Construction crews expect to start work near the entrance of downtown Houghton within a month. Site developers Moyle Construction and UP State bank will build a new bank branch and create several housing units at the Hodge Building. The project recently received site plan approval from the city’s planning commission. Project manager Andrew Kemper says as soon as the developers receive permits from Houghton County work will start.
I mean, work is going to be happening at that site from sometime here midsummer, probably through 2026, even into the 2027 construction season because of the multiple phases of construction. We don’t anticipate that there will be any kind of significant disruption of traffic on College Avenue. We have a couple of driveways to put in, some work right away there. Disruption should be minimal and we’ll work with the city and MDOT to contain those for residents and the incoming student population – Andrew Kemper, Project Manager, Moyle Construction
Earlier in the year, UP State Bank finalized its purchase of 902 College Avenue for 440,000 dollars. The agreement between the city and developers also requires the project to create housing units.
It should be one of the nicest banks in the UP on the west end of the property. It’ll have an integrated parking structure for its customers to be able to pull in and out of the weather, which is going to be awesome. The other exciting component of this project is we have a two-phase condominium project that’ll be owned by the Moyle organization. We’ll be pre-selling those units here very shortly. – Andrew Kemper, Project Manager, Moyle Construction
A major challenge engineers and the construction crew will work to develop a solution for is the area’s varying grades. The project includes an underground parking structure that will sit below a portion of the bank and housing developments.
The city of Houghton has been a great partner in this project. They’ve worked with us, with our engineering team to help resolve some of those issues and those challenges. And ultimately our construction team will work through the upcoming construction seasons with the utmost professionalism to get those buildings wedged into that tight little site.– Andrew Kemper, Project Manager, Moyle Construction
He adds while drivers might like to see what phase the project is in, please refrain from driving distracted. Moyle anticipates Upstate Bank moving into the new Houghton address in about one year. The first of two condominium buildings should start work this fall. Kemper says residents interested in the condominium waitlist should contact Moyle to learn more.
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