The Presque Isle Park Advisory Committee voted at their November 9, 2016 meeting to recommend a sole concessionaire for paddle sport tours and rentals at Presque Isle Park.  The Commission granted a lease to Superior Kayaking for the park from 2016 through last year. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB) voted on August 16, 2021 to manage paddle sport tour opportunities, along the entire City waterfront, through one sole concessionaire request for proposals (RFP). The Harbor Advisory Committee supported PRAB's recommendation for a sole concessionaire at their September 21, 2021 meeting with suggestions for safety requirements to be included in the RFP.  Staff advertised an RFP on March 14, 2022 and received one - Marquette Mountain Resort, LLC.  Staff determined the proposal met the criteria outlined in the RFP.

Marquette Mountain Resort, LLC has requested a permit for non-exclusive use of launch and takeout sites for paddle sport tours.  The term of the permit is from May 15, 2022 through October 31, 2022.  Marquette Mountain Resort, LLC will pay the City five percent of total kayak tours and rentals through monthly payments.

Allowable launch/take-out sites include Presque Isle Middle Beach by the Superior Watershed Partnership Building, McCarty's Cove, and Founders Landing Pier Kayak launch (once open to the public).