FOLKS ARE ALWAYS saying it’s tough to find good, affordable housing in Marquette.
In Munising, it may be worse.
“The housing situation is critical here,” says Mayor Rod Desjardins, “but the city is working with a developer from Detroit right now looking for a solution.”
The plans haven’t been firmed up yet and no money’s committed, but Desjardin’s hopeful they can work it out.
Two sites for apartments have been identified.
“These would be rental properties for all income levels,” Desjardins emphasizes. No doubt, he’s thinking of the controversy that’s erupted in Marquette over the recent building boom in high price condos and apartments, but virtually nothing for moderate income residents.
Munising’s experienced virtually no significant residential construction even though there’s been a surge in tourist visits in the last several years, and the opening of several new businesses in the last two years.
Workers for those businesses have frequently been shuttled in from Marquette because they can’t find housing in Munising.
New housing would mark a further step as the once sleepy little town of Munising revives itself.
Best evidence of the progress they’ve made: Ten years ago, according to Desjardins, during the town’s “Rekindle the Spirit” holiday celebration, only one store stayed open in the evening. This year, 22 stores joined in the fun.
Marquette’s very own wild man, “Surfer Dan” Schetter.
He, along with his surfboard and ice beard, is the poster boy for Merrell. Merrell, of course, recently put together a beautifully produced video on Dan.
The man’s fame is spreading.
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