Forestville is a new residential community that would be located initially on about 160 acres of Longyear-owned property in Marquette. The site plan highlights the five phases of development. (Graphic courtesy of Longyear)

By Journal Staff

MARQUETTE — Longyear has announced plans for Forestville, a residential community that it said will bring higher-quality new homes to outdoor-active people that access Marquette, and Michigan’s largest all-season trail network.

The neighborhood, the company said in a news release, will feature “thoughtfully built homes” using regional forest products crafted into modern U.P. lifestyle floor plans. Forestville will unveil housing designs and neighborhood plans late this year, and begin taking reservations in spring 2023 for move-in in 2024.

Longyear said Forestville offers features that are distinct from other Midwest housing developments:

≤ immediate access to the adjacent trail networks and waterways;

≤environment-friendly construction featuring locally sourced materials from regional forests;

≤ a variety of housing options for active young professionals, families, retirees and others ranging from townhomes to single-family homes;

≤ an active neighborhood concept that inspires healthy living, comfort and environmental stewardship; and

≤ hundreds of construction jobs throughout the project’s lifespan.

“Forestville has been inspired by the active people of the U.P. who love spending time outdoors in our beautiful natural surroundings,” Longyear CEO Steve Hicks said in a news release. “Our community will offer high quality, thoughtfully designed homes in a neighborhood that gives people the escape they deserve.”

In development since 2021, Longyear said Forestville is driven by the substantial demand for housing in the region, combined with the significant increase in active, outdoor-minded consumers. The project was undertaken as a way to address a growing U.P. trend — housing shortages.

Two independent studies by InvestUP and Michigan Technological University found that the lack of available housing is both a significant challenge and the region’s greatest opportunity to retain and attract professionals and retirees to the area, according to Longyear.

Hicks noted that green space and a low environmental impact have been, and remain, important considerations in Longyear’s approach to designing the project for future customers.

“Longyear’s plan is to preserve 50 percent — a substantial portion of the property — as non-developable green space,” Hicks said. “We’re collaborating with our professional team and some key stakeholders to design our community to have the least possible amount of environmental impact.”

Forestville will be located initially on roughly 160 acres of Longyear-owned property in Marquette Township. Longyear has owned property in the Forestville area for more than 125 years, and has provided the community with free recreational access to the land for decades.

“The trails are a treasured asset for our whole community,” Hicks said. “We’re pleased that so many people have enjoyed the trails on Longyear land over the years. Forestville gives us an opportunity to work with the trail networks to strategically plan more recreation opportunities for future generations to enjoy.”

During the estimated five years it will take to complete the Forestville project, Longyear will create more than 100 additional family sustaining jobs and provide a new substantial tax base within Marquette Township.

To learn more about Forestville, visit www.liveforestville.com or contact Alysa Arwood at alysaarwood@jmlongyear.com.

Longyear indicated that the Forestville neighborhood will embrace the surrounding Noquemanon Trail Network and provide outdoor-active residents with immediate access to adjacent public trails and waterways.

The property is located mostly between Forestville Road and the Dead River Basin.