Study gives Bessemer thumbs up for new hotel, restaurant

By P.J. GLISSON

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Bessemer - Members of the Bessemer City Council learned Monday evening that a market feasibility study has given the town a green light for a new hotel and restaurant.

"We're very excited about this because it could be huge for our community," said City Manager Charly Loper, who added that her office is now open to contact from both developers and investors.

Loper said the study suggested that a "midscale to upper mid-scale hotel," or one with 35 to 45 guest rooms, could work well in Bessemer, along with a "small, locally-owned and operated full-service restaurant."

"Nothing in this study should be a surprise to anyone in the community," stated Mayor Adam Zak in a related press release, also dated Monday.

The mayor's statement continued, "We have seen a demand for both a restaurant and a hotel, and we are hoping to work with locals and/or developers to meet our community's needs."

The study was done by Core Distinction Group, which has offices in Oshkosh and Little Chute, Wis., and which specializes in hotel feasibility studies.

According to Loper, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation paid for the study because of Bessemer's status as a Redevelopment-Ready Community. The Michigan Municipal League also helped with the study.

Special meeting will address marijuana odor

In other news, the council also scheduled a special meeting on Feb. 26 at 6 p.m. to discuss options in reducing marijuana odors in the town.

Loper said the issue was discussed at a Jan. 28 brainstorming meeting, and she also reported that members of the local cannabis community have approached her with the idea of forming a coalition to combat marijuana odors.

Regarding the Feb. 26 session, Loper said, "I'd like to do it ... in the auditorium and literally sit in a circle."

"I don't want to have a free-for-all," said Council Member Linda Nelson.

"That's why I want to heavily moderate it," said Loper.

The council also:

-Voted to accept results of a recent audit on the 2018-2019 fiscal year. "This is really clean," said Mayor Pro Tempore Terry Kryshak. "My compliments to the team because this is really well done."

-Voted to enact minor changes to rules for the city's Hillcrest Cemetery.

-Voted to appoint Dennis Litfin of Ironwood Township to the Bessemer Public Library Board.

-Voted to postpone action on property at 212 2nd Ave. until June 15 so that the owner can have time to submit to Loper by June 10 a plan that includes a timeline of intended property work.

-Voted to stop garbage collection service at the address of Neal and Linda Nelson until complaints about missed pick-up dates are resolved with Eagle Waste and Recycling, based in Eagle River, Wis. Nelson abstained, and Kryshak cast the sole dissenting vote.

-Discussed concerns regarding state rules regarding lead and copper water lines, as well as pending rates for water and sewer rates, but took no related action. Loper said she will discuss potential liability issues with City Attorney Ray O'Dea and will report back to the council at a future meeting.

-Voted to pay a total of about $35,000 in engineering fees to the Escanaba office of C2AE.

The council's next regular meeting will be on Feb. 18 at 6 p.m. in the council room of the Bessemer City Hall. This meeting is on a Tuesday, thus diverging from the council's regular meeting schedule of every first and third Monday of the month. The public is welcome.