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Marquette commission approves Brownfield amendment to allow integrated parking at former hospital site with 15-year private TIF capture
Summary
After public comment and developer remarks, the commission approved an amendment to the Marquette General Hospital Brownfield plan to allow Brownfield TIF support to be redirected toward integrated parking. The commission directed staff to prepare a development agreement limiting private TIF reimbursements to 15 years.
The Marquette City Commission on Monday approved an amendment to the Brownfield plan for the former Marquette General Hospital that shifts eligible Brownfield activity from abatement and demolition toward integrated (structured) parking to support a larger residential redevelopment.
The amendment requires a development agreement that will limit private tax increment financing (TIF) reimbursements to 15 years, City Manager Karen Kovacs told the commission; commissioners approved a resolution directing the manager to draft that agreement for later review.
The change drew public comment opposing the use of Brownfield funds for parking. "Do not approve this redirection of Brownfield funds without conditions. At minimum, require the reopening of College Avenue in the interim," said Barb Auzai of 1324 North Front Street during the public hearing. Auzai urged enforceable timelines and mitigation for neighbors affected by demolition and site work.
A Viridi Group representative told the commission the company now owns the 17-acre campus and plans a phased redevelopment that he estimated could total about $200 million in private investment. "A significant portion of which will be residential development," the developer said, and he added the project will include an estimated $2 million community park.
Deputy city clerk and staff summaries presented the plan's funding history: the original Brownfield plan targeted abatement and demolition costs paid in part by an $8 million Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and an $8 million legislative blight elimination allocation. According to staff, Viridi requested the amendment because integrated parking is necessary to achieve the proposed residential density; staff noted integrated parking costs could affect the project's financial viability without TIF support.
The commission's resolution amends the Brownfield plan and directs the city manager to prepare a development agreement that will specify a 15-year capture period for private TIF reimbursements. The amendment had previously been approved by the Marquette Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (MBRA) but required reapproval because of subsequent modifications.
Commissioners said they weighed increased taxable value and long-term investment against concerns raised by residents. The roll-call vote was 6-0 in favor.
The commission's action does not itself finalize any reimbursements; the amendment and any TIF payments will be governed by the forthcoming development agreement and subject to the procedures required for Brownfield plan amendments, including notice to taxing jurisdictions and final commission approval of the agreement.
The commission also heard staff and commissioner remarks about traffic and neighborhood impacts near Magnetic Street and College Avenue; staff said a traffic study and further discussions with the developer will inform mitigation and timing details.
Proponents and opponents alike said they expect more negotiation on specific commitments once the development agreement is drafted.
