In cooperation with the Superior Watershed Partnership and Northern Michigan University Biology Department, the City of Marquette will be closing a portion of Peter White Drive in Presque Isle Park to facilitate the safe migration of the blue-spotted salamander.

The southwest bend of Peter White Drive, from the Ice-cream Store Pavilion to the gate north of the pavilion, will close to vehicular traffic daily at 8 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. beginning April 9-April 30, or until the completion of the migration. Road barricades will be placed and removed daily to prevent vehicular traffic use of the migration area. Foot traffic is permitted in the area during regular park hours.

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: “WORDS TO LIVE AND BIKE BY” BIKE PATH MURALS

The Marquette Public Art Commission (MPAC) is inviting artists, community members, and organizations to apply to design and paint text-inspired, site-specific artworks on the surface of the Holly Greer Bike Path in Marquette.

The “Words to Live and Bike By” project involves five words painted at five predetermined locations along the bike path. Featured words are to be suggested and designed by the applicant as part of the application process. This year’s mural locations include:

• 7^th Street & Beacon House
• Hospital corridor & Beacon House
• Intersection of the bike path and Center St.
• Kaufman Sports Complex
• S. Lakeshore Blvd. & E. Hampton St.

Applicants may submit multiple designs but will only be selected to create one mural. The deadline for submissions is 5:00 p.m. on May 1, 2023. Winners will be notified by May 15, 2023, with painting to occur on August 11 and 12.

The selected words will be stenciled on the bike path with a 1.5” white outline prior to painters’ arrival on-site. Completed murals will be 6 ft. in height and vary in length depending on the length of the proposed word. MPAC will provide core materials for the project including paint, brushes, containers, drop cloths, and tape.

For more information or to apply, a full prospectus can be found on the Marquette Compass, https://www.mqtcompass.com/opportunities/call-for-submissions-2023-words-to-live-and-bike-by-murals/. For additional information, please contact the City of Marquette Office of Arts & Culture at arts-culture@marquettemi.gov or 906-228-0472.

The offices of the Marquette Board of Light and Power will be closed Friday, April 7, in observance of Good Friday.

Marquette City Manager Karen Kovacs will hold her next community office hours on Wednesday, April 12 from 10 a.m. to noon in the main floor conference room of the Peter White Public Library.  The meeting is intended to provide an informal opportunity to discuss issues within the community, and to give citizens the opportunity for direct dialogue with City staff about interests and concerns.

The Marquette City Planning Commission meeting originally scheduled for April 4, 2023 has been canceled due to lack of business. The next scheduled meeting is April 18, 2023.

West Magnetic Street, between Lincoln Avenue and North Seventh Street, will be closed to through traffic on Monday, March 27 through Wednesday, March 29 for tree work. This closure will begin at 7 a.m. and conclude at 2 p.m. each day. A detour will be provided.

Join us Thursday, March 30 from 6 to 8 p.m., as the City Office of Arts and Culture will host the first-ever State of the Arts event. The event will take place at the Ore Dock Brewing Company and is a social and informational arts advocacy event that will bring together artists, organizations, businesses, and the public to discuss the current state of arts and culture in Marquette.

The event will feature a short, structured presentation that outlines the City's initiatives and resources for local creatives and culture bearers. Attendees will have the opportunity to provide feedback and socialize. The event is free to attend, and the general public is welcome.

State of the Arts is proudly sponsored by Ore Dock Brewing Company. For more information about the event, please visit MQTcompass.com or contact the Office of Arts & Culture at 228-0472 or email arts-culture@marquettemi.gov. Don't miss this opportunity to be a part of shaping the future of arts and culture in Marquette.

Beginning April 3, the City of Marquette will require all boaters to obtain a launch permit to launch a boat at either Cinder Pond or Presque Isle Marinas.

Seasonal launch permits are now available for purchase at Lakeview Arena Parks & Recreation office, located at 401 E. Fair Avenue, the City of Marquette’s Treasurer’s office located at 300 W. Baraga Avenue.  Seasonal launch permits will also be available at Cinder Pond Marina office beginning May 8, 2023.  The cost is $70.00 per seasonal launch permit, and $20.00 for an additional launch permit (restrictions apply).

Daily launch permits are $7.00 and are available in the red launch boxes located at Cinder Pond and Presque Isle Marinas.

On Monday March 27, from 8 to 10 a.m., the eastbound lane in front of 137 West Washington Street will be closed for construction activities. Flag control will be used to direct traffic around the closure area.

The public is advised to use caution when traveling through this area and to be alert for construction and advisory signing.

The Marquette City Planning Commission will conduct a Special Meeting on Thursday March 23rd, beginning at 6 p.m. in the Commission Chambers of City Hall.

The purpose of the meeting is for the presentation of data and information by the consulting group for the Community Master Plan Renewal Project, including summaries of the January online survey, the February listening sessions and open house, and the March online survey.