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CITY OF MUSKEGON
CITY COMMISSION WORKSESSION
September 8, 2025 @ 5:30 PM
MUSKEGON CITY COMMISSION CHAMBERS
933 TERRACE STREET, MUSKEGON, MI 49440
MINUTES
The Commission Worksession Meeting of the City of Muskegon was held at City
Hall, 933 Terrace Street, Muskegon, Michigan at 5:30 p.m., Monday, September
8, 2025.
Present: Mayor Ken Johnson, Vice Mayor Rebecca St. Clair, Commissioners Jay
Kilgo, Destinee Keener (left at 7:50 p.m.), Willie German, Jr., Rachel Gorman,
and Katrina Kochin, City Manager Jonathan Seyferth, and City Clerk Ann Marie
Meisch.
2025-72 NEW BUSINESS
A. Fisherman's Landing/Third Street Wharf Lake Front
Development Manager's Office
For several months, the City Manager and legal counsel have been working
with Mart Dock on the potential transition of Fisherman’s Landing Campground
into a commercial port. A draft of the proposed agreement is available. Please
note that the exhibits are not yet finalized, as staff would like Commission
feedback before investing resources in their preparation. Final consideration
and potential adoption of this agreement is anticipated in November 2025.
Following our public engagement sessions in early 2025, staff continued
discussions with the Mart Dock team regarding the potential long-term lease of
the Fisherman’s Landing campground and its redevelopment into an active
port. Before the commission tonight is a draft development agreement that
outlines how the arrangement would function.
Key points include:
(Numbers/letters in parentheses refer to the relevant section and subsection of
the agreement.)
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• The City would lease Fisherman’s Landing to Mart Dock for 50 years, with
an optional 40-year renewal. Mart Dock would also have the option to
purchase the site after 2028. (2 (a))
• The campground will remain in operation until the City closes
on/acquires the conversion property (Verplank acreage). (2 (b))
• The City would purchase 2.5 acres of the Third Street Wharf property,
using a portion of the $2.8 million state appropriation to cover costs. (3)
• The City would agree to riparian restrictions at Third Street Wharf to
safeguard docking (cruise ships) and launching activities. (3 (a))
Funding:
• The City will sponsor or co-sponsor with Mart Dock grants for port
infrastructure at Fisherman’s Landing (most likely Port Infrastructure
Development grants). (6)
• The City would be compensated for the Fisherman’s Landing property
and use those funds to acquire the Verplank property (with additional
funding required to complete the purchase). (2 (d))
• The $2.8 million state enhancement grant (of which the City already
holds one-quarter) would support: (5)
o Acquisition and improvements to the City-acquired Third Street
property
o A minimum of 50%—or $1 million, whichever is greater—for sewer
relocation and preservation of the LST and Silversides
• If Mart Dock/the City secures a Port Infrastructure Development Grant
and operations begin at Fisherman’s Landing, Mart Dock must cease
operations at Mart Dock Proper within five years (extendable one year at
a time at the City Manager’s discretion). (2 (g))
• A deed restriction would be placed on the Mart Dock Parcel, requiring
commission approval to amend or remove. This restriction runs with the
land and applies to current and future owners. (2 (h))
o Prohibited uses: All port operations, including cargo handling,
container storage, freight loading/unloading, and related logistics
o Permitted uses:
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Cruise ship operations and related activities
Boat storage, service, and repair (current allowable use
under zoning via Special Land Use)
Marinas (by-right use under current zoning)
• Mart Dock Proper would be rezoned to Waterfront Industrial PUD (zoning
ordinance), with final approval to occur alongside the agreement. (2 (e))
• Fisherman’s Landing would also be rezoned to Waterfront Industrial PUD
at the same time. This is not explicitly stated in the agreement because,
as property owner, the City has sole authority to initiate the rezoning.
This summary highlights the main elements of the agreement. Staff will present
additional details at Monday night’s work session, providing context and
connecting this draft to the earlier public engagement presentations.
City Manager Jonathan Seyferth gave the presentation and answered
questions.
Chuck Canestraight, Lead Executive Operator for Mart Dock spoke on the
proposed agreement.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Public comments received.
ADJOURNMENT
The Commission Worksession Meeting adjourned at 9:55 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Ann Marie Meisch, MMC City Clerk
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