Westwood Mall Stays Open, Forestville Housing Development Delayed, 906 Adventure Team Park Delayed, Room at the Inn Has Big Plans, NMU Trends Upward, and a Gustatory Treat at the Masonic

The Latest from Marquette, MI by Brian Cabell

HALLELUJAH, the power remains on at the Westwood Mall amid fears of another shutdown. Apparently, the monthly bill was paid…Still awaiting an individual or group to come forward with an offer that the out-of-state owner can’t refuse. Likely, it would be a low-ball offer, but then there would be the issue of paying hundreds of thousands in back taxes and making much-needed repairs.

MORE DELAYS IN housing developments around town, similar to what we detailed last week…Forestville, the ambitious 160-acre, 240-home development out in the woods of Marquette Township, was originally scheduled for move-in this year. Not gonna happen. Sixteen units have been approved for development so far, but no construction underway yet…“We’re working on a few things, we’re getting ready to go,” says Alysa Arwood, the Director of Real Estate Development for Longyear which is developing the property. No timetable yet for breaking ground.

LESS THAN TEN minutes south of downtown Marquette, the new Parker Heights development looks like a convenient spot to build a new home…Twelve sites available, but only three have sold so far, though developer Derek Parker is confident that this summer will change that…All builders and prospective homeowners welcome…"I don’t want to put a stranglehold on what size and what style of home that people want to build there,” Parker explains, “but no trailers.”

Parker, himself, has nearly finished building one luxury home at Parker Heights—He’s estimating it will sell for close to $1 million.

A DELAY, AS well, with the 906 Adventure Team’s plan to build a set of elaborate biking tracks at its property on Lakeshore Boulevard. Various problems, including the tragic death of Tara Gluski, the Team’s Adventure Coordinator, have led to the delay…"We don’t have a firm date for construction yet,” says Todd Poquette, the founder of the organization. “We’re still hoping for later this summer.” The plans for the bike park still need to be sent to the city for administrative review.

Cost of the initial phase of the park is $345,000…Included will be a “pump track,” a “jump line” off of a 10-foot-high platform, and an oval track surrounding the property for both bikers and walkers.

“WE’RE TOLD THE last piece of equipment should be here by August, and we’re hoping to open it in September.” That’s Nheena Ittner talking about the new, all-inclusive Kids Cove park at the Lower Harbor. She’s the chairperson of the committee that’s transforming the park…Price tag: $1.7 million…$250,000 still to be raised, and Ittner emphasizes that naming rights for the park are still open to any generous individual or family out there.

Wondering about that huge hill that’s been built at the park? That’s to help create two slides--no ladders needed!—for all kids, even those in wheelchairs.

The idea for an all-inclusive kids park was hatched back in 2011. Thirteen years later, we’re almost there.

A DISTURBING TREND…No need to tell us that kids, glued to their phones, are increasingly spending more time sitting indoors. The National Parks and Recreation Association estimates that today’s children spend just 4-7 minutes a day playing outside…Only one in ten kids walks or bikes to school these days; back in 1969, it was four in ten…The average teen walks five miles fewer per week than he/she did in the 1990s…And according to the CDC, the percentage of children and adolescents affected by obesity has tripled since the 1970s.

NEW AND AMBITIOUS plans for Room at the Inn. Executive Director Chelsie Wilkinson is hoping, within the next two years, to find a a second location for RAI so that homeless families and the elderly could be housed at the current Warming Center location on West Washington Street, while other individuals could be housed at a separate location—maybe a closed church, school, or motel…"I’m confident this is a plan that will work because this is a community that recognizes we have a serious homeless problem,” says Wilkinson…Homeless families, she emphasizes, are especially on the rise. She’s hoping to find scattered housing for them at various apartments and duplexes around the town this fall.

NMU GRADUATION DAY is coming up on May 4th, and for the fifth straight year, the number of graduates has increased. This year, the total is 1013…Even more important, enrollment for the Fall is tracking higher than it did last April, and remember, 2023 was a banner year for NMU with enrollment up nearly 10%…Further good news: The NMU administration and the faculty union have worked out a new contract that will give the nearly 400 faculty members a 6.25% pay increase in the upcoming fiscal year.

SO YOU’RE THINKING the Lake level seems to be down? You are right. It rose ever so slightly in the last month, but compared to April of 2023, Lake Superior is still down 11 inches…That’s substantial. The shoreline is widening…Over the next month, though, forecasters believe the Lake will start rising again, likely a few inches.

THE SATURDAY FARMERS MARKET opens up May 18th…More than 70 vendors’ spots occupied, with a waiting list. Something new this year—The Community Foundation will be funding “The Power of Produce,” a program operated by Partridge Creek Farms. “We’ll be teaching kids how to make better choices with food,” says Brian Shier, the Market Manager…The Wednesday Market opens on June 19th, again this year on a closed-off Washington Street downtown. The new venue was a big success last year—many more shoppers, more activity. Fifty vending spots available, and as with the Saturday market, a waiting list.

HATS OFF TO Marquette County Habitat for Humanity. On May 6th, they’re dedicating the 110th home they’ve built in the county since 1992…That’s 110 deserving families who’ve been made happier and more secure through the hard work of Habitat, its donors, its volunteers, and the families, themselves. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more good-hearted and effective organization in the county…"We had almost 300 volunteers help us with our homes last year,” says Deannna Johnson, Habitat’s Executive Director here. “We are expecting more this year.” Two more homes will be built by Habitat in Marquette County this year.

A TREAT FOR the tastebuds, and a party, as well…“Elements of Taste” opens its doors tomorrow (Saturday) evening at the Masonic, showcasing the talents of seven chefs and seven mixologists. “They’ll have free rein to create whatever they want,”says Digs owner Pat Digneit who, with his wife Alyssa, is co-hosting the event. “They’ll be creative, they’ll be showing off their skills.”…The food and drinks will be spicy and salty and sweet and fermented, and more…A DJ will be playing tunes, as well, to keep the party going…Tickets still available. All proceeds to benefit the NMU’s Theatre and Dance Department.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream."

— C.S. Lewis