Craig Cugini, city manager, city of Ishpeming

ISHPEMING — The Ishpeming Downtown Development Authority on Monday approved a brownfield plan for The Mather to build a two-story parking garage for the community and tenants at The Mather to use that would improve parking in the city.

The Mather co-owner Bill Anderson said that the two-story parking garage would not have overnight parking for visitors due to winter season regulations but would be available for the public and library visitors to use.

“We have no problem leaving it open for the public, especially with the parking contraint that the library has,” Anderson said.

Additionally, the project would obtain an Energy Star certification, with plans to install electric charging stations in the parking garage. When completed it would be the first station in Ishpeming or Negaunee.

“We (the city) are in support of the enhancement it brings to the library in addition to what it would do for the DDA in the city,” City Manager Craig Cugini said.

During Monday’s meeting, Anderson said that Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library Director Jessica Shirtz reported in 2018 the library had 36,000 visitors and in 2019 it had 35,000. Out of the 12 library parking spots the library, five are used by employees.

“There really isn’t any on-street parking for anybody there,” Anderson said.

Vice President and senior hydrogeologist Jeff Hawkins and brownfield project analyst Logan Mulholland from the professional consulting firm Fishbeck gave the DDA more in-depth information on The Mather’s brownfield plan, including eligible activities and estimated outcomes.

According to the proposed brownfield plan, the project would increase housing and work opportunities and increase the tax base of the city while preserving and restoring the grandeur of the historic Mather Inn.

Eligible activities include:

≤ Preapproved activities: Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment incurred by the Marquette Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, $3,000

≤ Infrastructure improvements: Underground parking structure with an elevator, $1,400

≤ Site demolition: Parking lot removal, fill, compaction, rough grading and soft costs, $145,000

≤ Site preparation: Retaining wall, staking, grading, demolition, temporary site control, soft costs and other activities as described by statute, $90,000

≤ Brownfield plan/work plan preparation incurred by the Marquette County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, $16,000

≤ 15% contingency, $245,000

In total, eligible activities would come out to about $1.9 million.

Estimated outcomes include:

≤ $3.2 million total investment

≤ 10 to 12 part-time jobs created, $250,000 estimated annual wages

≤ $95,010 initial taxable value

≤ $879,600 future taxable value

≤ 30 years of brownfield plan capture

≤ $33,000 authority administration fees

≤ $19,000 MCBRA-eligible costs

≤ $1,880,250 maximum amount of developer eligible activities

Of the $1,880,250, an estimated $1.3 million will be reimbursed to the developer, assuming the Michigan Economic Development Corporation work plan’s approval.

According to Fishbeck, the main purpose of the plan is to offset the project’s price gap but it is not expected to pay the entire cost gap.

DDA Chairman David Aeh expressed concern about how the parking structure would look. Aeh said that he didn’t want to see the structure become an “eyesore” in Ishpeming.

Blueprints showed that the parking structure would match the brick that The Mather currently has.

Aeh said he appreciated The Mather’s cooperation in allowing library patrons to park on its property.

“I think that it’s very nice of you to put all that investment in and to continue to even entertain for a second that you would allow the patrons of the Carnegie to continue parking there at all,” Aeh said.

The city council is expected to review and vote on The Mather’s brownfield plan today.

The DDA also approved two facade grants totaling $20,000 at Monday’s meeting.

Jackson Hardware was awarded $10,000 that will be used toward working on awning and window replacement.

JT Olson Woodworking was also awarded $10,000 and will use the grant funds toward the facade facing its front. The next DDA meeting is scheduled for May 22.

Dreyma Beronja can be reached at 906-228-2500 ext. 248. Their email address is dberonj@miningjournal.net.