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Commission OKs plans for new beer, food vendor spot in historic train depot building

A rendering of the plan for the historic train depot building along Fifth Street in Marquette is shown. It will be remodeled into the Back Lot, which will feature outdoor seating areas, serve beer and bring in food vendors. (Rendering courtesy of Barry J. Polzin Architects Inc.)

MARQUETTE — A new use is on tap for a historic building in downtown Marquette.

The Marquette City Planning Commission at its most recent meeting assessed and approved a site plan for 200 S. Fifth St. in Marquette. The historic train depot building along Fifth Street will be remodeled and named the Back Lot.

The plan was presented by 484 Bennaville LLC and Barry J. Polzin Architects Inc.

“The concept of Back Lot is it’s a big open interior space that serves beer and brings in food vendors, food trucks, and has a big outdoor space for drinking outdoors and eating outdoors. The bike path is a perfect complement to this whole function,” architect Barry Polzin said.

The building will feature a rooftop patio, solar panels on the roof and a new parking lot. There will also be bike parking outside of the building. In addition, there will be three kitchens inside that food vendors can rent for the winter months.

The original plan featured a duplex to be built near the Back Lot.

However, according to codes set by the fire department, there would not be a big enough space in that area for a fire truck to turn around in an emergency. The duplex was ultimately pulled from the proposal. David Meikle of 484 Bennaville LLC said he would like to proceed with the duplex plan if something could be worked out with the fire department.

Two Back Lot locations already exist, one in Petoskey and another in Charlevoix.

The Marquette City Planning Commission approved the site plan Tuesday with the condition that an amended plan is submitted to meet all staff comments.

“I think it’s a great reuse of property that has been underutilized,” commissioner Michael Larson said.

Taylor Johnson can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 248. Her email address is tjohnson@miningjournal.net.

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