Wakefield City Hall may see new life

By PAMELA JANSSON

pjansson@yourdailyglobe.com

Wakefield — The old Wakefield City Hall, vacant on the main street now for a decade, might still see new life, according to a report from city manager Robert Brown Jr.

In a Tuesday evening phone call, Brown said that the Wakefield City Council discussed at its Monday evening meeting the possibility of reviving the property.

“We already have the demolition grant,” said Brown regarding $1.2 million received from the Michigan Land Bank Authority.

That money was facilitated last year via Gogebic County treasurer Lisa Hewitt.

“It sounds like there’s a possibility we can take the demolition grant and split it apart,” said Brown in relation to the application of its use.

If that’s the case, he said the city may opt to use part of the funds to demolish the old garages attached to the former City Hall while applying remaining funds to the “stabilization” of the hall itself.

“The hope would be to attract a developer,” he said.

Beyond that, he added, the city also may be eligible for state funds in relation to historical preservation.

“It’s going to be interesting,” he said about whatever direction occurs.

Brown expects more information to develop within the next couple weeks, at which point council members will be updated again at their next meeting.

According to the city manager, the council also:

— Approved the city’s renewal as a member of the Western Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Region. Created in 1968 and covering the western side of the U.P., WUPPDR is one of the state’s 14 RPAs.

— Approved a resolution that acknowledges a joint use pole agreement with Xcel Energy. According to an agenda report by Brown, the agreement applies to the north shoulder of Old U.S. 2.

— Approved a resolution acknowledging first quarter budget amendments in the 2024-2025 fiscal year.

— Approved the renewal of city employees’ flexible spending accounts, which were established in 2019.

All votes were unanimous with Mike Zeckovich and Pat Libertoski absent.

Brown added that, in a separate Tuesday evening meeting of the Planning Commission, members discussed a tiny home ordinance for the city and also acknowledged the need for public hearings in coming weeks regarding site plan reviews of a pending quarry and brewery, as well as a possible fabricating/welding business.

The council’s next regular meeting will be on Sept. 23 at 5:30 p.m. in the council chamber of the municipal building.