UPDATE: Marquette City Commission approves Vault Marquette Brownfield Plan

MARQUETTE, Mich. (WLUC) - UPDATE: The Marquette City Commission voted Monday night to approve the Brownfield Plan for the $21 million Vault Marquette development, which is proposed for the Old Savings Bank building and on parking lots on Lakeshore Blvd.

A vote to approve the Brownfield portion of the Vault Marquette proposal passed with a vote of 5-2, with Commissioners Davis and Bonsall voting against.

“This isn’t the end of it. There’s a lot more of a process that has to happen. There’s many agreements that need to be put in to place, but this gives us the ability to continue to move forward and to continue to make sure that voices are heard, and concerns are being addressed,” said Braveworks Owner Jon Julien.

The developers are now able to move forward and were approved to use Brownfield money to build a new 200-space parking garage which would be open to the public and hotel guests.

Julien said Monday’s Brownfield approval also includes looking at the timeframe that the project’s eligible activities will be paid back.

“When those eligible activities are paid off, the funding would go back to the DDA,” he said.

Monday’s vote was only for the parking garage approval, and Julien said there’s still more to be done.

“We still have to go through a site planner review, we still have to go through several agreements that will be part of the brownfield plan, there’s still opportunity for public input, and we look forward to moving forward. This is a big step in the right direction to continue voices are being heard,” he said.

The Vault Marquette proposal includes renovating the interior of the Old Savings Bank building and creating a hotel, permanent housing and commercial space.

Monday’s vote is not an approval of the overall development project proposal.

“This is not the last time the Commission will talk about this project, it will come before us 3 more times from approx. August through November,” said Mayor Jenna Smith in a Facebook post. “The Commission, and the community, will have additional opportunities for input on the project.”

ORIGINAL STORY: A portion of a proposed development for downtown Marquette faces a key vote Monday night.

The Marquette City Commission is scheduled to accept or deny the Brownfield Plan for the Vault Marquette development. That is for the public parking portion of the plans for the old Savings Bank Building and parking lots on Lakeshore Boulevard.

There is a public hearing before the vote. It starts at 6:00 p.m. at Marquette City Hall.

CLICK HERE to watch a livestream of the meeting on the City of Marquette’s YouTube page.

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