The village of Suttons Bay is getting a little financial help to tackle one of the top priorities in its updated marina master plan.
The Village Council Monday approved an updated master plan for the marina back in March. Among other things, the 2024 master plan called for replacing or upgrading the old bathhouse and to reconfigure or replace the dockage from the old boat launch to the west.
These will be expensive projects, but fortunately for the village, it seems they’ll receive substantial grant funding from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Waterways Program.
Through the program, the village will receive $406,000 for the new public restrooms attached to the marina bathhouse and $453,000 for a new dock project on the west end of the marina. The village will have to provide matching dollars for both grants which represent almost 25% of the total funding available through this program in 2024.
Village Manager Rob Larrea confirmed two weeks ago at the village’s May 8 Downtown Development Authority meeting that the village will receive the grants. However, the village council still needs to formally accept them. They were not considered for approval at the council’s regular meeting Monday because the proposals from the DNR were still not ready.
Larrea explained after the council accepts the DNR grants, there will be a lengthy design and engineering process before work can begin on the projects.
The updated master plan calls for the demolition and replacement of the old bathhouse, which was constructed in 1978. Many marina users consider the building to be in poor condition. One of the highest priorities identified in the plan is replacing the structure with a new bathhouse/boater services building.
Funds from the Waterways Program will not go towards the new bathhouse itself, but towards public restrooms that will be open year-round, Larrea said, adding he hopes the demolition and construction of a new bathhouse will be completed during the marina’s off-season in winter 2025-2026.
Although the council did not approve these grants, they did take the following actions this week:
• Appointed Mary Jo Cartwright as Suttons Bay-Bingham District Library board trustee for a four-year term and appointed village trustee Debra Smith as village council representative on the planning commission.
• Approved the purchase of a lock system upgrade for village facilities with a one-time installation charge of $5,600 and with monthly services of $85.
• Accepted a proposal from Machin Engineering to design an Americans with Disabilities Act-complaint engineered walkway/ crossing plan for both sides of M-22 and Beach Street in the amount of $9,300.
• Adopted an ordinance regulating the storing and abandonment of unattached trailers on village streets. Violators shall be responsible for a municipal civil infraction and be subject to a $100-500 fine, with each day a violation continues to exist constituting a separate offense.
• Passed a resolution of support for a Transportation Economic Development Fund Category B grant application. If approved, village documents say the grant would be used to save on the cost of paving a portion of Elm Street.
