Heavy equipment is used to raze the condemned building at 401 W. Washington St., Marquette, to make way for a new multi-story, multi-use structure. (Mining Journal photo by Bud Sargent)

MARQUETTE — Demolition on the former Northern Hydroponics located at 401 W. Washington St., Marquette, started this week as plans proceed for a multi-story, multi-use redevelopment at the site.

Passersby observed heavy equipment pulling down the structure, which has been condemned and unused since being damaged by a storm in 2023. Trucks hauled off scrap building materials for the landfill.

Overall, the redevelopment will cost an estimated $4.3 million with a significant portion of the financing coming from two separate areas: a $1.1 million loan through the state Brownfield authority law with funds to be repaid over 20 years under a tax incremental financing schedule; and $1.5 million in the form of a grant from the state’s Revitalization and Placemaking program which provides gap financing for place-based infrastructure development, real estate rehabilitation and development and public space improvements.

The redevelopment will contain 11 residential units, retail space and an indoor parking area. Ownership is split between Midwest Construction Group and 401 W. Washington LLC. The housing focus will be on workforce housing.