MARQUETTE — Monday’s Marquette City Commission meeting saw the panel approve a letter to be sent to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel regarding the former Marquette General Hospital site redevelopment.

The letter is in response to state Rep. Sara Cambensy’s recent letter to Nessel that expressed concerns of a possible conflict of interest and misuse of state and local funding regarding the sale and future plans of the old hospital site. UP Health System-Marquette has a pending agreement with the Northern Michigan University Foundation to sell the 23-acre property for $1.

The letter sent in response by the commission begins by citing the plans for demolition that the city of Marquette had for the property.

“The demolition of the buildings and redevelopment of the site has been a standing strategic priority for the city,” the letter states, adding that the topic has regularly been brought up in public meetings and is even subject to a special subcommittee of the Marquette City Commission.

The commission also cited the financial efforts being made to reduce expenses and fund the demolition.

Efforts include approving an Act 381 brownfield plan to reimburse demolition and public infrastructure costs related to the preparation of the site for redevelopment. The cost accrued would further be reduced by the city’s pursuit of grant money from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation under a Community Development Block Grant.

“We are confident in the transparency and due diligence that has been brought to this project through public processes and encourage your office to conduct a fair and speedy review of the spurious assertions that have been made,” the letter reads.

“Therefore, the Marquette City Commission states their strong continued support for the use of state and local funding for the demolition of the former Marquette General Hospital.”

Brennan White can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 248. His email address is bwhite@miningjournal.net.