Former Cliffs Dow property could be location for new DJ Jacobetti Home for Veterans

MARQUETTE, Mich. (WLUC) - The former Cliffs Dow property in the City of Marquette may be the home of the new DJ Jacobetti Home for Veterans.

A resolution of intent to sell was adopted at the Marquette City Commission meeting on Monday. Marquette City Manager Karen Kovacs said the site is a good fit for a new home.

“The Cliffs Dow site is one of those larger pieces of property, it’s just over 30 acres and is suitable for the veteran’s home because it would keep it within the city near the hospital and other services our veterans use,” Kovacs said.

The city previously had an intent to sell resolution with the Veridea Group that was approved in July 2019. At the meeting, the city said that due to multiple factors, they have been unable to come to an agreement on the sale.

Monday’s decision suspended that resolution and entered an intent to sell with the state of Michigan. Kovacs said although negotiations are in the early stages, the state will need to ensure the former chemical processing plant site is ready for development.

“It needs to have continuous monitoring with some of the known contamination in the soil. With concerns like that there are solutions and things that are done in order to prep sites for development. That is what we anticipate what the state or any developer would be doing,” Kovacs said.

Kovacs adds that after negotiations, final approval of a purchase and development agreement would come back to the city commission. She highlights the importance of the home to Marquette.

“It’s a community need and looking at what role the veterans play within the community it is a very important one and the home also employs many community members. being a part of this is really special,” Kovacs said.

There’s $34.2 million in the current state budget to replace the aging veteran’s facility and house about 100 members. The state is seeking an additional $63.6 million from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs for the project.

In a statement sent to TV6, Michael Kroll, the Deputy Public Information Officer for the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs said, “Michigan Veteran Homes, along with the State of Michigan, are looking at several different sites in the City of Marquette/Marquette Charter Township that may be candidates for the construction of the new Michigan Veteran Homes D.J. Jacobetti. As we look to build our third new Home in Michigan, we are currently having preliminary discussions with the city to determine if this property would be suitable to provide care to our U.P. veterans.”

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