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NEGAUNEE -- The city of Negaunee announced the adoption of its 2023-28 Master Plan on Tuesday.
According to the city's press release, a master plan is a long-range planning document that provides a "conceptual layout" to guide future growth and development.
The city and Central Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Region held several public meetings to gain feedback to create the plan. A community-wide survey with over 300 responses was also considered when formulating the plan.
Negaunee Planning and Zoning Administrator David Nelson said this new plan will be utilized to further the community's goals and will be updated yearly as those goals are met, according to the press release. He also encourages residents to review the plan and to "continually provide feedback, as this document is a living document, updated annually."
"We even sought out information from the younger residents of Negaunee as well by holding a few youth engagement opportunities," City Manager Nate Heffron said in the press release.
Last July, students from Negaunee schools participated in a survey asking about their favorite recreation spaces in the city, hobbies they enjoy and more. The youth survey also asked participants to draw their dream outdoor space.
The master plan is also the last step in becoming a certified Redevelopment Ready Community.
According to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation's website, the RRC program is "a program developed with best practices, determined by experts in the public and private sector … designed to create a predictable and straightforward experience for investors, businesses and residents working within a community."
"With this milestone reached, Negaunee is slated to become RRC certified later this fall," Heffron said. "This status opens new doors to new opportunities for Negaunee. Once certified, we will provide more information on these benefits."
According to the master plan, some of the city's goals include continuing to maintain and increase the general population of the city; attract and grow modern, light and small businesses and industries within the city; protect natural and environmentally sensitive areas with low impact approaches to development and redevelopment; and increase the stock of quality affordable, attainable and market-rate housing that meets the needs and incomes of the residents.
To read the full master plan, visit cityofnegaunee.com/home/news/negaunee-adopts-master-plan.
Any questions can be directed to Nelson at 906-475-7700, ext. 12.