This information was first made public at the Lake Superior Community Partnership’s hosted first joint “State of the City” and “State of the County” gathering recently where Mayor Jessica Hanley expressed the city’s interest in the potential sale of Lakeview Arena.

The goal of a potential sale would be to keep up with maintenance and improve the arena, rather than getting rid of it, she said. Hanley noted that city officials believe a different owner could better maintain the facility, given budget constraints.

While residengts and others on social media are buzzing about the potential of an arena sale turning recreational land into condos, Marquette City Manager Karen Kovacs explained how it wouldn’t be possible to use the land to develop housing.

“The property was acquired from NMU with specific restrictions on the use of the land. The (land acquisition) deed states it “shall be used only for a convention center and ice arena and other related public activities” otherwise the property would revert back to NMU,” said Kovacs in an email to The Mining Journal.

Lakeview Arena inside is pictured. (Journal file photo)

The Marquette City Commission will host a work session today where the public can offer comments about the potential sale.

“There is a specific partner we will be hearing from tomorrow who approached us with their plans,” wrote Hanley in an email to The Mining Journal. “They are a local group and have a vested interest in ice here in the area with strong ties to our hockey community.”

During the work session, the city commission will also hear additional information from city staff. No decisions will be made at the work session.

“If the commission appears to be interested in continuing exploring the sale, I would anticipate the commission to take action at an upcoming regular meeting to direct city staff to enter into negotiations with the interested party,” said Kovacs. “Even then, there is still one more layer that the city commission would need (to) act on which is the final sale price and terms.”

Both Kovacs and Hanley made it clear that the land where Lakeview Arena is can only be used for public activities and recreation related to the ice rink.

“If the city sells the operations would be completely in the hands of the developer,” said Mayor Hanley. “… I would assume that during negotiations, if they happen, the city will make sure to try and extend extra clauses to ensure it is used for what they have proposed.”

For members of the public wishing to attend the work session, it will take place at 5:15 today inside the Citizen’s Forum at Lakeview Arena, located at 401 E. Fair Ave.

The Mining Journal will continue to provide updates on this story as more information becomes available.

Abby LaForest can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 548. Her email address is alaforest@miningjournal.net.