Coast Guard Opens New Marquette Station

It’s a new beginning for Marquette’s U.S. Coast Guard station.

A dedication ceremony celebrates the opening of the new station and boathouse.

After working on the project for more than 2 years, the Coast Guard’s 16-person crew is moving into its new home, a 6,000-square-foot building.

Congressman Bart Stupak was on hand, and he says the new place is one of the first Department of Homeland Security facilities to earn the coveted Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design certification for green buildings.

The new station is named after Coast Guard Captain Henry Cleary, who was the old facility’s first-ever keeper back in 1890.

The Marquette station plays a critical role in preserving water safety in the U.P.

With the new home, many hope it will play a vital role in the area for another 100-plus years.

Marquette State Rep Steve Lindberg thinks it’s tremendous the Coast Guard has a high-tech new space, because in the mid-’90s there was talk of closing the old station and abandoning the city.

We were also able to speak with Congressman Stupak about health care reform.

We’ll have more about his thoughts on the subject tomorrow on UGN News.