MDNR Conversion Assistance
August 1, 2022
PROJECT NAME: MDNR Conversion Assistance
DATE OF ISSUANCE: August 1st, 2022
DATE PROPOSAL DUE: August 30th, 2022
ISSUING OFFICE: City of Muskegon
c/o Leo Evans
Department of Public Works
1350 Keating Ave.
Muskegon, MI 49442
Tel. (231) 724-6920
[email protected]
The City of Muskegon is seeking proposals from qualified firms to provide comprehensive assistance related to completing a city wide conversion process through the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR). The City of Muskegon has, or will have, a number of projects throughout the city that necessitate the need to enter into a conversion process with MDNR to assess the impacts and reach an agreement on several impacted areas.
It is anticipated that the City of Muskegon will formally enter into the conversion process during the 2022 calendar year and would desire to have the matter resolved in time for consideration during the round of MDNR grant funding with applications due on April 1, 2023. If that date is not achievable then the goal would be for resolution prior to the April 1, 2024 grant submittal deadline.
The conversion process will at a minimum need to consider the following properties broken down into three primary categories:
CONVERSION ANTICIPATED – These properties are very likely to trigger the start of a conversion process for the City and are the primary areas that will require mitigation to resolve. Submitting firms should anticipate completing steps 1-6 (Complete Process) of the MDNR Conversion guidelines for these properties.
- Adelaide Pointe – Planned development that will impact Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) encumbered properties in the form of the Lakeshore Trail and the Hartshorn Marina. Proposed development has plans for mitigating the trail impacts and dedicating additional land for public use.
- Hartshorn Village – Planned development that will impact LWCF encumbered properties in the form of the Lakeshore Trail and the Hartshorn Marina. Proposed development will require relocation of the trail and transfer of the trail property to the development for a net loss of acreage. Project also offers first right of refusal on slips within the public marina.
- Lakeshore Trail – Fee simple owned grant encumbered property that will require mitigation as a result of the above referenced projects.
- Hartshorn Marina – Fee simple owned grant encumbered property that will require mitigation as a result of the above referenced projects.
CONVERSION POTENTIAL – These properties have also been discussed for development that may also trigger a conversion though the outcome is less certain at this time. The City would still like these properties to be considered in the process should the development take shape to avoid the potential need for an additional conversion process in the near future. Submitting firms should anticipate completing steps 1-3 (Through Preliminary MDNR Review) of the MDNR Conversion guidelines for these properties.
- Third Street Wharf – Potential property swap up for consideration that could see the transfer of Fisherman’s Landing (City owned encumbered property) to a private owner in exchange for the Third Street Wharf property.
- Fisherman’s Landing – Potential city owned parcel that could be swapped for privately owned Third Street Wharf parcel.
- MDNR Railroad Transfer – MDNR has offered to sell the City of Muskegon portions of a former railroad corridor which is encumbered through the acquisition process MDNR original undertook to obtain the property. Part of the property currently contains the Laketon Trail and part of the property is currently vacant corridor. City is considering the offer and has ambitions to develop the vacant portion into a future trail, but would like the ability to sell off excess portions of the property and retain only the necessary right of way for the existing and future paths.
POTENTIAL MITIGATION SITES – These properties offer a potential opportunity to mitigate some or all of the anticipated and potential conversions. These sites are expected to offer a net increase in dedicated outdoor recreation acreage to offset any loss on the other sites. Submitting firms should anticipate completing steps 1-6 (Full Process) of the MDNR Conversion guidelines for these properties.
- CSX Railroad Acquisition – City is in the process of purchasing property from CSX railroad for an abandoned spur. Portions of the former rail bed will remain with reverter clauses that fit well with dedication for public use.
- Former Farmers Market – City owned parcel that housed the City Farmers Market which has since been relocated to downtown. Site is unsuitable from an environmental standpoint for redevelopment in residential use and may be a candidate site to dedicate a portion for public use.
- Additional sites and features may be identified during the process, and the above list is not intended to be all inclusive
Attachment #001 – Site Maps [PDF]
Attachment #002 = Conversion Process Outline (MDNR) [PDF]
Attachment #003 – MDNR Grant History [PDF]