Former Westwood Mall in Marquette area could become site for apartments
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MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP -- The availability of workforce-type housing, which experts agree is badly needed in the greater Marquette area, could get a shot in the arm with plans under consideration for the Westwood Mall.
Garritt Bader of GB Real Estate Investments in Green Bay, Wis., is interested in purchasing the mall to build a multi-million-dollar housing project once the section of the mall that caved in under the weight of heavy snow is razed. That square footage is about 112,000.
"This is a big project and it's been a long time coming," said Jason McCarthy, who serves as Marquette Township planner and zoning administrator. "It's an opportunity … for one of the most important pieces of property in the township."
The Marquette Township Board recently voted to declare the site a blighted property, about six months after the roof failed in February. The removal of the damaged section would be underwritten using brownfield redevelopment funds through Marquette County, McCarthy said.
That money, as much as $1 million, would be repaid, going forward, with tax revenues from the property. Current mall occupants North Iron Church, Kohl's and Dunham's would remain, he said.
McCarthy said Bader is eyeing construction of six to seven apartment buildings on land northwest of the mall, with 180 to 210 total units. The units would be one to two bedrooms in size.
The housing component would comprise Phase II of Bader's plan. Phase I would include construction of a new retail outlet. McCarthy confirmed the new outlet is a national retailer but declined to provide a name.
"The mall has been a challenge for a long time," McCarthy said. "We now have an opportunity to turn that difficult chapter into something positive."
McCarthy noted that from a township planning perspective, the significance extends well beyond replacing a damaged building. This is an opportunity to reimagine how an established commercial property functions: its access and circulation, parking layout, landscaping, appearance and connections for those wanting to walk or bike, he said.
It is also an opportunity to accommodate new investment where roads, utilities and surrounding businesses already exist.