Home City Services Development Services Planning Current Projects Master Land Use Plan Update Master Plan Feedback Form Master Plan Feedback Form Name First Last Email Are you a City of Muskegon resident?(Required) Yes No Address(Required) Street Address Neighborhood AssociationAngell NeighborhoodBeachwood-Bluffton NeighborhoodCampbell Field NeighborhoodEast Muskegon NeighborhoodGlenside NeighborhoodJackson Hill NeighborhoodLakeside NeighborhoodMarquette NeighborhoodMarsh Field NeighborhoodMcLaughlin NeighborhoodNelson NeighborhoodNims NeighborhoodNortheast NeighborhoodOakview NeighborhoodSheldon Park NeighborhoodSteele NeighborhoodWhich topic(s) would you like to give feedback on? Angell Neighborhood Beachwood-Bluffton Neighborhood Campbell Field Neighborhood East Muskegon Neighborhood Glenside Neighborhood Jackson Hill Neighborhood Lakeside Neighborhood Marquette Neighborhood Marsh Field Neighborhood McLaughlin Neighborhood Nelson Neighborhood Nims Neighborhood Northeast Neighborhood Oakview Neighborhood Sheldon Park Neighborhood Steele Neighborhood Transportation and Mobility Natural Features and Recreation/Entertainment Economic Development Housing and Neighborhoods Angell Neighborhood GoalsFor more information regarding the individual goals of Angell Neighborhood click here.Restore the former farmers market site to a natural greenspace.Redevelopment options are limited due to poor soil conditions, contamination, and costly infrastructure needs. The majority of the property should be used for open space recreation and/or conservation. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Improve connections through Green Acres Park and along Ryerson Creek.Much of the neighborhood north of Apple Avenue is a short walk to Ryerson Creek. With improvements, the creek and surrounding wetlands can be more visually and physically accessible to residents. Increased visibility could also lessen instances of illegal dumping. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Protect the watershed and limit development along wetlands near Ryerson Creek.Much of the land along the creek is cannot be developed because it is located in a floodplain. Inappropriate zoning designations should be changed to ensure protection of the creek and its wetlands. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Redevelop the Spring Street/Myrtle Avenue/Allen Avenue/Jay Street area.Almost every building within this area has been demolished in anticipation of future development. Efforts should be made to redevelop the land in a way that meets current needs, and utilizes the existing street grid. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Provide connections to the citywide and regional non-motorized path network.The Lakeshore Trail on the north end of the neighborhood is nearby, but difficult to access due to the highway. The Laketon Trail on the south end of Angell is more accessible, but no formal route connects the two. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Redevelop vacant residential lots throughout the neighborhood.The neighborhood has a high number of vacant lots, both privately- and publicly-owned. Residential redevelopment of these lots is a priority to make up for the tax revenues lost when the former houses were demolished. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Correct the zoning designations throughout the residential sections of the neighborhood to reflect the type of housing that exists.Many multiple-family houses are improperly zoned for single-family use, restricting financing options and limiting the ability of their owners to fund maintenance projects. Many other building types (churches, former storefronts) exist throughout Angell but have outlived their original use; reuse options are commonly limited to single-family housing. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Feedback/CommentsBeachwood-Bluffton Neighborhood GoalsFor more information regarding the individual goals of Beachwood-Bluffton Neighborhood click here.Mitigate flooding from high-water events.While short-term fixes were most recently utilized during high-water levels in 2019, more permanent mitigation measures should be explored to reducing the impact of flooding in the future. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Extend the Lakeshore Trail north to Channel Drive.The Lakeshore Trail effectively ends at the Beach Street roundabout, leaving those using the trail with limited options to continue on to Pere Marquette Park, Margaret Drake Elliott Park, the Muskegon channel, and Harbour Towne Beach. Temporary bicycle facilities should evolve to incorporate a more permanent, safe, and comfortable route. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Balance access needs while preserving the natural character of the Lake Michigan beaches.Parking spaces range from being in high demand to almost no demand depending on the time of the year, but one thing that is consistent is the difficulty of balancing the parking supply with preservation of the beaches’ natural beauty. Development of a strategy that identifies a multi-faceted approach to this issue is needed. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Beautify the marina district along Lakeshore Drive between Cottage Grove and Edgewater.Boat storage is a necessity along the lake, but such a use of land is not always the most visually appealing. Efforts to beautify the area will make the route to the beach more inviting to residents and visitors. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Strengthen non-motorized connections to Muskegon County’s Dune Harbor Park.Phase two of Dune Harbor Park borders the city of Muskegon along Sherman Boulevard, which does not contain adequate non-motorized/active transportation facilities. It will be important to offer safe and convenient facilities for alternative transportation along this busy corridor. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Permit housing types that allow neighborhood residents to “age in place".One of the benefits offered by housing choice comes in the ability of residents to continue living in their neighborhood as they age. As housing circumstances change, it is important to provide an array of housing situations that cater to people in various stage of life. