A Safe Home for Veterans
A RECENT GUEST COLUMNIST in the Mining Journal questioned the wisdom of building the new Jacobetti Home for Veterans at the former Cliffs-Dow site on Lakeshore Boulevard. The author’s objections… that you shouldn’t build a vets home on contaminated ground, are representative of a considerable number of Marquette residents.
The history of industrial work at the site goes back to 1902 with the production of charcoal, used in the manufacture of pig iron, as well as a range of chemical by-products including acetic acid, calcium acetate, wood alcohol, and ethyl alcohol. The plant ceased operations in 1969.
As you might imagine, environmental regulations back in the 30’s weren’t quite what they are today, and a lot of the waste from the production of those products ended up in the ground, just yards from Lake Superior.
Those who have lived here for more than a few years may remember when they dug up and removed a lot of the contaminated dirt. You may remember it because it stunk up the whole town. If there was any doubt about any residual contamination, our noses confirmed it.
Fast forward to today when the State of Michigan is looking at the property for the location of their new home for vets, replacing the current facility on Fisher Street. The deal, if it happens, will involve a land swap with the city… we’ll get the building and the property on Fisher and the state will get the Lakeshore property.
Aesthetically, you couldn’t ask for a better place to provide housing for veterans. Take away the contamination, and you’ve got some of the city’s most desirable property. Alas… that pesky contamination.
I reached out to a Veterans Administration representative to find out what plans are in place to deal with what many feel are unacceptable conditions for human housing. I heard back from Ryan Engle, Director of Development and Strategic Engagement for Michigan Veteran Homes.
“We certainly value and respect the opinions of all involved in this process – which means each and every person who has any interest or involvement in the replacement of the Jacobetti: veterans, their family members, community members, Yoopers at large, etc. There’s a voice for each, as we’re servants of the public.”
Engle continues, “The environmental review process for the site is currently underway, and when completed the results will be available for public review. If MVH were to move forward with the portion of the Cliffs-Dow site as the intended site for a future Veterans Home, it would require approval by both EGLE and the US Dept. of Veterans Affairs. In summary, there are many autonomous entities examining this process, and transparent due diligence is being conducted.
“We’ve created a webpage that has lots of information about the project, as well as FAQs. That webpage can be found here.”
Do I think the department responsible for the safe and secure housing of our veterans will cut corners and put some of our most valuable and vulnerable citizens in harm’s way? No, I don’t.
Do I think the general public will accept, wholeheartedly, the assurances of the governmental institution responsible for veterans care if they decide to go ahead with the new facility at the Cliffs-Dow site? No, I don’t.
According to Engle, many of the employees of Michigan Veteran Homes are themselves veterans. I have to believe that if the environmental assessments find the site unsuitable, those veterans, many of them decision-makers at MVH, will do the right thing and look elsewhere for their new home.
A Spark for Arts and Parks
MORE SPECIFICALLY… the state Department of Natural Resources has awarded the city of Marquette $458,800 from the Michigan Spark Grants Program for the redevelopment of the former home of the Lake Superior Community Partnership. Funds are also earmarked for improvements to the surrounding park space.
Since the LSCP moved into the Kaufman Block downtown, their previous quarters have been vacant, sitting idle between two city parks… the Father Marquette Park and the Lions Lakeside Park.
Yes… there are two parks there. Small but purposeful, these parks that flank the old chamber building serve, or hopefully will serve, as a welcome to the city, along with the new home of the Marquette Arts and Culture Office. At least that’s the tentative plan.
Arts and Culture, in case you’re not familiar, currently occupies office space in the basement of the Peter White Public Library. Though somewhat out of sight, and consequently often out of mind, the center is a vital driver of our active arts community. Additionally, their library space includes a work/meeting area as well as the Deo Gallery, both active and important accommodations to area artists.
Details are yet to be finalized, but word on the street is that once the building has been brought back up to speed, the Arts and Culture Office will relocate there. Additionally, the building will serve as a trailhead for a cultural experience, as well as several area trail systems.
Sounds like a good way to repurpose an old structure, as well as a very visible piece of property, at the gateway to downtown. Questions remain, however, about the future of the adjacent parks.
To the north of the building, and anchored by the Father Marquette statue, is Father Marquette Park. It’s a pleasant little area, currently in need of some TLC. Work has been done over time to keep the statue in good repair, and various groups, like the Marquette Beautification Committee, have periodically pitched in on landscaping.
On the lake side of the building, up the hill from Lakeshore Boulevard, is a garden area dedicated to the memory of the late Karl Zueger, who had served as Assistant City Manager, prior to his passing in 2018.
To the south is Lions Lakeside Park. Understated and underutilized, Lions Lakeside Park is the pride of the Marquette Lions Club. The park represents the site of the club’s first meeting, held there in October of 1919. Yes… 1919. The Marquette club was the first registered Lions Club in Michigan.
Since 1982 the Lions have maintained the park space under the city’s Adopt-a-Park program. They’ve also proposed improvements, but competing interests, as well as indefinite plans for the property, have seemingly held up city approvals.
The Lions know that changes to the building and its purpose may have an impact on how they’re able to proceed. Mary Rule, Chairperson of the Marquette Lions Lakeside Park Committee, indicated the club is ready, willing, and able to work with the city and their plans for the property.
“We know there are a number of influences on this building being considered. We’ve been advised that with the development of the building it would require an expansion of the parking area which will diminish the size of Marquette Lions Lakeside Park.”
Can the city find a way to satisfy the different entities, like the Lions Club, who are de facto stakeholders in the property? We’ve seen how service clubs can make valuable contributions, like what the Rotary Club of Marquette did for the Hurley Park Playground. When you have the Marquette Lions Club, generously offering their time, talent, and money… the community would be well served to take advantage of that.
You’d hope the club’s history at that location… more than 100 years, would count for something.