NORTHERN MICHIGAN | General Developments

[deja vu]

I've been slacking a lot on keeping this thread updated. I scrolled through the project rundown and found a lot of things needing an update. I'm not sure if anyone even looks at this thread. It's just been an occasional side-hobby of mine, to try and keep aware of other things happening in a less-discussed (but no-less interesting) part of the state. Anyway, in no particular order, I've started working on a few updates -

Charlevoix -

The May Street housing development was completed sometime in 2021 -


Source: Zillow

Mackinac Island -

The $10 million renovation to the Grand Hotel's Esther Williams pool was completed in spring of 2021 -








Source: Grand Hotel

Leland -

The Leland Public School 2018 bond project was completed in June 2021. It incorporated renovations and an addition to the district's ~ 153,000 SF, K-12 school building. Design by Kalamazoo-based TowerPinkster. Constructed by Kalamazoo-based Miller-Davis -












Source: TowerPinkster

Grayling -

Bad news in Grayling about the proposed Sawmill Lofts project which, after a September 2021 groundbreaking ceremony, was put on-hold "due to financial reasons". Per this May 2022 article, the empty lot was going to be graded and seeded -


Source: MCC

Curtis -

the new, ~ $1.65 million performing arts facility at the Erickson Center for the Arts was completed in May 2021. I searched but can't find any good finished photos of this one, so here's a rendering again -


Source: ECA / Blomquist Architects

Honor -

The 8-unit Honor Village Apartments project is finished, or close to finished, based on this photo from May, when the governor visited the site. Nothing super sexy here, but it has been heralded as much-needed housing for the area, funded by a ~ 1/2 million MCRP grant -


Source: Manistee News Advocate

Lastly, I found this recent article by a self-described "old curmudgeon who lives in Harrisville and draws the cartoons in this paper". It gave me a laugh, and it is about the proposed Michigan Launch Initiative. The project still has legs, but it really feels like an uphill battle, given the demographics and lack of interest of residents of the locations in question -

Waiting for the space station
Eric Paul Roorda | The Alpena News / Up North Now
August 20, 2022

[deja vu]

Charlevoix / Beaver Island -

New $17.5M Beaver Island ferry to be built
Justine Lofton | MLive
August 19, 2022

CHARLEVOIX, MI – A new Beaver Island passenger ferry is expected to be built in the next three to five years after the state of Michigan budgeted $14 million for the vessel, officials said.

“We’re excited about the $14 million,” said Tim McQueer, general manager of Beaver Island Boat Company. “It recognizes water transportation as part of the state’s infrastructure.”

The remaining $3.5 million is not yet accounted for; it could come from the company, grants or other sources, he said. Additionally, the $17.5 million figure could change. There is a design for the boat, but a study is being conducted to determine the propulsion system, which could be full-electric, diesel-electric or some other configuration...

[seabee1526]

https://grandvillasofpetoskey.com/

[deja vu]

Originally Posted by seabee1526

https://grandvillasofpetoskey.com/

Appreciate you sharing this - I haven't gotten around to updates for the Petoskey area yet. I did a little sleuthing, and found this Facebook post from Sept. 28, 2021 that reads "breaking ground this fall..." so presumably it is well under construction by now, though I haven't found any construction photos or current news articles about it (yet)...

[seabee1526]

Originally Posted by deja vu

Appreciate you sharing this - I haven't gotten around to updates for the Petoskey area yet. I did a little sleuthing, and found this Facebook post from Sept. 28, 2021 that reads "breaking ground this fall..." so presumably it is well under construction by now, though I haven't found any construction photos or current news articles about it (yet)...

Shame about all the public outcry for all the Petoskey Pit proposals. I thought they looked nice.

[deja vu]

Originally Posted by seabee1526

Shame about all the public outcry for all the Petoskey Pit proposals. I thought they looked nice.

I found this website, which contains just an insane amount of history and details about various places and things in Northern Michigan, including The Pit (and it's many failed proposals and political / financial drama surrounding them). You could scroll for hours and days through the different topics on this site.

These two comparison photos are particularly striking. First image is from October 1936. Second is from March 2019, from the same vantage point -


Source: Northern Mich~Mash Preserve / Virtual Motor City, Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University


Source: Northern Mich~Mash Preserve / Charles Dawley

[deja vu]

Boyne Falls (Boyne Valley Township) -

While updating the project rundown, I stumbled across this unique project, underway at Boyne Mountain Resort. Named SkyBridge Michigan, when complete, it will be "the world's longest timer-towered suspension bridge". You can find a lot of info on the resort's website, including several Youtube videos, a live construction camera, and progress photos. It is modeled on the Gatlinburg SkyBridge at sister Gatlinburg SkyLift Park in Tennessee. Both were designed by Hawaii-based Experiential Resources.

