Thursday, July 27, 2023
The Mining Journal 5A
Region
Two-way
Quincy Street?
Hancock planners listen to
suggestions for master plan
By Houghton Daily
Mining Gazette staff
activities will include get-
ting input on the vision
statement, determining
what amenities people
would like to see in the
community, and looking at
ways to ensure sustainabil-
ity in the community.
Progressive AE intends
to present its master plan
update in November 2023,
with final adoption by the
city estimated to come the
next month.
HANCOCK — Members
of the urban planning group
drafting Hancock’s master
plan update presented find-
ings from public sessions
held earlier this year during
Monday’s Hancock Plan-
ning Commission meeting.
James Kilborn, an associ-
ate planner with the Grand
Rapids-based Progressive
AE, laid out a series of po-
tential additions to the mas-
ter plan.
One suggestion was add-
ing the intention of turn-
ing Quincy and Hancock
streets back to two-way
streets, as they had been
before the introduction
of the Portage Lake Lift
Bridge.
By turning Quincy Street
back into a two-way, Kil-
born said, it could have the
effect of reducing traffic
speeds and make people
give it more consideration
as a shopping area.
Some Planning Commis-
sion members liked the
idea; Planning Commis-
sion Chair Kurt Rickard
and Commissioner Su-
san Burack also said they
would like to see U.S. 41
rerouted to Hancock Street
to remove highway traffic
from Quincy Street.
But Hancock officials
also mentioned the diffi-
culty in getting even more
minor changes approved by
the Department of Trans-
portation along a highway.
“Maybe the Superior re-
gion is just a lot stricter
about adding anything,”
said City Manager Mary
Babcock. “We’re not al-
lowed to have a flashing
light anywhere on Quincy
Street that signifies a cross-
walk.”
Suzanne Schultz, urban
planning practice leader
with Progressive AE, said
even if it won’t see imme-
diate results, having it in
the plan could yield long-
term benefits if a window
of opportunity comes up.
“They may not like it, but
you can point to something
and say ‘We have all of this
community engagement,
we as a matter of policy
want to see this happen,’
for MDOT, it’s harder to
say no,” she said.
Babcock also gave the
Planning Commission the
first look at potential up-
grades to the arena, which
the city purchased from
Houghton County earlier
this year. The “Hoco Are-
na” will remain — though
now standing for “Hockey
Country.” Babcock dis-
played lighting, facade
and landscaping upgrades
at the entrance, as well as
changes inside. Rather than
swapping out pictures of
teams every year, Babcock
said they would be featured
on TV screens in the lobby.
Babcock said the city
would pursue a grant for an
elevator inside the building
to allow access to the com-
munity room upstairs.
The Planning Commis-
sion also OK’d a letter of
support for a Boyne Falls,
Michigan-based company
that is seeking a Depart-
ment of Energy grant that
would allow it to produce
biofuel in the state. Melissa
Davis of New Power Tour
gave a presentation to the
City Council about the re-
quest last week. To meet
the grant conditions, Davis
said, there would be also a
series of community edu-
cational events.
Tim Ward presents state Rep. David Prestin, R-Escanaba, with a T-shirt made to resemble the jersey Ward is wearing on
his 2,400-mile “Trace Michigan” tour.The journey is raising awareness for Chance for Life, a nonprofit that proclaims to “go
the extra mile.” (Escanaba Daily Press photo)
Man on 2,400 mile bike
ride trip to help inmates
By Escanaba
Daily Press staff
in conflict resolution and cietal reform that features
mediation, and founder innovation and strategic
and president John Adams thinking.”
driving an RV that carries
the other bikes, a show-
er, sleeping quarters, and
other supplies. He was
recently joined on the
road by Ward’s sister and
brother-in-law.
“He’s been killing it. On
average, more than a hun-
dred miles a day,” Camp-
bell. “He’s just doing such
a great job.”
ESCANABA — Mon-
day, July 24, 2023, was
Stage 13 of Timothy
Ward’s 22-day “Trace
Michigan” bicycle tour.
His journey, which out-
lines both the Upper and
Lower Peninsulas, is not
just a challenge for the
sake of exercise — Ward
is raising awareness for
Chance for Life, a non-
profit organization that
also runs a staffing agen-
At 59 years old, Ward
cy. Ward says that CFL said he has only really
program participants ben- gotten into serious cycling
efit from the same assis- in his fifties. But he has
tance that the agency’s job dived headlong into this
candidates do.
journey, which began in
“Those skillsets that Detroit on July 10 and
they gain through the is scheduled to conclude
program then come with 2,400 miles later on Aug.
them,” said Ward. “They 3. He mapped out a route
have services when they that hugs the state’s bor-
become returned citizens. ders as near as possible,
Not only actual services which means that he’s
for housing and jobs and gotten to enjoy Michi-
stuff like that, but if they gan’s famous lakeshores
ever need to talk, they and fresh air.
Prior to the stop in Es-
canaba, Trace Michigan
had encountered a few
days of rain, plus thick,
visibility-reducing fog for
58 miles. “That was un-
nerving,” Ward admitted.
He said he got to enjoy the
sun breaking through the
clouds as he crossed the
Porcupine Mountains.
Sundays have been rest
days, so Monday’s ride
began refreshed. The trip
took off from Stephenson
that morning, leading south
down US 41 until it met 35,
at which point they turned
and headed to Escanaba.
