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Council hears project updates: South Village, Chinook Pier delayed by soil testing, downtown hotel timeline pushed
Summary
Economic development staff updated council on multiple projects: South Village site-plan follow-up expected this spring, Chinook Pier groundbreaking delayed while EGLE soil results are finalized (report expected early February), a downtown hotel demolition/abatement in progress with potential summer 2027 opening, and developers seeking extensions for other projects.
City economic development staff provided a status update on Jan. 20 covering several development projects.
South Village (former Dake site) is progressing through preliminary site‑plan follow‑up and is expected to return to the planning commission this spring; the developer has an initial request to the EDC Brownfield/Redevelopment Authority for a housing TIF and staff is working through follow‑up questions.
Chinook Pier’s anticipated spring groundbreaking was delayed because soil sampling results have taken longer to process with labs and EGLE; staff said one remaining task remains before a formal EGLE report expected in the first week of February, and that the project timeline is now stretched toward August for construction start pending Coast Guard and permitting steps. Staff is coordinating with the farmers market and festival stakeholders on temporary arrangements.
Representatives of a downtown hotel (Grama Landing Hotel) requested a one‑year extension for their PD (planned development) request; staff expects that request to return to council Feb. 2. A diesel plant redevelopment team reported feasibility challenges and has not submitted a site plan; staff said they are evaluating options. Staff also noted demolition and asbestos abatement work for a downtown property on Washington Street, with a target to open the hotel in summer 2027.
Council asked about development agreements and letters of intent; staff said those items are in progress and that additional approvals will follow through planning and council steps.
