Tentative Vista Theater Purchase Agreement

The Negaunee City Council took action at a special meeting where they approved two agreements between the city and Peninsula Arts Appreciation Council (PAAC). The first agreement transfers ownership of the Vista Theater Building to the City of Negaunee should a competitive grant being sought by the Marquette County Land Bank Authority be awarded. The second agreement provides access to the site.

The competitive grant offered though the State Land Bank Authority seeks to eliminate blighted buildings. Blight elimination can come in the form of demolition or building stabilization. In the case of the Vista Theater Building, funds would be used to stabilize the building by constructing a roof on the building and removing negative environmental factors from inside the building. Should the grant be awarded the project would be administered by County Land Bank Authority, with an estimated cost of $470K.  

The city’s costs in this project will be $1.00 to be paid to PAAC. The city will also need to seek out additional funding to either restore the theater or to find a private investor for an alternative use.

The application for the competitive grant will be submitted by May, 31. If awarded, more information will be released at that time.

Questions concerning this release may be directed to the attention of the City Manager, Nate Heffron at (906) 475-7700 ext. 11.