MARQUETTE, MI— The Marquette City Commission is allowing City Manager Karen Kovacs to evaluate purchase proposals for property at 601 Lakeshore Boulevard.
A multi-million-dollar project such as a hotel would generate significant tax revenue annually at build out.
At a meeting Monday night, Commissioner Fred Stonehouse noted that roughly half the property in the city is tax-exempt.
“So, for the city to continue to fund those opportunities and those services that our citizens want, we really have to have the ability to pay for it, and we do that through tax creation,” he said.
Commissioner Jenna Smith said many residents have voiced their opposition to building on the lake side of city roads, and she agrees.
“I personally think that the character of Marquette would be negatively impacted by developing on that site, and I think that the character of Marquette is more important than $75,000 a year.”
The commission approved a motion to initiate a request for proposals process for other buyers interested in the site. It passed, 4 to 1. Commissioner Jenna Smith dissented. Commissioner Jessica Hanley was absent due to illness.
The RFP process will be open for the next 30 days.
