The second piece of the Founders Landing puzzle has been sold.
MARQUETTE -- Monday night's vote went a little differently than the Marquette City Commission's March 30 meeting, which resulted in a unanimous vote to sell Parcel three to the Landing Development Group II for $1.5 million.
At the request of the developer, the commission postponed consideration of their proposal when the group's partner unexpectedly dropped out of the project. For now, they're in it alone.
"We've been in negotiations with a local hotelier, and we also have two other groups that we're are discussing as backups," said architect Barry Polzin of the Landing Development Group II. "We're very confident and that's why we have gone ahead and purchased the parcel ourselves."
The Landing Development Group II has proposed a mixed-use development for Parcel three, which will include both commercial and residential space, as well as a hotel.
"The public also needs to realize that Parcel three for example, the city owns 44 feet in from the shoreline," commented commissioner Fred Stonehouse, "so when we're discussing the purchase and sale of it, it doesn't include the waterfront."
That raised some concern from the developers. They're worried that the city may decide to one day build on their portion of the property.
"I agree with the original idea with Founders Landing--that is to preserve the entire waterfront for the public," said mayor John Kivela.
Again, this is a good opportunity," Stonehouse said. "We have been at it for a long time and we certainly need to move forward on it."
The motion passed six-to-one.
According to Polzin, it'll take about a year before they're ready to break ground on Parcel three and then another five to eight years before the entire project is completed.
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