Houghton takes a step forward toward redevelopment of 902 College Avenue. Last night the city approved the project’s purchase agreement, allowed variances that will enhance the residential side of the development, and retained a small section of the lot for potential road reconfiguration.
For close to two years the city has worked with UP State Bank and the Portage Land Company, through Moyle Construction, with pre-development work in preparation for the Upper Peninsula’ short construction season. Within the last year, the city granted the lot special zoning in anticipation of a commercial bank branch taking over the Hodge building where the Chamber of Commerce resides, as well as a 32-unit condo and rental housing development. The special zoning combined the lots of the Hodge Building and the site of a 2022 apartment explosion.
Houghton will retain a small section of the lot at 902 College Avenue. City Manager Eric Waara says the city will look at how to reconfigure traffic routes for Franklin Square. /Lake Street and Carroll Street right of way for better traffic flow. The intersection’s location near downtown and odd shape creates a unique challenge for motorists attempting to cross Shelden/College/Montezuma Avenues, south toward residential areas of the city, from Franklin Street. The potential reconfiguration would also look to more clearly separate the city’s public parking and the National Park Service parking in the area just north of 902 College Avenue.
(Houghton will) retain some city property on the north side for the street and for some sewer lines and a little bit of that wonky little corner down there on the right side is to allow us to make the curve on the street there. If we do have to relocate the street over a little bit, we have room to make that curve. – Eric Waara, City Manager, City of Houghton
UP State Bank and the Portage Land Company will purchase 902 College Avenue for 440,000 dollars. Houghton will encourage the residential development to move quickly by requiring the project to start within a year of UP State Bank’s work on the Hodge Building. If all works out the housing developments will include underground parking for residents. By using the lot’s terrain to the developer’s advantage Moyle Construction will create two towers with a throughway between College Avenue and Carroll Street. The resident would enter the parking facility via Carroll Street on the north side of the property.
So to start the process to eventually close the sale of this property for redevelopment, which we’ve been working on for close to two years now in some form or fashion, the first thing would be the lot split. And again, the Planning Commission last night recommended this lot split to the City Council. – Eric Waara
While not typically within the planning commission’s purview commissioners recommended approval of variances for the development to the Zoning Board of Appeals and Council. Waara asked the commission on Tuesday to consider recommending the variances, purchase agreement, and lot split due to how quickly the project will need to work through the pre-development process to begin work as soon as possible. The city council approved the 440,000-dollar purchase agreement, lot split, and variances.
Moyle Construction will return to City Hall in April to meet with the planning commission and the council to review site plans. While speaking with commissioners Tuesday night the developers said the development expects to start as soon as possible and will work with the city to create a gateway to downtown.
