The sun shines on the Marquette Harbor Lighthouse Thursday morning. The Marquette City Commission unanimously approved moving forward with the Harbor Lighthouse Park plan, which involved turning the property into a public park. (Journal photo by Corey Kelly)

MARQUETTE — The Marquette City Commission on Monday unanimously approved moving forward with the Harbor Lighthouse Park plan, despite concerns from nearby residents and the planning commission’s recommendation to further review materials.

After concerns were expressed over Mayor Fred Stonehouse, who is also the president of the Maritime Museum Board of the Directors, being able to vote on the park, City Attorney Ron Keefe said he didn’t believe there to be a conflict of interest and told Stonehouse he did not have to abstain from voting.

The project is estimated to cost between $1.6 million and $2.3 million, and consists of eradicating Coast Guard Road, a dirt road that currently sees vehicle, foot and bicycle traffic; extending Arch Street to be used as the park’s main point of entrance; paving a parking area; and more.

Initially, a nearby multiuse path was to be relocated between the Coast Guard station and an abandoned sewage pump house. However, the Michigan State Historic Preservation Office, or SHPO, rejected the plan after deeming the pump house historic, stating it could not be torn down or moved.

City administrators also made the rock outcropping between the former station house and storage barn off limits, as well as cutting down trees that have been located there for over 100 years.

The commission held a work session last fall to determine where the pathway should be placed after SHPO turned down the plan. In turn, the city’s community development department and engineer was directed to reroute the path to Coast Guard Road, closing it to vehicular traffic.

Nearby residents have adamantly opposed the idea of closing Coast Guard Road.

Lois Kampe, who lives on the corner of East Michigan Street and Coast Guard Road, said the project will eliminate access to her home as the city plans to reroute her driveway, hinder the flow of traffic and cause even more congestion near McCarty’s Cove, a popular beach area.

“The road is part of this historical property and should be maintained. Our homes are over 150 years old and a part of this history,” Kampe said. “This whole plan has not been well thought-out and there seems to be a rush. I’m curious who the people are demanding that the property be developed immediately. Taxpayers are not in favor of spending millions on this project.”

City Manager Mike Angeli said there’s a rush because the money has already been bonded out and the administration wants to get moving on the bidding process to lock in a contractor for the summer.

Last year, the commission voted in favor of reallocating $1 million into a fund for the lighthouse project. The money was initially to be spent on reconstructing College Avenue.

The planning commission, which rejected the plan at a meeting earlier this month, expressed concern over the proposed parking lot. Planning Commissioner Sarah Mittlefehdlt said the city should be thinking long-term, in the next 20-plus years, and how erosion would impact the parking lot. The planning commission turned down the plan after listening to numerous concerns by residents over the course of several meetings.

City Commissioner Jenna Smith said a difficult part of the job is to do what’s best for the majority.

“When we went through the five-year planning process of the Parks and Rec Master Plan, the top priority was trails and paved-biking trails,” she said. “I do think the plan is safe and financially responsible.”

She said moving forward with the plan will give tourists and residents a chance to truly enjoy the “gem” of property along the lakeshore.

Ellen Weingarten, the new chairwoman of the Marquette Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, said the board has reviewed all materials and approves the plan as is.

Martha Fitzgerald of East Michigan Street said she’s lived in the area since the early 1980s and is looking forward to the property being turned into a park.

“I feel like I’ve waited my whole adult life for it to become a city park and that my neighbors on my side of Lakeshore (Boulevard) hope it’ll be a park that people feel welcome to visit,” she said. “I like the plan as it’s been moved, (but) I understand the argument against it, with the bike path going where Coast Guard Road is.”

The Harbor Lighthouse property that rests along Lake Superior shoreline was deeded to the city from the Coast Guard in July 2016.

Among the parcel are four structures, including the red historic lighthouse, a captain’s residence, a Coast Guard station and storage garage. Most of the structures were built in the late 1800s with the lighthouse being the oldest, dating back to 1866.

Jaymie Depew can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 206.