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Feedback/CommentsCampbell Field Neighborhood GoalsFor more information regarding the individual goals of Campbell Field Neighborhood click here.Improve the sidewalk network throughout the neighborhood.The sidewalk network is very incomplete throughout the neighborhood. Both individual parcels and entire streets lack any sidewalks despite numerous destinations being within walking distance of residents. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Conserve the woodlands abutting Ruddiman Creek.The 30-acre wooded property adjacent to Ruddiman Creek is within the McGraft charter park. It’s current zoning designation should be changed from recreation to conservation to preserve the land in its natural state. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Provide non-motorized transportation options for neighborhood residents to safely access the Sherman/Henry business corridor.The street grid is disrupted on the south end of the neighborhood, disconnecting many residents from the commercial development on Sherman and parts of Henry. Non-motorized connections could be established to provide residents with an alternative to driving to access these destinations. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Right-size overbuilt streets throughout the neighborhood.Major streets through the neighborhood like Hackley Avenue, Glenside Boulevard, and Henry Street are likely oversized for the amount of traffic they carry. Improving the conditions of these streets for people traveling outside of vehicles would permit safe, comfortable, and convenient access to nearby destinations for residents. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Pave Hudson Street to Pulaski Avenue and redevelop the vacant lots.Hudson Street between Pulaski and Barney Avenue is currently a dead-end street, but connecting it to Dowd Street and Kinsey Street via Pulaski would allow for addition of new houses in the neighborhood. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Conduct a redevelopment feasibility study for the property at 2490 Barclay Street.This large parcel was once reserved for a second phase of the subdivision development to its west, but was not completed due to contamination in the land. A redevelopment feasibility study for the property could initiate development efforts again. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Feedback/CommentsEast Muskegon Neighborhood GoalsFor more information regarding the individual goals of East Muskegon Neighborhood click here.Acquire residential property in the Medendorp Industrial Park that is already zoned for industrial uses.The small residential pocket east of Madison and north of Keating measures about 11 acres and has been zoned industrial for the past 30 years in anticipation of future industrial expansion. The expansion has not occurred and has led to disinvestment in the housing stock. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Strategically utilize the remaining medically-zoned property.The expanding medical campus has few parcels left for development. Zoning regulations could be updated to require more efficient use of land. Other parcels zoned for business on Roberts Street, south of Little Black Creek, may be well suited for medical development as well. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Utilize the former railroad right-of-way for a bike path connection and industrial expansion.The former railroad right-of-way running east/west through the neighborhood and could be an extension of the Musketawa Trail, or an option for industrial expansion, if needed. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Increase safety measures at the highway interchange at US 31/Sherman.This highway interchange is one of the most dangerous in Muskegon County in terms of vehicle crashes. The bridge also does not provide adequate space for pedestrians, limiting access to the businesses east of the highway. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Improve pedestrian access through the industrial and medical campuses.The industrial and medical campus areas in the neighborhood do not contain adequate pedestrian access. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Provide more affordable housing options near employment centers like the industrial parks and heavy commercial districts.As an employment center, the neighborhood hosts thousands of jobs. Possibilities exist to develop housing options on land available near employers. Shorter, potentially multi-modal commutes, would reduce traffic congestion during peak travel times. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Increase accessibility to Little Black Creek.Little Black Creek winds through the neighborhood, but is rarely visible and nearly inaccessible. There are a number of publicly-owned parcels through which the creek runs, but there are few protections in place to ensure that the creek is not subject to further disruption by surrounding development. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Feedback/CommentsGlenside Neighborhood GoalsFor more information regarding the individual goals of Glenside Neighborhood click here.Improve and expand the business corridor along Sherman Boulevard.Businesses along Sherman are within walking distance of most Glenside residents, but the presence of heavy and fast-moving traffic on the street and the resulting parking lot frontages makes the business corridor uninviting to those outside of vehicles. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Maintain a healthy tree canopy with an abundance of oak trees.Most of Glenside’s iconic oak trees are located on private property, making maintenance the responsibility of property owners. The expertise of the City’s Forestry Department helps with planting of new trees in public areas, but could be expanded with guidance and education for homeowners. