The Marquette Commons is the catalyst project for a larger program of downtown revitalization that began in 1998 and encompasses several projects focused on developing the downtown and creating a central public gathering place.
The goal of the project is to reconfigure parking and streetscapes to support downtown businesses, reorient the downtown to the lakefront, increase recreational and cultural venues, increase the number of people living and working downtown and connect the downtown to the rest of the city’s non-motorized trail network.
In 1998, the City of Marquette started to solicit public input on a “linear park.” Several public meetings, including a design charrette, were held between 1999 and 2001. A public meeting was held and a survey was conducted in 2001 to determine what amenities people wanted in the park.
Recent surveys of area youth— high school and college students and participants at local forums conducted as part of the Cool Cities Initiative—reinforced strong support for an outdoor ice rink. In addition, the youth requested more outdoor concerts and non-smoking, alcohol-free venues in a central location.
The Marquette Commons Project is a result of that input.
The following features will be included in the commons:
• 12,000-square-foot, refrigerated out-door ice rink, the only facility of its kind in the region
• A building with public restrooms, storage and vending/food service
• farmers market/performance venue
• bike path
• public art
• reconfigured parking
• facade improvements for commercial buildings and downtown housing
In preparation for the commons, two phases have been completed. They are:
• The Streetscape Improvement Project (2002-2004)—The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) awarded the city a $680,350 grant, with the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and Board of Light and Power (BLP) funding the remaining project costs for reconfigured parking in support of downtown businesses, the moving utilities underground, streetscape improvements on Spring Street and the Spring Street bike path.
• The Downtown Rental Rehab and Facade Improvement Program (2002-2004)—In partnership with the MEDC and the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) awarded the city a $250,000 grant to increase and improve affordable housing located above downtown businesses. The city was able to use the Commons Parking and Streetscape Improvements project as its “match.” In 2003, MSDHA awarded the city an additional $166,600 to renovate the rear facades of downtown buildings surrounding the new Marquette Commons. Seven downtown building facades were renovated and $195,000 in private investment was leveraged.
• Marquette Commons Ice Plaza, Support Building, Bike Path & Fountain (2004-2006)—When completed, the grant from the NPS’s Land & Water Conservation Fund for $280,000 will fund fifty percent of the cost of the rink’s construction. The DDA is funding the remaining cost through the sale of bonds.
The DDA has received a grant from the Michigan Council for the Arts in the amount of $16,400 for an outdoor stage and sound equipment for summer concerts and performances. Other non-winter uses of the ice plaza will be cultural events and a farmers market.
In 2004, the city received a $100,000 Cool Cities catalyst grant from the State of Michigan for the Commons project, including a 4,000 square feet support building, that will house the rink’s mechanical systems, a zamboni, public restrooms and food service facilities. The remaining cost of the building will be funded by the DDA through the sale of bonds. Construction on the building is scheduled to begin in 2005.
A privately funded fountain will be situated on the rink’s north side. Benches made from the railroad trestle’s iron girders will be located around the rink.
A $650,000 grant from the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will fund the construction of two segments of bike path to connect existing gaps in the city’s network. One segment runs through Founders Landing. The commons segment ($150,000 in grant funds) will connect to the existing path at Spring Street, travel alongside the Marquette Commons ice plaza, proceed along the former railroad corridor behind Washington Street and end at Seventh Street.
The ice rink will be a one-of-a-kind attraction for our region. A non-motorized trail system leads people safely to the heart of the city to enjoy the Commons as a centrally located multifunctional, multi-season gathering place. The Commons, chosen for its central location near the downtown and restaurants, is more protected from the elements and there will be a warming building for the public to enjoy.
Current public “rinks” are flooded fields that are weather dependent and offer few, if any, amenities. Free time for skating at public indoor rinks is limited to a few hours on weekends because after-school and early evening hours are booked solid by hockey teams and figure skating clubs.
To find out more about what is going on in the City of Marquette, visit www.mqtcty.org, go to public access Channel 21 or e-mail questions to cityhelp@mqtcty.org
—Courtesy of the City of Marquette

Editor’s Note: “As a Matter of Fact” will be featured in City Notes in future months.

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