On Tuesday, the Marquette County Board of Commissioners took a step to revitalize the K.I. Sawyer area when they approved a measure that would designate the base as a commercial rehabilitation district.

The measure aims to allow for urban growth and renewal of properties by freezing the taxable value of the properties prior to work being done.

“At Sawyer, most of the remaining properties need rehabilitation and this is a good mechanism to incentivize development,” said Marquette County Administrator Scott Erbisch. “This type of district is being used in the city of Negaunee.”

Negaunee is proof that these type of programs are successful, as the downtown district in Negaunee has seen a rapid improvement in recent years and is seemingly attracting new businesses at a high pace.

“Forsyth Township desires to promote beneficial rehabilitation, renovation or development of obsolete or vacant property within the township’s Sawyer Commercial Area,” said Forsyth Township Zoning Administrator Crystal Johnson.

The total amount of tax abatements are unclear as of now, as the projects that would receive them are yet to be approved.

The total coverage area of the current commercial rehabilitation district zone will be the entire west side of K.I. Sawyer and half of the east side.

In recent years, the former Air Force base near Gwinn has seen a lack of commercial investment, leaving untapped potential for businesses and housing.

It is no secret that many are being priced out of living in Marquette, so investing in surrounding areas will make it easier for residents to live and work in the area without breaking the bank.