fill the position. Applications for the post are at www.marquettemi.gov.
The Commission will appoint Bonsall’s replacement at its January 30th meeting.
