Despite their frustration, city commissioners in Muskegon, Michigan recently unanimously approved an updated development agreement between the city and Muskegon Lakefront LLC, owner of the remaining lots in Harbor 31, a 34-acre waterfront property. The new agreement gives Muskegon Lakefront until November 1, 2015 to either begin construction on the site, pay a 0,000 special assessment by December 31, 2015 or convey the land to the city.
City commissioners expressed frustration with Muskegon Lakefront’s lack of development at the site, as the group instead focuses on its plan for an Indian casino in downtown Muskegon if the Grand River Band of Ottawa Indians is granted federal recognition.
Muskegon Lakefront, owned a group of investors led by Muskegon real estate agent Dick Anderson, has been trying to develop an Indian casino downtown for more than 10 years. Anderson said the Grand River Band is getting closer to being federally recognized, and then could start the process leading to a downtown casino.
The new agreement directs the ownership group to submit a new planned unit development for approval by the Muskegon Planning Commission and the city commission.
Vice Mayor Larry Spataro said, “For over a decade, I can’t see why people would have such a hard time making money on waterfront property. I don’t foresee anything happening there in the next two years. I’ll go along with this, but we need to bring the issue to a conclusion. This has to be our last time.”
Former Muskegon Mayor Steve Warmington, representing Muskegon Lakefront owners, said, “This group is definitely meeting and marketing the property.”
