City takes next steps in Vault Marquette project

What's happening: The next step in a major downtown Marquette redevelopment project is complete, as the Marquette City Commission unanimously approved a public parking agreement with the Vault Marquette project. The parking structure would provide at least three levels of parking under a new building as the 100 S. Front Street block would take on a whole new look.

What is the Vault project: Named after the Savings Bank building at the center of the project, numerous buildings and lots between Washington and Main Streets in Marquette will be turned into hotel rooms and apartments, with improved shared spaces for restaurants and retail to help with walkability. To facilitate the development, 212 parking spaces will be created as part of the project, which is what the city commission approved most recently.    

What they're saying:  “First ... the old savings bank building (will) become the hotel, that will be phase one and start this fall,” Marquette Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Chair David Allen said. “The second phase will be on the south side of the parking lot area -- they will build the parking deck there and then the residences on the top of that. Then they will move to the north side of the lot and do the expansion of the hotel ... It sounds to me like it’s about 36 months of construction from start to finish, hopefully starting this fall.”

What's next:  With all of the designs in place, the city, the Marquette DDA and the Marquette Vault LLC project must agree to terms on how construction will start and get the area ready for proper safety and environmental concerns before starting the renovation and improvements. “They have to start their predevelopment site plan activities and preparation to get it ready for construction,” said Sean Dobbins, Marquette assistant city manager.