The Port Huron City Council will vote on the approval of the sale of the former River District Grocery Store property at their upcoming meeting Monday night.  Community stakeholders met with city leaders yesterday to meet developers and see initial plans for the site.

The Woda Group, a firm that develops affordable housing in 16 states, plans to purchase the property from the City of Port Huron and invest at least $9,500,000 in the property.

James Freed, Port Huron City Manager, said, “This project will be one of the largest housing developments in the region and will provide transformational change to the Connor St. Corridor. This significant investment will no doubt induce future investment and development into this important area of our community.”

At the unveiling of the plan to the community Thursday, Freed shared that community leaders took potential developers on a bus ride around the city last year and identified the old River District Grocery site , or 3550 Electric Avenue, as a site for a new housing development.

“It’s the most undervalued property in the city with the most potential. You have beautiful waterfront views, you have walkability to one of our keynote charter parks, Lincoln Park, which has a brand new play structure thanks to the Ralph C. Wilson Foundation, walkability to restaurants and bars and pubs and more to come, and we thought, this is the place,” said Freed.

The new housing development will include 58 units of two and three-bedroom condos ( 24 two-bedroom and 34 three bedroom) in its 4-story structure.

Craig Patterson, Senior Vice President of the Woda Group, said the new development will feature amenities that appeal to individuals that are earning between $40, 000 – $83,000 a year.

“I mention those income levels because we’re setting the targets at that level so those individual can afford to purchase.” Patterson went on to say, “These are the missing middle residents and stakeholders and entrepreneurs and business owners and retail workers that are already in this community or who desire to move to Port Huron in this beautiful community.”

The Woda Group intends to received funding from the State of Michigan that will help keep the cost of the condos affordable. Once they get funded, they desire to get started with the building project within 6 months.

The architect firm that will be designing the building is based out of Minneapolis, and Patterson said the Woda Group uses that firm when they want a really special design. The images available now are preliminary, and Patterson told the crowd, “You haven’t seen anything yet!”

The City will require the Woda Group to meet certain obligations on the project including starting construction within 24 months after closing on the sale of the property. Freed said the Warranty Deed will also include a provision requiring Woda to return the property to the City if they fail to do so.

The City Council meets in the Public Meeting Room at the Municipal Office Center on Monday, September 12 at 7 :00 PM, and the public is always welcome to attend and comment.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Today, the U.S. Senate passed Congresswoman Lisa McClain’s (R-MI) bill, H.R. 5754, the Patient Advocate Tracker Act. This bipartisan bill would create an online portal where veterans can track the status of formal complaints that they file through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

“Our nation’s veterans have sacrificed so much for our country they deserve the best health care possible,” said Rep. McClain. “When veterans receive subpar care, they should be able to file a complaint and easily track that complaint through the VA system. I am excited my legislation to ensure veterans receive this tracking ability has passed the Senate. Thank you to Senators John Kennedy and Raphael Warnock for helping lead this effort in their chamber. I am eager to have the President sign this bill into law.”

The Patient Advocate Tracker Act was introduced by Reps. McClain, Slotkin, Moolenaar and Dingell on October 27,2021. The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Patient Advocate Tracker Act on May 16, 2022.

Submitted by Congresswoman Lisa McClain’s Office

One of Port Huron’s most recognized attractions will be saying its final farewell next summer. If you’ve ever been near the boardwalk by Pine Grove Park, you have probably seen the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter, the Hollyhock.

The Hollyhock has been in Port Huron since 2003, and it serves to aid the area’s authorities in missions such as navigation, search and rescue, environmental protection, and domestic icebreaking. The Hollyhock will be departing permanently in early summer of 2023 and will be replaced later that year, or in early 2024, by the Sequoia.

To aid the Port Huron Area School District and its students this winter, the Hollyhock will be offering tours of the boat and are asking for donations of new or gently used coats.

MK2 Mike Godell, organizer of the event, says, “We are doing this because the community has given so much to the crew over the years. We would love for this event to be a medium to help kids in need get a nice coat for the upcoming winter.”

The event will take place October 7th – 9th from 10 AM to 5 PM.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Tis’ the season for ghouls, ghosts, goblins, and things that go bump in the night. The Port Huron Museum is holding the Young Adult Spooky Evening Candle Lit Museum Tour to give a unique spin on its museum tour.

The event will feature pumpkin carving, apple cider, and doughnuts. The main tour includes learning the history of Halloween by firelight as well as a candlelight tour of the museum, so get ready to be educated and served up with some seriously creepy vibes for a night of fun and entertainment.

The Young Adult Spooky Evening Candle Lit Museum Tour will be held October 30th from 6 PM – 9 PM. The event is geared toward 21-35 year-olds and visitors must be 21 to participate due alcohol being served.

For more information contact the Port Huron Museum at (810) 982-0891.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell