WITH THE DEMOLITION AND CLEANUP of the former Marquette General Hospital nearing its conclusion, the initial steps are being taken to turn the site into the city’s newest residential neighborhood.
The word “transformational” has been used to describe what is about to happen to those 17 acres of prime real estate. The Veridea Group is responsible for the development, whatever it ends up being. We got the first look at what they have in mind for a part of the property with their presentation to the city Planning Commission Tuesday night.
The section that lies between 4th and Lee to the east and west, and Magnetic and Piqua to the north and south, is first up for redevelopment. The plans, seen above, call for owner-occupied apartment style buildings totaling 40 housing units of various design. 40 new units has to sound good to those concerned with our shortage of housing, both affordable and otherwise.
Marquette County Housing Specialist Antonio Adan sites data collected which indicates “Marquette County’s housing market can absorb 980 new units and 1,445 rehabilitated units every year for the next five years. That’s a lot of new housing potential.”
Define “Affordable”
Here is where we mention affordable housing, which is, of course, the inanimate boogeyman that rears its head in any discussion of planned developments. It’s impossible to define, and, unlike pornography, we might not even know it when we see it. What’s affordable for one may be out of reach for another. But this much is true… more inventory can only help keep housing costs within the range of local incomes. When options are scarce, regardless of the product, prices go up.
Surprisingly, there wasn’t much negative that came from the public comment portion of the Planning Commission meeting. Some nearby residents expressed concern with increased traffic, and buildings that block their view, but overall it seems residents are willing, maybe even anxious, to see what the Veridea Group can do with the barren property.
Much of the discussion revolved around how Piqua Street, the alley that borders the property to the south, will be incorporated into the project. Access to some of the buildings will come directly off Piqua, and, as one commenter noted, the unpaved street isn’t wide enough to accommodate vehicles going in two different directions.
Out of the blue, someone suggested Piqua be turned into a one-way street, and that idea was generally embraced by the commission, and will be included in future recommendations. Problem solved? Somewhat. Even being one-way, Piqua still might not be ready to handle much of an increase in traffic volume, but it doesn’t appear the city has any plans to make any substantive changes to the street anytime soon.
New Neighbors
Though these redevelopment plans won’t make everyone happy… of course they won’t, the thinking here is that it’s a good first step in the transformational process. Though 40 units will be a welcomed addition to our housing stock, there’s probably more to come. According to Veridea CEO Bob Mahaney, “The 17 acres master site is planned to have a variety of uses. We hope to have our plan finalized and released in the coming months.”
Of course, that’s not the area’s only housing development in the works. Veridea’s Hemlock Park, under construction at the corner of Division and South McClellan, will add a variety of housing options, likely at various price points. And if you take a drive around town, you’ll probably see any number of new units going up, usually as part of a planned development.
As our memories of the old hospital fade over time, we’ll get to see a new neighborhood rise to take its place. Without picking nits over such things as where the garbage carts will be stored, or, where will they put their snow… I, for one, am looking forward to the transformation.
No Go on the Westwood Mall
A few weeks back I reported that a local business was seriously interested in buying the Westwood Mall. I celebrated that idea as it seems current ownership is… how can I put this, derelict in its commitment to responsible stewardship.
Alas, before it could get very far, the purchase deal fell through. According to the potential buyer, there were just too many hurdles to jump over to make the investment worthwhile.
Having written numerous times about the fate of the mall, I still hold out hope that the penning of its epitaph is not a certainty. But as the viability of the building and the chance of its resurgence fades, so does my optimism. It seems when one new store opens, another closes.
As always, I’ll be keeping an eye on the Westwood Mall. May the day come when the news will be better than it is today.