Marquette Township approves a 10-year TIF to support a planned 48-unit housing development.
Marquette Township, August 23, 2025
At a special meeting the Marquette Township Board approved a 10-year Tax Increment Financing plan to support a proposed 48-unit housing development, moving the project closer to construction. The parcel is expected to transfer to a local homebuilder pending closing paperwork, and construction could occur over the next two years if county approval and additional funding align. Officials said the TIF will divert property tax revenue for roughly a decade to make the project viable amid rising construction costs. Supporters cite increased housing supply and affordability benefits; opponents cited concerns about lost tax revenue.
In a special Friday afternoon meeting, the Marquette Township Board approved a 10-year Tax Increment Financing (TIF) plan designed to move forward a planned 48-unit housing development slated for construction over the next two years. The decision clears a major local hurdle but still requires county-level sign-off and a few final agreements at the township level before the deal is finalized.
– The board approved a 10-year TIF at the special meeting to support a developer’s plan to build 48 new housing units within roughly two years.
– A handoff of the project to a new owner is expected to close in the beginning of September, contingent on final funding and approvals.
– The financing approved by the board still needs formal approval at the county level, so it is not fully final.
The township’s TIF approval means local property tax revenue tied to the development will be diverted from the township’s regular tax rolls for about a decade. Township officials described the vote as difficult because it involves forgoing standard tax receipts for a period of time. Officials stressed their responsibility to manage township assets and to weigh any single project against other potential uses of those tax dollars.
The project has been discussed for years by Renovare, LLC and, more recently, Wildflower Homes, which now intends to take ownership when the sale closes. The owner of Wildflower Homes says the board vote brings the project significantly closer to construction, but noted that final funding from the state housing agency remains a hope rather than a certainty. The approved TIF still needs county approval and several final agreements must be completed in the coming weeks at the township level.
The Marquette County Housing Specialist identified the financing approach as important for keeping costs down for both builders and future homeowners. Local construction costs have risen sharply in recent years, and housing specialists say combining a TIF with other grants and incentives can make it possible to build more affordably than would otherwise be feasible. The addition of 48 new, brand-new units in the county is being described by local housing staff as a significant increase in supply for the area.
The path to this approval has not been smooth. For more than two years, the township board and Renovare discussed the sale of a five-acre parcel intended for a 48-unit community. At one earlier stage, Renovare proposed a 30-year TIF that would have routed tax revenues from the development toward the developer’s purchase payment rather than to the township. That proposal raised concerns about committing tax revenue for decades and the burden that might place on future boards and residents.
In a subsequent regular meeting, an earlier 10-year TIF proposal was presented that would have limited workforce-designated homes to just 13 of the 48 units. That motion failed on a 5-2 vote, effectively halting the earlier plan and prompting officials to say the land might be relisted for sale. The most recent special meeting produced a different 10-year TIF structure that won board approval.
The project team and township will complete several required agreements in the weeks ahead. County-level approval of the TIF is required before tax capture can begin. The developer hopes to close the sale in early September and move into permitting and construction once state funding decisions are finalized and the county signs off.
If all approvals and financing are secured, the project would add a sizable number of new housing units to the township’s inventory within a relatively short timeframe. Local housing officials say this type of public-private financing can help counter the recent rapid rise in construction costs and support more affordable new housing options.
The board approved a 10-year Tax Increment Financing plan intended to support construction of 48 new housing units over the next two years.
The development has been discussed for years by Renovare, LLC; ownership is expected to transfer to Wildflower Homes upon a planned closing in the beginning of September.
The board-level approval is complete, but the TIF still requires county-level approval and several final agreements at the township level before it becomes effective.
Earlier proposals would have included a limited number of workforce-designated homes. The exact breakdown under the newly approved plan depends on the final agreements and funding details that remain to be settled.
Under the TIF, the township will not collect the normal property tax revenue from the development for roughly 10 years; during that time, the captured tax increment is used to support the project in line with the approved financing plan.
Local housing specialists say the financing tool, when combined with grants and other incentives, helps reduce development costs and makes it more feasible to build new units amid rising construction prices.
The developers, township and county must complete required paperwork and approvals. The planned ownership transfer is expected in early September, followed by permitting and construction if state funding is secured and county approval is granted.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Financing tool | 10-year Tax Increment Financing (TIF) |
| Planned units | 48 new housing units |
| Development timeline | Construction expected within two years after closing |
| Ownership | Renovare, LLC (longstanding discussions); Wildflower Homes (expected new owner) |
| Key approvals needed | County-level TIF approval; final township agreements; state funding decisions |
| Expected closing | Beginning of September (contingent) |
| Local housing official | Marquette County Housing Specialist — noted financing helps control costs |
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