The project reached a big milestone this past May, when all four timber-framed anchoring towers were raised and placed. Pretty cool that they sourced the lumber locally as well. It is scheduled to open this fall -

Overhead photos show Boyne Mountain’s new SkyBridge construction rising high
Tanda Gmiter | MLive
May 16, 2022

2021 rendering -

Source: MLive | Provided by Boyne Mountain Resort

Photos from May 2022 -





Source: MLive | Provided by Boyne Mountain Resort

• Video Link

It looks like they've got a few upgrades going, including airport renovations and a new ski lift, all under the heading of Renaissance 2.0 -

• Video Link

[deja vu]

Iron Mountain -

A 95-room TownePlace Suites by Marriott is under construction at the location of this retro motor lodge. The $16 million project broke ground this spring in downtown Iron Mountain, which has been seeing a bit of a resurgence. Marquette-based real estate developer Veridea Group is partnering with local wealthy man David Brule Jr. on the development -

95-room, all-suite hotel planned in downtown Iron Mountain
TV6 News Team
October 6, 2021

Source: TV 6 News | Veridea Group

[deja vu]

Traverse City -

Commongrounds Cooperative is wrapping up construction this fall. These photos are a little out-of-date now (from April 2022), but they give a good sense of the presence that this building has (not to mention it's recently-completed neighbor, West Shore Bank) along the river -


Source: v


Source: Facebook | Commongrounds Cooperative


Source: Facebook | Commongrounds Cooperative

[deja vu]

East Bay Township -

There are at least five hotel proposals in the works for this township just east of Traverse City. The latest one is a 74-foot, 143-unit extended-stay Hyatt House hotel, intended to built on US-31 between the Hampton Inn and Traverse City State Park (a site where several other plans have fallen through over the years) -

East Bay Township Approves New Hyatt House Hotel
Beth Milligan | The Ticker
June 8, 2022

Source: The Ticker

The other four hotels are a Staybridge Suites, Residence Inn, The Alexandra Inn, and Avid Hotel -

Staybridge Suites (general location), proposed -
<no rendering available>

Residence Inn, (general location) proposed -

Source: The Ticker

Alexandra Inn (2227 US-31), under construction -

Source: The Alexandra Inn

Demolition of a former Wendy's wrapped up at the start of August, to make way for the new four-story, 92-unit Avid Hotel (general location), proposed -

Source: The Ticker

Traverse City -

Meanwhile, while updating the project rundown, I learned that the hotel that is planned for the open space at 211 and 221 W. Grandview Parkway (next to the Hotel Indigo) will be a 4-story Marriott -


Source: The Ticker

All of this hotel construction in the area reflects the confidence that the industry has in the local tourist economy.

[deja vu]

I'm close to getting all of the projects in the rundown updated & current (to the best of my ability). Thanks for your patience everyone

TBH, the Traverse City projects are a big pain to update. There's just so many projects and proposals there, for it being such a small town. It's hard to keep track of them all, due in no small part to the newer zoning rules, because a lot of them start to look the same. Every time I search for one, I discover about three more. And there are a lot of cancelled or modified projects for the same site, that keep changing or delaying over time. The news coverage for developments are either paywalled, scant on useful info, or so detailed and simultaneously chaotic (looking at you, Traverse City Ticker) that it is hard to glean the basic, relevant facts.

Anyway, while I'm sure I'm still missing some things, I'm adding a few more projects to the Traverse City section, listed below. All of these developments are by Socks Construction. I have not verified the status of any of these yet, apart from what is listed on their website -

Cypress
705 Cypress St.
12,000 SF, 3 stories, 15 residential units
Estimated completion: July 2022



Modern State (Phase 2)
222 State St.
9,000 SF, 3 stories, 8 residential units + 2 commercial units
Estimated completion: October 2022



Acqua
714 Randolph St.
21,000 SF, 4 stories, 12 residential units
Estimated completion: January 2023



Pine / State Development
(general location)
TBD SF, 3 Buildings, 6 stories max., 73 residential units
Proposed; projected set date Q3 2022



Gillis Street
(general location)
35,000 SF, 9 buildings, 3 stories ea., 39 residential units
Completed June 2022



902 Front Street
902 E. Front St.
10,400 SF, 3 stories, 8 residential units + 1 commercial unit
Completed February 2022



SNL Luxury Condos
708 Randolph St.
21,000 SF, 4 stories, 12 residential units + 2 commercial units
Completed December 2021



Windward
613 Randolph St.
23,000 SF, 3 stories, 10 residential units + 4 commercial units
Completed 2019



Capri
E. Eighth St.
33,600 SF, 48 short-term rental units
Completed 2018


Source: Socks Construction

[deja vu]

I made a few some more updates to the Traverse City rundown today. All completed projects -

539 Bay Street, completed November 2020
539 Bay St.
4 stories, 15 condo units

Source: apartmentfinder.com

Blue Water Crossing / Condos, completed February 2019
(general location - right next-door to CitySide Lofts)
3 stories, 9 residential units

Source: Sterling Properties

CitySide Lofts, completed late 2019
(general location)
3 stories, 16 units

Source: airbnb

[deja vu]

Elk Rapids -

The Elk Lake Inn is a proposed 17-unit hotel for a vacant site at 112 Dexter Street in downtown Elk Rapids. It would be the first "formal" lodging option in this popular lakeside destination. I don't think it's under construction yet, but it's hard to tell with some of these more remote projects -

