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Local dentist warns commission Brownfield parking plan may favor hotel over public benefit
Summary
Angela Palamei, a downtown business owner, told the Marquette City Commission the proposed Brownfield-backed parking structure and adjacent hotel appear to prioritize private hotel guests and have already disrupted patient access; commissioners noted Brownfield tax capture comes from the DDA budget rather than the city general fund and encouraged further public input before any final approvals.
At two points during the March 30 meeting, dentist and downtown business owner Angela Palamei told the Marquette City Commission she and other long‑standing tenants have been harmed by a proposed parking structure tied to a private hotel and asked commissioners to re‑examine whether Brownfield tax capture remains justified.
“My practice is located in the Savings Bank building directly adjacent to the proposed parking structure and hotel project,” Palamei said. “This project is being presented as a public benefit, specifically public parking, but I have serious concerns about whether that public benefit is still justified.” She added that the parking scale has been reduced and that an approximately 80‑room hotel and a similar number of parking spaces could mean much of the parking is used by hotel guests rather than the public.
Palamei described tangible impacts: loss of immediate drop‑off access for patients with disabilities, longer walking routes in winter, and legal disputes that have required expensive counsel. “As a taxpayer, I have to ask, is it appropriate to defer that future tax revenue for a project that primarily supports a private development with limited or uncertain public benefit?” she asked.
Commissioners responded on record. Commissioner Hanley emphasized Palamei’s concerns and urged interested business owners to speak at public hearings, while another commissioner clarified that the captured tax revenues referenced for work in the downtown project are DDA tax capture funds rather than the city general fund. Commissioners encouraged the project‑area stakeholders to participate in upcoming public hearings before any final vote.
Outcome: No commission vote on the Brownfield project occurred during the March 30 meeting; commissioners acknowledged community concerns and noted the matter involves DDA tax capture and will proceed through public hearings and future agenda items.
