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Commission approves lease amendment to allow gate at Pier Marquette breakwater to close during hazardous waves
Summary
City staff won approval to modify the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers waterfront lease so a gate can be installed on the south breakwater arm at Pier Marquette Beach. The gate is intended to allow public-safety closures when waves crest over the pier.
The Muskegon City Commission authorized staff to sign an amendment to the city’s lease with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to allow installation of a gate on the south arm of the Pier Marquette breakwater.
Purpose and background: Public Works Director Dan Vanderheide and Public Safety Director Tim Kozel said the gate is a requested part of a broader safety plan tied to a pending grant to the Corps to pay for the gate itself. Vanderheide explained the Corps technically owns the breakwater arm and the city holds a lease area that permits public access; the Corps requires a lease amendment before any gate installation will be allowed.
Operational use: Kozel described the intended operational rule for closures: the gate would allow staff to close the pier when hazardous wave conditions exist, such as when waves crest over the pier on a 30% basis (described in the meeting as “if we see 1 out of 3 waves crest over, we can close it”). The closure authority would be exercised by on-site staff or officers; staff said the intention is to keep visitors safe, not to restrict access when conditions are normal.
Precedent: Kozel said other lakeshore communities have similar gates or are in process, including Manistee, Luddington and other Michigan lakeshore cities.
Vote: The commission passed the lease-amendment authorization by roll call; commissioners recorded an affirmative majority and the motion passed.
Next steps: Staff will execute the amendment with the Corps and pursue the grant to fund the gate’s physical installation; the commission and staff emphasized the gate is a safety measure tied to wave and weather conditions.