After the meeting at the
Municipal Dock, which in-
cluded a moment of group
laughter as Rep. Prestin
lifted Ward’s streamlined
bicycle with a single finger,
Ward set off for Rapid Riv-
er, where Trace Michigan
was scheduled to spend the
night before continuing the
journey towards Mackinac
County.
Babcock also updated
the council on the new
clock, recently installed on
the corner by U.S. 41 and
M-203. The installation
had been one of the final
projects worked on by late
Downtown Development
Authority Coordinator Deb
Mann. Babcock said she is
working on getting some
state signage relocated
so the clock can be better
seen.
implements
behavioral
and life skills training in
Michigan correctional fa-
cilities.
On
Monday,
Ward
have Tom’s cell phone
Ward remarked upon
passed through Escanaba
and met with Michigan
State Representative Da-
vid Prestin at the Munici-
pal Dock.
number. They have Jessi- how “gorgeous” the U.P.
ca’s cell phone number… was and wondered aloud
It’s services for life.”
a
whether residents are able
“Path to purpose,” to take the time to get out
remarked Rep. Prestin. and enjoy it much. “I’m
“That’s a great story you sure they appreciate it,” he
have to tell.” Prestin, of was quick to clarify, and
Cedar River, represents noted that he has been able
District 108 in the Mich- to see landscapes from a
“It’s quite an undertak-
ing, but it’s very reward-
ing,” Ward told Prestin.
Chance for Life began
its first “Transformation
Project” in 1999 when 25
individuals incarcerated at
Mound Correctional Facil-
ity in Detroit were select-
ed to partake in the pro-
gram and receive lessons
on mediation and com-
munication. Those people
we’re coached on how to
pass learned skills to oth-
ers, triggering a behav-
ioral shift in the popula-
tion. After one year of the
program, Mound reported
that violent incidents were
reduced by 40%.
The city’s recreation
committee also had its first
meeting to begin work on
the five-year plan. Western
Upper Peninsula Planning
igan House.
different perspective and
Ward, the president of with deeper admiration
lobbying firm Michigan when riding as opposed to
Legislative Consultants driving. “It allows you to
out of Lansing, first con- take in a lot more.”
A
second community
event is planned for some-
time in September. Those
&
Development Region
will be assisting in the plan,
Babcock said.
nected with CFL when
Three bicycles have
they became one of his been on rotation during
clients a few years ago. Ward’s tour. One is built
According to a release for gravel, one for hills
from Trace Michigan, “af- — and the one he was
ter 35 years of political using in Escanaba was
Breitung OKs request on landfill
By Iron Mountain
Daily News staff
prevented them from their
preferred method of spread-
consulting,
government the “workhorse,” as crew
QUINNESEC — A pro- ing it over farm fields. Un-
posal that allows a pri- der an agreement with the
vate landfill in Breitung Michigan Department of
Township to continue Environment, Great Lakes
to accept waste sludge and Energy, Resolute now
from a Menominee pulp relies on Niagara Develop-
mill has gained support ment’s landfill off Kimber-
from Breitung Township ly Road for sludge disposal
Board, moving it clos- as needed.
service, and advocacy ex- chief Malcolm Campbell
perience, Ward values so- put it. Campbell has been
“They (CFL) teach in-
mates how to think dif-
ferently, how to resolve
conflicts, how to do that
through mediation,” Ward
explained. “When they go
in for the first time they sit
down with the gang lead-
ers, because that’s who
runs the prison. And so
they get their buy-in, and
they let them know that
everybody is going to be
treated with respect and
equally and they’re not
there for any one side.”
The nonprofit aims to
“empower people to do
for themselves through
education and opportuni-
ty.” Executive Director
Jessica Taylor is trained
er to becoming a part of
Dickinson County’s solid is mixed with waste sand
waste plan.
from Grede Foundries in
At the landfill, the sludge
Officials from Niagara Kingsford before being
Development, the landfill placed in the lagoon.
owner, and the Dickin-
son County Solid Waste foundry sand is avail-
Management Planning able, and so the pro-
Sometimes not enough
Committee were on hand posed amendment would
at Monday’s township allow Resolute to then
board meeting to answer place the waste in the
questions about the waste landfill.
sludge.
The proposed amend-
Resolute Forest Products ment to the county’s waste
has been placing some of plan needs the approval of
its waste products in la- at least seven of the ten lo-
goons at the landfill since cal units of government in
2019 when a wet spring the county.
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
MARQUETTE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION
Notice is hereby given that the Marquette City Planning Commission will hold a public
hearing for the following - 04-SUP-08-23 – 1901 & 1903 Presque Isle Ave (PIN:
0470480 & 0470470): Dan McQuaid and Chris Gale are seeking approval for a Special
Land Use Permit for Light Manufacturing use for a distillery located at 1901 & 1903
Presque Isle Avenue.
The public hearing for this request will be at 6:00 P.M. on Tuesday, August 15, 2023,
in the Commission Chambers at City Hall, 300 W. Baraga Ave. If you wish to comment
on these matters you may do so at that time. Written comments may also be submitted
to the Community Development Department located at 1100 Wright Street, Marquette,
Michigan 49855 or e-mail alanders@marquettemi.gov. Written submissions will be
accepted until 12:00 p.m. on August 15, 2023.
Materials pertaining to the request is available for review at the Community
Development Department’s office at the Municipal Service Center during 7:30 a.m. to
4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Otherwise, you can request to have the materials
e-mailed to you by e-mailing alanders@marquettemi.gov.You can also view the Land
and require assistance to participate, please provide advance notice.
Andrea Landers, Zoning Official, 225-8383
