CHEBOYGAN — An update on Cheboygan Commons, a redevelopment project designed to replace the closed paper mill along the Cheboygan River, will occur at 6 p.m. on May 13 at the Cheboygan Area Public Library.
Sharen Lange, project coordinator for Cheboygan Commons, will discuss the current hold on the project, site remediation and what steps will be taken to get it moving forward. She also wants to focus on the project’s environmental challenges as part of Earth Week Plus, which spotlights conservation and protecting the earth’s resources.
“This is not so much about what is in the project as we have already shared with the community what we want to do with that site. I believe it is important to share images that show environmental concerns and some of the discoveries that have happened while working with EGLE (Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy),” said Lange.
In 2023, a fire destroyed a warehouse across the street from the Tissue Depot paper mill. Although the building housing the paper operations wasn’t damaged, the mill never resumed operations after the blaze. Developer Bob Pulte has proposed transitioning the 14-acre site into a mixed-use development featuring housing, a riverfront restaurant, a boutique style hotel, commercial space for retail or offices, a fitness center and a small special events center.
Currently, there is no work going on at the site.
“The project’s current status is due to the lawsuit over the hydroelectric power plant and the seller not being able to deliver a clear title,” Lange said.
Recently, Cheboygan Commons and the city of Cheboygan were dismissed from the lawsuit. Lange is hopeful everything can be cleared up this year.
“We are not saying (the project) is dead but we don’t have a clear pathway to obtain the property and get to work,” Lange added.
The price tag for Cheboygan Commons has doubled to $100 million from the original $50 million estimate. Lange said Pulte and project partners now have a better idea of what will be required to complete the project. The rising price has not deterred Pulte, according to Lange.
“Bob Pulte still believes in Cheboygan and still believes in this project,” she said.
— Contact Paul Welitzkin at pwelitzkin@gaylordheraldtimes.com.
This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Cheboygan Commons update on May 13 to focus on project’s environmental challenges
Reporting by Paul Welitzkin, Cheboygan Daily Tribune / Cheboygan Daily Tribune
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