The Ore Dock Brewing Company has purchased the blighted building at 214 S. Front Street and has acquired the adjacent surplus City property for the development of a Beer Garden that will be a three-season outdoor food, beverage and entertainment center in downtown Marquette. In addition to the building demolition and outdoor venue, Ore Dock Brewing will be expanding the building footprint and brewing capacity. Anticipated private investment is approximately $1.5 million.
As part of the project, environmental response activities, asbestos abatement, demolition of the blighted building at 214 S. Front Street, and site preparation activities are necessary and a Brownfield Plan is being proposed to reimburse these extraordinary expenses through the capture of increased taxes generated by the additional private investment. The Brownfield Plan also includes a non-motorized trail connection between the Rosewood Walkway and the Iron Ore Heritage Trail.
A public hearing must be established and held by the City Commission for the approval of the Brownfield Plan.
The property is located in the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and Local Development Finance Authority (LDFA) Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Districts which have first right to certain tax increment revenues. In order to receive approval for State tax capture for Eligible Activities, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Michigan Strategic Fund require either a proportionate expense or approval to forgo future tax increment revenues from the DDA and LDFA to reimburse Brownfield Eligible Activities.
An Interlocal Agreement under the Urban Cooperation Act with the Marquette Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (MBRA) to forgo future revenues for Brownfield Eligible Activity expenses was approved by the DDA at their January 13, 2022 meeting and by the LDFA at their January 25, 2022 meeting.
The attached Brownfield Plan was presented to and approved by the MBRA at their January 20, 2022 meeting.
Attached is a resolution for consideration by the City Commission to schedule a public hearing for the February 14, 2022 City Commission meeting. The Brownfield Plan will be presented for City Commission consideration at that meeting.