Posted on August 4, 2025
MANISTEE — A master plan for Manistee’s four beaches could be approved this week.
Manistee City Council is expected to take action on a master plan for First Street Beach, Fifth Avenue Beach, Man Made Lake and North Beach Access during its regular meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday in council chambers at Manistee City Hall.
The city has been working with Spicer Group on a “comprehensive and inclusive public planning process to shape the future of the four city parks along Lake Michigan,” reads the council agenda.
“These plans reflect extensive community input and professional analysis, ensuring that each park meets the evolving needs of residents and visitors alike,” according to the agenda.
“A master plan is a policy document that expresses intent. It is not an enforceable document and is not law,” according to Michigan State University Extension. “(It is) a policy document that guides the physical development of a community.”
A master plan document can help inform zoning ordinances and other regulations.
The council agenda packet documents show the First Street Beach area divided into two — north and south of First Street — with separate suggested features for each. Goals or suggestions for improvements for each beach include the following:
- First Street — plan A (north of First Street): band shell and restrooms;
- First Street — plan B (south of First Street): splash pad, multigenerational area, sand volleyball and a fitness station;
- Fifth Avenue: shade structures, tetherball and a bike repair station;
- Man Made Lake: bathroom, overlook area, bike repair station and a boardwalk;
- North Beach: parking expansion, water station, bike repair station, bathroom.
The Manistee Parks Commission recommended adoption of the plan during its July 17 meeting.
The Manistee County Sport Fishing Association’s Kids Fish event is held June 19, 2024 on Man Made Lake in Manistee. Under the city’s proposed beach master plan, the area could see updates including a bathroom and boardwalk.
Public hearings
The meeting will begin with three public hearings so the public can provide input on the creation of three Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act districts downtown.
The city is requesting the establishment of OPRA districts for an area in the vicinity of the following:
- 87 Division St., formerly Wahr Hardware;
- 375 River St., the Manistee County Savings Bank building which currently houses PNC Bank and a handful of other businesses; and
- 453 River St., currently houses the Manistee Republican Party headquarters.
Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce director of economic development Andrew Stafford has been working to make it easier for three sites in the city of Manistee to be developed in the future.
“(It’s) a proactive step the city can take to show their commitment to redevelopments, and it allows a developer to come in and kind of have a more streamlined process to tax incentives on certain properties that need it,” Stafford had said.
After property tours with the city assessor and building inspector, all three sites have been determined to be obsolete.
“In this context, obsolete means the properties are no longer functional or viable for their intended use due to outdated design, changes in market demand or physical deterioration,” reads a memo from Stafford to city council.
“It is important to note that establishing an OPRA district does not automatically provide a tax incentive. Instead, it confirms that the property is eligible for future OPRA incentives should a developer submit a qualifying application,” the memo continues. “This step removes uncertainty for prospective investors and demonstrates the city’s willingness to support redevelopment initiatives.”
According to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act provides for a tax incentive to encourage the redevelopment of obsolete buildings.
“A community essentially freezes the existing taxable value on a designated facility for up to 12 years,” reads an MEDC fact sheet, in part. “Additionally, the state treasurer may approve reductions of half of the school operating and state education taxes for a period not to exceed six years for 25 applications annually for rehabilitated facilities.
“By freezing the taxable value, it provides an incentive for the developer to make significant improvements to a building without increasing the property taxes on the building.”
Action items
Other action items on the agenda include:
- Recognizing Aaron Snay for his lifesaving actions at Manistee Lake on July 11;
- A proclamation to name August 2025 as United States Coast Guard Month in the city of Manistee;
- A Consumers Energy proposal to install Victorian-style ornamental streetlights along Maple Street, between River and First Streets, at a cost of $43,979.80
- Designating a voting delegate for the Michigan Municipal League annual meeting.
- Approving an Obsolete Property Rehabilitation District for the property located at 375 River St.;
- Approving an Obsolete Property Rehabilitation District for the property located at 453 River St.; and
- Approving an Obsolete Property Rehabilitation District for the property located at 87 Division St.
The meeting also will include a report from City Assessor Molly Whetstone.
Manistee City Hall is located at 70 Maple St. in Manistee.
First Street Beach is located on the westernmost part of First Street in Manistee.