New Inn Proposed For Downtown Elk Rapids
Beth Milligan | The Ticker
November 23, 2021

Source: Socks Construction

[deja vu]

Frankfort -

I'm not sure if this one took off yet. Last year, a 3-story workforce housing project with 30 studio apartments was proposed for the site of an unused Lions Club clubhouse on the east end of downtown, at 1290 Main Street. Construction was scheduled to begin in spring 2022 -

Demolition of unused Lions Club clubhouse part of Frankfort housing project
Colin Merry | Record Patriot
July 24, 2021

Source: Design Elemental Studio

[Rizzo]

This is some good design for workforce housing because I realize there will be greater budget constraints. I’d actually say this looks a lot more competent than the market rate stuff clad in siding and hardieboard panels

[deja vu]

Originally Posted by Rizzo

This is some good design for workforce housing because I realize there will be greater budget constraints. I’d actually say this looks a lot more competent than the market rate stuff clad in siding and hardieboard panels

Agreed - it looks like a smart addition for Frankfort. Good density without appearing too out-of-place.

Acme (Township) -

I just came across this pretty ambitious development, which is underway along Acme Creek, just east of Traverse City. Dubbed "KOTI" (Finnish for "home"), the mixed-use development was initially unveiled in 2017 and then delayed by the pandemic, before finally breaking ground in summer 2021. It will include around 76 residential units (both condos and rentals) as well as two different commercial zones. From the designer's (Influence Design Forum's) website -

KOTI is a walkable, northern Michigan residential development with quality luxury condominiums and vacation rentals. It includes two proposed mixed-use commercial neighborhoods that will feature small shops and restaurants that support not only the resort, but also the local community. Located on Acme Creek and just minutes from downtown Traverse City, KOTI is an ideal destination for getaways, family vacations, reunions and sporting events.

There are various sizes of individual small homes to choose from, all designed and planned in a park-like setting. The development will include a hierarchy of streets designed in a neighborhood fashion with streetlights, trees and sidewalks. KOTI will be family-friendly and community-minded, provide engaging experiences, recreational opportunities, and leisure-time activities including shopping and dining out.

Source: IDF

[deja vu]

Some more updates to the rundown. Most of these are all slightly older projects -

Ludington -

I found a decent completed photo of 225 Ludington. This mixed-use project was completed along with its sister building (200 Loomis) in late 2019. Both buildings are 4 stories, ~ 40,000 SF, with a combined total of 60 apartment units -


Source: Rockford Construction

Ludington also completed a long-envisioned plaza project in June 2021. "Legacy Plaza", as it is called, was originally conceived in the 1980's. With the help of a $2.1 million state grant, it brings a renovated outdoor gathering space and a new farmers market pavilion to North James Street, right in the heart of downtown Ludington -




Source: Visit Ludington


Source: Downtown Ludington | Prein & Newhof

And now there's news that the city has been awarded $500K to help cover the costs of planned alley improvements between S. Rath Ave. and S James St., south of Ludington Ave.

Ludington gets $500,863 grant for downtown alley overhaul
Justin Cooper | Ludington Daily News
September 8, 2022

Source: Ludington Daily News

Completed in late 2021,



Negaunee Township -

The MRCC Marquette Apprentice Training Center opened its new building in August of last year. The 34,000 SF facility provides training space for union carpenters and millwrights, similar to other centers in Detroit, Saginaw, Wayland, and Grayling. It is positioned about halfway between Marquette and Negaunee, (370 US Highway 41 East) -


Source: Byce & Associates, Inc.

[deja vu]

Traverse City -

Demolition of the former bank branch at the corner of Union and State Streets started almost 2 months ago, to make way for Rotary Square. With the aid of $3 million in grants, the long-envisioned public square is one step closer to a reality. The design is still TBD -

Demolition Makes Way for Rotary Square Project in Downtown Traverse City
Bill Froehlich, Josh Monroe | 9 & 10 News
August 1, 2022

Source: 9 & 10 News

November 2021 aerial view -

Source: The Ticker

[deja vu]

Superior Township (near Brimley) -

Bay Mills Resort & Casino is planning a $65 million expansion that would include a three-story waterfront resort expansion with 134 additional rooms -

$65 million expansion coming to Upper Peninsula casino in 2023
Brandon Champion | MLive
September 30, 2022

Source: MLive | Bay Mills Casino & Resort

[DetroitMan]

ELMWOOD TOWNSHIP-
Traverse City Whiskey Co. to repurpose abandoned Cherry Growers Co-Op for $20M headquarters

Traverse City Whiskey Co. plans to overhaul the abandoned Cherry Growers Co-Op facility into its new headquarters, a $20 million investment that’s expected to create 100 jobs, officials announced.

“We’re thrilled to break ground on this incredible new facility and are grateful to the state of Michigan for investing in our future, which will allow us to expand operations and exclusively produce our award-winning whiskey right here in our hometown of Traverse City,” said Chris Fredrickson, Co-Founder and President, TCWC.

https://www.mlive.com/news/2022/10/t...dquarters.html