City officials said what is simply known as “the hole” in downtown Petoskey will finally be filled. Residents can learn what the plan entails at a meeting Monday July 22.
The developer, Bob Berg, is planning a project called the Petoskey Grand on the Lake Street property. He will be at the meeting to discuss the plans and answer any questions from attendees.
“The hole” has been waiting to be filled since 2004, city officials said, after a previous development project failed.
The development will include a hotel and conference center, a theater, pharmacy and 41 residential units.
Petoskey Chamber President Carlin Smith said the meeting will give residents a chance to get information about the development.
“We see the Petoskey Grand Project as really one of the biggest decisions our city will be making, and we think it’s important, as a chamber of commerce, to bring people together to see it, know it, understand it, so that they can either advocate… for it or against, no matter how they feel about it,” Smith said.
Smith said the Petoskey area has been facing a housing shortage, and this project will help to reduce the effects of the shortage.
"[There will be] thirty apartment units, plus 11 brownstones would be... 41 residential units to try to chip into the 500 unit gap that we have in the community,” Smith said.
Smith says the city will not pay for The Petoskey Grand, because it is a private project.
The event will be held at the Odawa Hotel at 3:30 on Monday. For more information, visit the Petoskey Chamber website.