Blight, we hear a lot about it in recent years and we are not just talking about a botanical disease. In fact, a lot has been said about abandonded, unused properties and how municipalities across the Upper Peninsula should deal with them.

While the buildings that make up the former hospital on College Avenue in Marquette certainly have not been officially been designated as blight, but it could find it’s way into that category soon enough.

Something needs to be done with the property, which still houses a few dozen employees in the Neldberg Building.

A movement, of sorts, started about a year ago. The Northern Michigan University Foundation, a 501 (c) 3 organization independent of NMU itself was contacted by a third party about the property.

And while NMUF has not yet officially taken possession of the property, it has made the critical step of inviting local and state leaders to the table and working with them toward a mutual goal, to demolish the former UPHS hospital and create badly-needed housing opportunities, a possible performing arts center and mixed use buildings that will provide apartments and space for retail activity.

But it’s not just political leaders and those who hold the purse strings who have been invited to the table. NMUF held two public information sessions this year where they gathered community feedback about how the project could make Marquette a better place to live work and play.

Before holding the forums, NMUF put out a request for qualifications to developers around the country to see if there was one that was qualified to take on the project.

Local developer, Veridea, answered that call, and was approved by the NMUF board, although, again, nothing is set in stone.

The project has been slowed down by a letter, written by state Rep. Sara Cambensy, D-Marquette. Cambensy requested that the state attorney general to look into the process and some of the players.

“Conflict of interest” allegations are just one part of the multi-layered request, that you might say has become a blight on the whole situation.

The AG declined to look into the matter, but left the door open for concerned residents to contact her office.

Veridea celebrated the decision.

“We now look forward to returning our focus to pursuing the successful redevelopment of this vitally important community project,” it said in a statement.

Cambensy says she is looking for transparency, whereas foundation officials have said process has been as above-board as it can be. The two sides seem to be at an impasse, but they are communicating a common goal.

They each want what’s best for the Marquette community and those who live and work here.

As a general proposition, we see this project as a good thing for our city, and we hope the two sides can come together, and for those asking questions, that they get the answers they seek.