Marquette Township, August 23, 2025
News Summary
At a special meeting the Marquette Township Board approved a 10-year Tax Increment Financing plan to support a proposed 48-unit housing development, moving the project closer to construction. The parcel is expected to transfer to a local homebuilder pending closing paperwork, and construction could occur over the next two years if county approval and additional funding align. Officials said the TIF will divert property tax revenue for roughly a decade to make the project viable amid rising construction costs. Supporters cite increased housing supply and affordability benefits; opponents cited concerns about lost tax revenue.
Marquette Township board approves 10-year TIF to move 48-unit housing project forward
Marquette Charter Township leaders voted at a special Friday afternoon meeting to approve a 10-year Tax Increment Financing (TIF) plan aimed at advancing a new housing development. The plan would help build 48 housing units expected to be completed over the next two years, though several final approvals and agreements remain before work can begin.
What the board approved and what comes next
The board’s action clears a major local hurdle by approving a financing approach that diverts new tax revenue from the site to support the development for roughly 10 years. Township leadership made clear that during that period the township will not be collecting the usual tax revenue on the development. County-level approval is still required before the TIF becomes final.
Developers involved in the long-running talks include Renovare, LLC and the current developer, Wildflower Homes. Wildflower Homes has said the project is expected to close in early September, when the company would take ownership of the site. The developer also noted they are still working to secure funding from the state housing agency (MSHDA) and that the board-level TIF approval must be followed by county approval to be fully in place.
Why the township approved a TIF and what it means
The Marquette County housing specialist emphasized that this financing method can lower costs for builders and future homeowners by using tax increment dollars to offset construction expenses. County officials noted local construction costs have risen significantly, and that combining this TIF with other grants and incentives can make a 48-unit build more feasible and financially realistic for the area.
The township supervisor described the board as having been conflicted over giving up tax dollars, stressing the importance of balancing fiscal responsibility with the need for more housing. The supervisor said officials must weigh every proposal carefully and work to protect the township’s financial health while still supporting projects that address local housing needs. A few remaining agreements must be finalized in the coming weeks before the project can move forward without outstanding local hurdles.
History: an earlier workforce housing proposal stalled
The current action follows more than two years of discussion over a five-acre parcel that had been proposed for a 48-unit workforce housing community. Earlier talks centered on a plan put forward by Renovare that originally included a 30-year TIF in which all tax revenue from the development would have gone toward the developer’s purchase payments rather than general township revenue. That long-term TIF drew resistance from board members worried about committing future budgets to the arrangement.
At a later regular meeting, Renovare offered a revised 10-year TIF under which only 13 of the 48 homes would have qualified as workforce housing. That motion failed at the regular meeting with five board members voting against and two in favor, effectively stopping that version of the project and prompting comments that the land might be put back up for sale. The failed vote set the stage for further negotiations that ultimately led to the current approval tied to Wildflower Homes.
Developer and county comments
The developer involved now said the board action brings the project significantly closer to happening and reiterated the planned September closing date for the purchase. County housing staff described moving forward with 48 brand-new units in the county as a major step and noted that without special financing tools and incentives the rising cost of construction would make projects like this very difficult.
Timing, approvals and remaining steps
Key next steps include final county approval of the TIF, the closing the developer plans at the beginning of September, confirmation of state housing funds, and the signing of a few outstanding township agreements. If all approvals and funding lines up, construction planning and permitting could proceed and the build-out of 48 units is expected to occur within the following two years.
The original coverage of these meetings included accompanying video of the board discussions and noted that video clips of the sessions were being prepared for online viewing. The township and county will continue to publish official notices and documents as agreements are finalized.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the township board approve?
The board approved a 10-year Tax Increment Financing plan intended to support construction of 48 housing units over the next two years, subject to county approval and other final agreements.
Who is developing the project?
Discussions began with Renovare, LLC, and the current developer set to take ownership is Wildflower Homes, with a planned closing in early September.
Will the township still collect taxes from the development?
Under the TIF, the township will not collect the usual tax revenue from this development for about 10 years; instead those incremental tax dollars would be used to support the project.
Is the project final and ready to build?
Not yet. The TIF still requires county-level approval, the developer is still pursuing state housing funds, and a few township agreements must be finalized before construction can begin.
What happened to the earlier workforce housing proposal?
An earlier proposal tied to the same parcel stalled after a proposed long-term TIF drew opposition. A prior motion to approve a different 10-year TIF split on workforce units failed at a regular meeting, halting that version of the plan.
Key project features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Marquette Charter Township, Michigan |
| Board action | Approved a 10-year TIF at a special Friday meeting |
| Units planned | 48 housing units over ~2 years |
| Developers involved | Renovare, LLC (earlier) and Wildflower Homes (current) |
| Ownership change | Wildflower Homes expected to close and take ownership in early September |
| Funding notes | TIF approved by township board; county approval required; MSHDA funding still pending |
| Financial impact | Township tax revenue from the site deferred for about 10 years under the TIF |
| Next steps | Finalize agreements, secure county approval, confirm state funding, proceed to permitting and construction |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
Additional Resources
- Upper Michigan’s Source: Marquette Township Board Approves Financing for New Housing Project
- Wikipedia: Marquette Township, Michigan
- MSN: Marquette Township Board Approves Financing for New Housing Project
- Google Search: Marquette Township 10-year TIF 48 units
- Upper Michigan’s Source: Marquette Township workforce housing development discussions stall
- Google Scholar: Marquette Township workforce housing Renovare
- Upper Michigan’s Source: Renovare — Marquette Township board still have not reached agreement
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Tax increment financing
- MSN: Proposed Renovare plan for workforce housing — discussions continue
- Google News: Marquette Township Renovare housing
