Council approves MOU to transfer downtown parking lot to SC4 for rehabilitation, public parking retained

The Port Huron City Council voted to approve a memorandum of understanding allowing Saint Clair County Community College (SC4) to take responsibility for rehabilitating a city-owned parking lot at the corner of Michigan Street and Bard Street and to maintain it as free public parking.

The measure, presented as a memorandum of understanding, was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Archibald and supported by Council Member Pemberton; the motion passed on a roll-call vote with all council members recorded as voting yes.

The MOU authorizes SC4 to fund and perform rehabilitation work on the parcel and obligates the college to maintain the space for public parking so long as the city continues to offer free downtown parking elsewhere. Mayor Ashford said the arrangement relieves the city of an unfunded maintenance liability while protecting parking needed for downtown redevelopment, and praised SC4’s contribution to downtown vibrancy. “Since that facility has opened, the only emergency response calls we get there is when somebody has the popcorn in the microwave too long,” Mayor Ashford said, describing student housing near downtown and SC4’s role in bringing young people to the area.

Kirk Kramer, president of SC4, told the council the college is investing in downtown connections and student housing and described the partnership as part of a long-term vision to strengthen ties between the campus and the city. Pete Lacey, SC4’s senior vice president and chief partnership officer, and college staff worked with city leaders on the MOU. City staff said SC4 has access to state funding sources that the city does not, and that the college will rehabilitate the lot at its expense and allow continued public use.

City staff noted the lot’s condition and the need for upgraded parking infrastructure to support existing and planned downtown development, including renewed interest in nearby condominium projects. The MOU also includes provisions tied to maintaining parity with other downtown lots; if downtown parking policies change, the parties agreed the MOU terms would be revisited.

The council discussion emphasized preserving public parking while enabling private or institutional investment to improve city-owned assets without up-front city spending. The motion passed unanimously.

Ending: The MOU transfers immediate rehabilitation responsibility to SC4 with no change to public access as long as downtown parking remains free; the city and college said they will coordinate next steps for the project’s design and timeline.