iminor@dailypress.net
GLADSTONE Six applicants vying for a single open Gladstone City Commission seat including a few familiar faces will have their chance to introduce themselves later this month.
The open seat on the commission was created by the resignation of Commissioner Darin Hunter, who left the city due to a change in employment that would have created a potential conflict of interest. Six people applied for the position by 4 p.m. on May 4, including Brian Godfrey, Diane Godfrey, Jason Leonard, Michael O’Connor, Robert Pontius, and Steven Viau.
All six applicants for the seat were in attendance at Monday’s regular city commission meeting, but the majority of commentary from the applicants themselves came from former commissioners O’Connor and Viau.
Artist rendering of developing Gladstoneâs North Shore development
GLADSTONE Developers are still being sought for the North Shore Development Project along the Lake Michigan shoreline on Little Bay de Noc. The Gladstone Downtown Development Authority (DDA), Gladstone City Commission and Gladstone Planning Commission are very supportive of the project.
The 34-acre site provides opportunities for new-build housing options within walking distance to downtown Gladstone. The development is intended to benefit city’s community and economy while maintaining a large amount of naturalized shoreline. Toward this goal, the city worked with MSU’s School of Planning, Design, and Construction along with MSU Extension to engage in Michigan State University’s Sustainable Built Environment Initiative (SBEI). The SBEI’s final report incorporated community feedback and included final design visuals. The report also made recommendations to maintain a theme of sustainability. Details o
ccarlson@dailypress.net
GLADSTONE Plans are underway to repair Gladstone’s boardwalk that was damaged by high water levels in recent years.
The Gladstone Downtown Development Authority recently discussed a funding request for the boardwalk, which has been rendered unsafe due to high water.
K & M Industrial has provided a $400,000 estimate for renovating the boardwalk in two areas, by 4th Street park and by Saunders Point. The DDA is writing a grant application for $200,000–the maximum allowed for the construction project–with a 50% match from the city of Gladstone. The city has approved $100,000 for the project, with another $100,000 needed to fulfill the financial commitment on Gladstone’s part.
GLADSTONE The Gladstone Downtown Development Authority discussed adding electric charging stations downtown.
Two options were discussed, a five-hour charging station priced at $30,000 each, and a one-hour charging station at the cost of $90,000 each. A state grant for the charging stations would award up to $13,000.
While the DDA agreed the five-hour stations work well for larger hotels, the one-hour stations would be more desirable to those looking to charge their vehicles while traveling through town and stopping for lunch. DDA board member Linda Howlett suggested that the extra spend would be worth it for the one-hour stations, so the town doesn’t have something that will become quickly obsolete because travelers will not want to stop for five hours to charge.