Commission approves Brownfield plan for 401 West Washington after public hearing; 11-unit mixed-use project cleared 7-0

The Marquette City Commission on Aug. 25 approved a Brownfield plan for 401 West Washington Street, clearing the way for a 16,150-square-foot mixed-use redevelopment that includes two commercial spaces, integrated parking and 11 residential units. Commissioner Mike Larson moved to approve the plan and Mayor Pro Tem Rotem Schlegel seconded; the motion passed on a 7-0 roll-call vote.

The City Clerk summarized the Brownfield plan during a public hearing, saying the project anticipates a total investment of $4,556,000 and seeks reimbursement of Brownfield-eligible environmental and housing development costs. The clerk read that “a total reimbursement of $1,076,825 over 20 years is included under this Brownfield plan with $671,768 from the local capture and 460,057 from the state capture.” The plan was approved earlier by the Marquette Brownfield Redevelopment Authority and has interlocal agreements in place with the Local Development Finance Authority and the Downtown Development Authority.

Developer Josh Vosicula, one of the applicants, spoke during the public hearing and thanked staff and the Brownfield team, saying the redevelopment will turn “a stain on the corner into something really beautiful.” He told commissioners the development team was available to answer questions and thanked the authority staff for their work.

Commission discussion before the vote was brief. Commissioner Davis said she welcomed additional housing but noted community concern about the length of tax-capture schedules, saying she found the 20-year capture period “too long” for the scope of the project. Davis said she had discussed the issue with city staff and that her support reflected that the project’s capture sits inside the DDA boundary and therefore affects the DDA’s tax increment financing rather than the city general fund. No amendment to the plan was offered on the floor.

The commission recorded the roll call as follows: Davis — yes; Gottlieb — yes; Larson — yes; Mayor Hanley — yes; Ottaway — yes; Mayor Pro Tem Schlegel — yes; (Mayor) Hanley — yes. The clerk announced the motion passed 7-0.

The Brownfield plan authorizes reimbursement of eligible activities through local and state tax capture and is subject to the terms approved by the Brownfield Authority and the commission. The plan’s documentation indicates the 20-year capture schedule and the split between local and state capture as read into the record by the city clerk.

The project now proceeds to implementation steps identified in the Brownfield plan and the associated development agreement; city staff and the developer will coordinate on next steps including design, permitting and the schedule for construction and reimbursement claims.