Houghton Police Announce They are Approved to Start Accreditation Process

At last night’s Houghton City Council meet the members approved a lot split near Razorback Drive. The lot is being split to move the storm water pond for the coming extended stay hotel. MEDC finished their visit to the city of Houghton, now the city is waiting for a memo from the group detailing what sites may be primed for redevelopment. City Manager Eric Waara was also made aware of another grant program that Houghton is eligible for through the redevelopment ready community program. The match on main grant allows the city to submit two applications on the behalf of downtown businesses. The grant requires a 10 percent match for up to 25,000 dollars in funding. Only one community will receive the match on main grant, though the city has a decent shot because of little competition in the Upper Peninsula.

The Houghton Police Department is now approved to begin the two year process of accrediting the department. Accreditation is common among larger department, Marquette P.D. being the only accredited department in the upper peninsula. Houghton will look to join them in those ranks. Council members were also in agreement on the 425 staged process plan to annex the Sharon Avenue lot sited for the new county jail. This is the first step to the county building a new facility to house the jail and sheriff’s department.

Tentative sates have been set for the next parking deck engagement session for November 10^th. Council members also set dates for the November and December meetings. Those will be November 17^th, December 1^st, and 15^th. Last but not least treat street will be this Saturday starting at 4 pm. Unfortunately there will be no haunted house in the city center, but the chamber of commerce will have a petting zoo and pony rides for kids on Saturday.