MARQUETTE, MI— The Marquette City Commission has nixed the trial lease of a parking lot to a sauna business.
Kuuma Sauna, LLC wanted to put the saunas on the lot by the former WE Energies power plant so residents and visitors could jump in the water afterwards. Community Services staff decided the site wouldn’t impede public access to the beach and the Marquette Fire Department approved of the plan, but the Harbor Advisory Committee had concerns about drop-offs and changes in current at the location.
Mayor pro tem Sally Davis said she visited the site three times to see if it might be appropriate.
“Once with someone who is very knowledgeable about water safety and about that area, and that person did not feel it was a good idea. Then I thought, ‘Well, that’s crazy. I should go back and try it out.’ So, I walked into it and I did not find a place that I would have felt comfortable swimming in.”
The lease proposal failed, 4-3. Commissioners Davis, Larson, Ottaway, and Stonehouse were the nay votes.
Residents who commented on the issue said it was a great idea but a bad location.