Board approves land transfer for assisted living facility

Steps are being made in an initiative to bring a new assisted living facility to Negaunee.

The Marquette County Board of Commissioners approved a land transfer from the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority to the Hinkson Negaunee Properties at its meeting Tuesday night.  The move will allow for the creation of an assisted living facility in Negaunee.

The property is located on Water Street on a former mine site, which made it challenging to get the parcel ready for development.

“Some of the biggest costs involved are infrastructure, putting in a new road and the utilities being extended to the building and the cost of those items is going to be paid for through Brownfield tax increment financing,” Marquette County treasurer Anne Giroux said.

Many believe the facility is greatly needed in the western half of Marquette County.

“This is a great project for the city of Negaunee and this is going to create jobs and a tax base,” Marquette County Board commissioner Paul Arsenault said.  “It’s fantastic, and not only form the development side of it, but it’s much needed for the west end of the county.”

“To be able to use Brownfield tools to help someone develop a site that maybe isn’t in green condition and easy to develop on, that’s really what Brownfield’s all about so in that regard it’s a great opportunity for us to get involved,” Giroux said.

Construction is expected to start in the next few weeks.  The facility is expected to be finished by 2015.