Houghton Planning Commission Hears Update on Parking Task Force and Parking Deck Demolition Bids

City Manager Eric Waara informed the city planning commission last night that after the parking deck is demolished, Houghton will need to rethink parking in the city. Years of poor parking culture has led to underutilized parking lots, numerous types of parking permits, and locals using parking meant for consumers coming to downtown shops. A task force has been organized to study parking in Houghton, and have been at work for a few months already. In the coming months the task force will continue working with Waara and the police department to determine how parking will move after the parking deck comes down. Waara additionally informed the commission that bids for the demolition have come in above budget, likely due to material shortages and inflation over the past year, since demolition was approved. Waara plans to work with engineers on what can be removed from the Lakeshore Drive redevelopment plans.

Additionally the planning commission approved a site plan modification for the Keweenaw Waters Resort near Coles Creek. The resort originally planned to construct 24 individual cabins on the east end of the resort. But will now combine the final twelve cabins into two, six unit buildings. Keweenaw Waters Resort Developer, Derek Bradway, said that the modification will make for easier access to the canal, and the resort will still retain the same amount of total units.

The planning commission also recommended the city council approve the capital improvement plan with an addition to obtain and improve the Pewabic Street Gardens from Houghton County.