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The potential redevelopment of the parking structure property between downtown Houghton and the waterfront will be known as the Lakeshore Drive Project.
The effort had initially been called a “waterfront development.” The committee investigating options wanted to emphasize that there will be, in fact, no actual waterfront property involved in the discussions.
That committee was recently expanded to nine members, to better represent various community interests.
The city is proposing selling the parking deck property to a developer, if a project can be designed that would maintain access to existing businesses, enhance parking options, and produce a building that would blend in with downtown and be an asset to the city.
The Veridea Group of Marquette has been chosen as a development partner, and is working on design ideas.
At last night’s council meeting, city manager Eric Waara emphasized again that the existing waterfront trail and property are not part of the project area, and are, in fact, not the city’s to sell under any circumstances.
