By Journal Staff

NEGAUNEE — The city of Negaunee announced on Monday the completion of the Teal Lake Waterworks Building Special Advisory Committee’s work.

The committee completed the study of the old waterworks building located on Teal Lake.

The process included a review of the exterior and interior of the building, determined a reuse plan for the building and the grounds, while also estimating the scope and cost of the work to be done to rehabilitate and make the building ready for occupancy.

The committee presented its findings to the Negaunee City Council on Jan. 12.

The presentation included a history of the building and renderings of what the building will look like after the proposed rehabilitation project is complete.

The council has yet to decide on the plan, any decisions to be made at a later date.

“The property in question is encumbered by an agreement signed with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. This happened when the city was awarded a grant for a fishing dock located on the property in 1996,” Negaunee City Manager Nate Heffron said.

The city is locked into an agreement that guarantees the property will only be used for public recreational purposes.

The committee’s suggestions include renovating the building to be used as a historical welcome center that focuses on Teal Lake, Negaunee, the iron ore industry and the Indigenous inhabitants of the area. Other concerns, including parking, boat launch access and other safety concerns, will be addressed at a later date.

“I thank this committee for their hard work and professionalism they have put into this project. They have gone above and beyond, providing the city with a great product and have shown great potential for this historic building,” Heffron said.

The full report and the video can be found on the city of Negaunee website at https://www.cityofnegaunee.com/parks-recreation/pages/waterworks-building.