A proposal for a new marina at Founders Landing which would use the pilings south of the Lower Harbor Ore Dock. (Journal photo by Andy Nelson-Zaleski)

MARQUETTE — On Monday, members of the Marina Steering Ad-Hoc Committee and consultants with engineering firm AECOM presented a plan for the renovation of Presque Isle Marina and a proposal for a future marina at Founders Landing. The Presque Isle Marina, built in 1969, has crumbling infrastructure and shoaling problems which prohibit many boats from using the facility. The marina’s construction was 90 percent funded by state money, and as part of that deal the city agreed to maintain the harbor in perpetuity. The Marquette City Commission instructed the committee to come up with a renovation project costing no more than $2.5 million. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment’s Waterways Commission will pay half that cost, according to city officials. Mike Pond and Tony Schomin, with AECOM, recommended the renovation be done in phases because of an anticipated limited amount of funding on the state level.