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Create a complete sidewalk network throughout the neighborhood.Despite most streets carrying light traffic at slow speeds, missing sections of sidewalk leave residents with an incomplete network. Priority should be guided by resident input. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Connect Glenside to the Lakeshore Trail.No formal non-motorized path exists between the Lakeshore Trail and the neighborhood, but uninterrupted public park space connects the two. An appropriate route could be determined with resident input, and a paved trail could be established. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Connect the Glenside and Lakeside neighborhoods with non-motorized paths.A non-motorized connection between these neighborhoods could replace an established – though informal – footpath that utilizes a former railroad corridor. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Feedback/CommentsJackson Hill Neighborhood GoalsFor more information regarding the individual goals of Jackson Hill Neighborhood click here.Protect wildlife by improving wildlife connections between large natural areas.With Fourmile and Ryerson Creeks bordering the neighborhood to the north and south, respectively, Jackson Hill is also home to a variety of wildlife that often travel between the two creeks. Development of a wildlife corridor plan could identify opportunities to better connect the neighborhood’s natural areas. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Bring neighborhood-serving commercial businesses back to Jackson Hill.An array of neighborhood-serving businesses once existed, supported by residents, but many have left or closed. Efforts to promote grassroots businesses owned by neighborhood residents, and existing for residents, could reintroduce such amenities to Jackson Hill. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Protect remaining historic sites to the extent possible.Jackson Hill has lost many of its historic structures, and disinvestment continues to threaten those buildings that remain. These structures must be documented and researched, and viable uses for them made possible to ensure their futures. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Right-size overbuilt streets.Major streets through the neighborhood like Marquette and Getty are likely oversized for the amount of traffic they carry. Traffic studies could support “road diets” to right-size the number of lanes and make these streets safer for all who use them. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Continue to relocate waterfront industrial and shipping uses to the east end of Muskegon lake.Efforts for the past several decades have called for concentrating waterfront industrial and shipping uses at the east end of the lake. Many of such remaining uses are already located in this area, but incentives should be explored to continue this trend. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Increase access to the Muskegon Lake shoreline.The Imagine Muskegon Lake Plan includes a series of recommendations for better connecting the neighborhood to the Muskegon Lake shoreline. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Redevelop vacant residential lots throughout the neighborhood.The neighborhood contains many vacant, city-owned lots which historically contained houses, and many of missing middle types. The loss of a tax base associated with the properties strains the City’s ability to provide essential services to its residents. Vacant lots can also be a financial burden to maintain, with neglected properties creating blight throughout the neighborhood. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Feedback/CommentsLakeside Neighborhood GoalsFor more information regarding the individual goals of Lakeside Neighborhood click here.Support efforts to redevelop the former papermill site with residential, commercial and recreational uses.Continuing the partnership between the City of Muskegon and the private owners of the former paper mill site will ensure that a development that benefits the Lakeside neighborhood and the city as a whole. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Promote the small business districts along Sherman Blvd with streetscape improvements and expansion of zoning designations that allow for business uses.Mixed commercial and residential land uses on Sherman at McCracken and at Lincoln are no conducive to business expansion. A flexible zoning designation that allows for residential, commercial, or mixed use development would suit this area, and a unified approach with the City of Norton Shores would encourage a similar approach on the south side of Sherman Boulevard. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Enhance public amenities near Seyferth Park/Lakeside Cemetery/Bunker SchoolCentrally-located in the neighborhood, this cluster of civic and recreational uses could benefit from additional public realm amenities such as lighting, benches, sidewalk connections, and improved crosswalks. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Enhance connections to Glenside through public easement improvements and the redevelopment of 1745 Greenwood Street.Underground infrastructure in the public easement from Greenwood to Sherman prohibits the southerly extension of Greenwood. A footpath already connecting the neighborhood to Sherman could be improved. The undevelopable land to the north could be used as additional public space like a community garden or an extension of the natural space near the wetlands. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Feedback/CommentsMarquette Neighborhood GoalsFor more information regarding the individual goals of Marquette Neighborhood click here.Create a bike path along Marquette Avenue.The driving lanes on Marquette Avenue are excessively wide, leaving space to incorporate on-street bicycle facilities. Such a route would be an opportunity to connect to the larger non-motorized transportation network. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Protect natural areas and wildlife. Improve wildlife connections between large natural areas.Marquette is bordered by natural areas to the north and the south. Ryerson Creek (south) and Fourmile Creek/Sanford Bayou (north) meander through wetlands and forests at the bottom of ravines. These areas are home to many different species of wildlife, which often traverse between the two locations. Opportunities exist to extend natural features farther into the neighborhood. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Reestablish a tree canopy over Marquette Avenue.The terraces along Marquette Avenue are too narrow to support large species of trees – such as oaks, which are predominant in the neighborhood – so a public-private partnership could allow for trees to be planted on land owned by participating partners. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Create an identity for the Getty/Marquette intersection.This underutilized, quasi-business corridor has the potential to become more of a community asset through the addition of more commercial, residential, or public space options. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Explore a community room addition at the Marquette Avenue fire station.Fire Station #5 on Marquette Avenue has potential for community event space/additions. The large outdoor space fronting Ducey Avenue provides an opportunity for building expansion or recreation. Additionally, it has been discussed in recent years to relocate this fire station. If that is pursued, the City should explore options to keep this facility as a community resource. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Create a landscape buffer between Broadmoor Street and US-31.Some landscaping already exists in this area, but it is fairly sparse. A complete wall of various plant species could reduce noise and air pollution in the neighborhood. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Feedback/CommentsMarsh Field Neighborhood GoalsFor more information regarding the individual goals of Marsh Field Neighborhood click here.Improve pedestrian crossing points across Laketon Avenue.Heavy and fast-moving traffic on Laketon Avenue divides the neighborhood, serving as a dangerous barrier for residents trying to cross. Discussion with neighborhood residents and patrons of Laketon businesses will help to determine key crossing locations where safer conditions can be created. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Better define the commercial districts on Laketon Avenue and redevelop the underutilized properties on the south side.The business district along Laketon Avenue is not well-defined throughout the neighborhood, and long-term vacant or otherwise inactive buildings are prominent in some areas. More flexible zoning regulations could encourage reuse of buildings, allowing the corridor to better adapt to the changing demands of the real estate market. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Re-utilize the former railroad right-of-way for recreational opportunities.Development of the utility corridor and former railroad right-of-way paralleling Keating Avenue is limited, but a few potential low-impact uses may be possible. A non-motorized transportation route or pollinator habitat could make use of an otherwise utilitarian area within the neighborhood. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Increase access between city limits with Muskegon Heights.The former railroad right-of-way limited access points between Muskegon and Muskegon Heights, resulting in many dead-end streets in each municipality. Now that the railroad is gone, there is now the potential to reknit the two sides by improving the many informal footpaths and two-track connections. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Conduct an industrial redevelopment study for the under-developed industrial land south of Holbrook Avenue in the southwest corner of the neighborhood.Over 11 acres of former railroad right-of-way exists in an industrial area of the neighborhood offering possibilities for industrial development or expansion of existing industries. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Feedback/CommentsMcLaughlin Neighborhood GoalsFor more information regarding the individual goals of McLaughlin Neighborhood click here.Redevelop the former commercial buildings at Irwin Avenue and Terrace Street.This underutilized commercial district contains mostly vacant retail buildings that are beginning to cause blight. Although some longstanding vacant buildings may need to be demolished, existing residential and office/service uses have seen success and should be considered for buildings where retail is struggling. Additional residential units near this intersection could provide the traffic needed for neighborhood-serving businesses. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Redevelop Muskegon County’s former South Campus and re-establish its street grid, where possible.Attracting new office tenants could fill the existing buildings, but reusing all of them may prove difficult. Through the years, Hartford Avenue, Diana Avenue, and Spring Street were vacated to create a campus, which served former uses well, but limited connectivity with the McLaughlin neighborhood. Future uses or redevelopment of the site may find value in reestablishing public rights-of-way and various lost street connections. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Redevelop vacant residential lots throughout the neighborhood.Many vacant, City-owned lots in the neighborhood historically contained houses, with many of them being missing middle housing types. The lost tax base once provided by these houses strains the City’s ability to provide essential services to its residents. The current vacant lots can also be a financial burden to maintain, with neglected properties creating blight throughout the neighborhood. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Establish a bike path connection to downtown on the former railroad right-of-way along Ambrosia.Acquire the former railroad right-of-way along Ambrosia Street and construct a non-motorized trail connecting the neighborhood to the Lakeshore Trail and downtown waterfront, the Laketon Trail, and the regional, Musketawa Trail. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Correct the zoning designations throughout the residential sections of the neighborhood to reflect the type of housing that exists.The neighborhood contains 120 examples of missing middle housing types that are primarily located in areas zoned for single-family housing, making them all non-conforming. Non-conforming uses are restricted when it comes to financing options for needed property maintenance. Restrictive zoning designations also limit new missing middle housing types on vacant lots. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Feedback/CommentsNelson Neighborhood GoalsFor more information regarding the individual goals of Nelson Neighborhood click here.Reutilize vacant, interior commercial/industrial buildings.Vacant commercial and industrial buildings can be found scattered throughout the neighborhood. Options exist for reuse of these buildings, but acceptable uses should be better defined to avoid long-term vacancy or neglect. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Provide small-to-medium sized retail spaces for retail incubation and growth.Small business incubator spaces exist in a few places in Nelson, but a gap exists in “next-step” storefront options for small or new businesses. Moderately-sized commercial buildings or small retail units between 500 and 2,000 square feet would allow growing businesses to continue to do so. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Redevelop the former industrial property at Laketon Avenue and Seaway Drive.Large formerly industrial parcels exist throughout the city and are often adjacent to residential areas that grew up around former employment centers. The site at Laketon and Seaway offers huge redevelopment potential for the neighborhood. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Protect the aging housing stock.Many houses in the neighborhood were constructed many generations ago, and are beginning to show major signs of distress. In 2017, grant funds enabled the City to demolish dozens of homes in the neighborhood that were neglected to the point of being unsalvageable. Greater effort must be provided to protect the aging housing stock and avoid future large-scale demolition. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Protect historic buildings and complete the historic infill program on Muskegon Avenue.Nelson is home to several historic districts and a handful of properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Unfortunately, some historically significant structures risk demolition due to neglect or the inability to find an owner willing to restore the property. The City of Muskegon’s historic infill program resulted in the relocation of several historic houses to Muskegon and Webster Avenues between 4th and 5th Streets, and the City owns one remaining lot in this area. Efforts should be made to relocate another historic house to this site rather than new construction. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Partner with schools and faith-based institutions to fully utilize recreational amenities, meeting spaces, kitchens and gathering halls.The neighborhood is home to six educational facilities, nine faith-based institutions and three government facilities. Many of these sites contain amenities that are underutilized and sometimes underfunded. The City should assist in neighborhood residents’ efforts to utilize these facilities, which in turn could assist in funding efforts. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Feedback/CommentsNims Neighborhood GoalsFor more information regarding the individual goals of Nims Neighborhood click here.Increase public access points to the Lakeshore Trail.Public access points to the Lakeshore Trail from the neighborhood are limited and somewhat difficult to find where they do exist. Increasing the frequency of formal access points to and from the Nims’ residential areas will bring many residents within reach of open space and the waterfront. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Reutilize the numerous vacant commercial buildings scattered throughout the residential sections of the neighborhood.Reuse of such buildings has proven to be difficult as current zoning regulations restrict business uses to those that are least likely to be a nuisance to neighbors. Some restaurant and retail operations have seen success, but as non-conforming uses, building expansions are limited. Allowing the conversion to missing middle housing types may also aid in redevelopment of some vacant, blighted properties. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Calm traffic near the Lakeshore/Palmer intersection.The 2019 Lakeshore Drive reconstruction project made many needed improvements to pedestrian access across Laketon Avenue, but those improvements did not extend east to Palmer Avenue. Calming traffic on Laketon near Palmer would better connect the neighborhood to the north with the businesses to the south. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Create more useful public space by connecting unnecessary traffic islands to their adjacent blocksThe neighborhood’s unique street grid contains a handful of small, triangular traffic islands within the public right-of-way. These islands are bound by streets on three sides, though not all three are always necessary. With park space largely concentrated along the perimeter of the neighborhood, near downtown, and along the waterfront, these traffic islands could instead be linked to blocks to serve as parks or playgrounds closer to residents. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Preserve and enhance the neighborhood’s unique physical features including historic buildings, and views created by the street grid.Unique angled streets create highly-visible sites for significant civic buildings. The neighborhood does not presently contain any designated historic districts or sites listed in the National Register of Historic Places, but a State of Michigan Historic Marker acknowledges the area known as Pinchtown. Nims contains some architecturally significant houses as well as some potentially historically significant sites that should be recognized. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Feedback/CommentsNortheast Neighborhood GoalsFor more information regarding the individual goals of Northeast Neighborhood click here.Organize a neighborhood organization and create an official name.This area of the City is often underrepresented at planning and goal setting meetings. It also has a high concentration of renters, a demographic that is also underrepresented at City functions. A functional neighborhood organization could help the City hear the voice of marginalized groups Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Redevelop the former hospital campus.The 26-acre site contains the vacant former hospital building. The existing medical care zoning designation will eventually need to be changed to accommodate redevelopment efforts when they are identified. Vacated street easement could be reestablished to create a traditional street grid. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Revitalize the office park adjacent to the hospital property.There are 15 office buildings on Wagner Ave, Wells Ave and Riley St but they remain mostly vacant or underutilized and have had a difficult time attracting tenants since the closing of the hospital. These properties are owned independently and are not associated with the hospital property. Many of the buildings are starting to deteriorate and owners are reluctant to invest in an area with much uncertainty. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Create a neighborhood center at the intersection of Marquette Avenue and Quarterline Road.Dense residential development, the college, and office uses bring many people to this area, but there is no place for residents to gather. There are no civic or government buildings, and the college’s facilities are often restricted to students. This intersection is close to the surrounding apartment complexes and offers opportunities for community improvements through private investment. New development should focus on density, mixed-uses, small setbacks, and pedestrian amenities. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Oakview Neighborhood GoalsFor more information regarding the individual goals of Oakview Neighborhood click here.Plan for housing in areas that have underperformed with their commercial designations.Many houses along Getty Street are zoned for business due to a previous effort to expand commercial development in the area. This expansion never came and seems unlikely to happen today. Demand for commercial development along Getty, Apple Avenue, and Laketon Avenue has decreased in recent years as online retail and other consumer trends result in vacant commercial buildings. This area could instead benefit from the more diverse housing options to meet the needs of the neighborhood. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Create a neighborhood center at the intersection of Madison Street and Forest Avenue.Even though this intersection is heavily trafficked and contains a church and mixed-use building, its zoning classification only allows for single-family detached housing. This restricts the mix of land uses that are characteristic of a neighborhood center, and limit options for reuse of existing buildings. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Increase pedestrian safety and mobility by right-sizing overbuilt streets.Streets like Evanston and Creston would benefit from narrowed travel lanes and possibly a reduction in or elimination of parking lanes. Most commercial and residential properties in the neighborhood contain off-street parking spaces, lessening the use of on-street spaces. The unused on-street parking lanes often go unused, effectively creating wide driving lanes that encourage faster speeds. This additional pavement is still maintained in the form of snow removal, maintenance, and repaving, even though the extra space rarely serves its purpose. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Redevelop lots near Laketon Avenue to provide a greater number of residents the ability to utilize its central location, pedestrian amenities and transportation choices.Turner Avenue offers another potential area to introduce new housing options. Lot sizes could accommodate additional housing units within duplex and small-multiplex formats. Its limited access to the neighborhood and proximity to a major street (Laketon), transit, and the Laketon Tail make it a candidate for dense, residential development. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Provide a bike path connection to downtown.The former railroad property off of Getty near Laketon could provide an extension of the bike path leading to downtown. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Feedback/CommentsSheldon Park Neighborhood GoalsFor more information regarding the individual goals of Sheldon Park Neighborhood click here.Improve pedestrian infrastructure on Apple Avenue and Getty Street.Access to the existing commercial corridors from the neighborhood could be improved through the addition of wider sidewalks, high-visibility crosswalks, street trees and landscaping, and a maintenance plan. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Plan for redevelopment of civic buildings and their associated, undeveloped land.The neighborhood contains many civic buildings, such as churches and schools, which account for nearly 33-acres of land. If these buildings’ current uses ever leave them, all of these properties are limited in their redevelopment options due to their restrictive zoning classifications. Permitted land uses should be expanded to allow for more options for redeveloping these buildings – like offices and multiple-family housing – while still permitting their existing uses. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Focus development of new multiple-family housing near the neighborhood’s commercial corridors.Serve as a buffer/transition from the residential core of the neighborhood, provide a steady customer base for neighborhood-serving businesses, and provide much-needed housing options in the neighborhood. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Better connect the school campus and Sheldon Park across Madison Street.The school’s re-envisioning of their outdoor recreational space would open up opportunities for public use after school hours if the access across Madison Street for pedestrians was improved through traffic-calming measures. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Feedback/CommentsSteele Neighborhood GoalsFor more information regarding the individual goals of Steele Neighborhood click here.Redevelop the former middle school in a way that is beneficial to the neighborhood.Upon the school’s closing, redevelopment efforts should begin as soon as possible before the building falls into disrepair or shortly after its demolition if that is the district’s plan. Residential and office uses are most common when redeveloping a former school, but the current zoning does not allow for those uses. Also, neighbors utilize the open space/fields during off-hours, but those amenities are threatened with the closing. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Improve public access along Ryerson Creek.Nearly the entirety of the creek bed is publicly-owned, but access to the natural areas are largely limited to established City parks and cross streets like Getty and Home. Potential trail improvements along the creek offer an opportunity for hiking and a connection to Muskegon Lake. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Redevelop vacant residential lots that historically contained houses.Although there are minimal vacant residential lots in the neighborhood, there are several properties that have acquired other buildable lots to increase their parcel size. These properties are underutilized because they previously contained homes that paid for the infrastructure (streets, sewers, etc.) and services that they use. It should be encouraged that such large conglomerations of parcels be returned to their original sizes. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Clean up 808 Oak Street and redevelop with residential uses.The former greenhouse at 808 Oak Avenue is underutilized. Its zoning designation limits redevelopment of the 9.1-acre property, and much of the land’s north end is in a floodplain. This property, along with other lots on the north side of Oak, could offer a unique opportunity for multi-family housing. Its 220 feet of frontage could also provide space for other types of housing, such as a cottage court development. A public easement could be established for the area in the floodplain to connect walking paths. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Feedback/CommentsTransportation & MobilityDesign streets to safely accommodate all users of the street equitably, putting people first.A balance in the needs of all types of traffic – auto, bicycle, and pedestrian – is critical to maximizing mobility for all users of the city’s streets regardless of how they choose to travel. While the design of Muskegon’s streets will strive to appropriately balance all users’ needs, the character of each street will vary by location. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Strengthen walkability, accessibility, and connectivity at major corridors and neighborhood centers.While all streets should be safe for all users, priority should be given to major corridors where the features necessary to do so are currently lacking, as well as at neighborhood centers where people are expected to gather in greater numbers. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Establish a local funding source for street right-of-way improvements.Muskegon has no dedicated funding source for improvements to the streets and public rights-of-way. Streets classified as Major Streets can receive state and federal funding, but the many remaining local streets, sidewalks, and non-motorized trails often require creative funding sources. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Improve access to public transportation.Muskegon benefits from public transportation service, but the City does not manage its operations. That considered, focusing on improving the design of the public realm near bus stops and along fixed routes will improve the experience for those that currently utilize public transportation, and make the service more attractive to those that do not. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Promote and improve active transportation through maintenance and expansion of the network of sidewalks and non-motorized trails.Active transportation, such as walking and biking, offers a great way for residents and visitors to get around. The sidewalk network is substantial and should be maintained, bridging existing gaps and upgraded to ensure accessibility for all. Also available are nearly 14 miles of off-street, multi-use trails, bike lanes, and paved shoulders. Improving connections to all neighborhoods will allow opportunities to explore the city via a variety of transportation modes. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Utilize less land for vehicle parking throughout the city.Muskegon’s parking supply influences the way in which residents and visitors get around the city. This plan strongly advises that parking not be provided in surplus where it is not needed, acknowledging that current minimum parking requirements have led to a parking supply that often exceeds demand. Policy changes should strive to right-size the parking supply. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Require new developments to incorporate strong connections to the existing transportation network.The question of how to appropriately redevelop large, often former industrial, sites is among the top facing Muskegon today. These large properties tend to be poorly integrated into their surrounding neighborhoods. When land is developed, new streets should be connected to the existing system in a way that accommodates all modes of transportation, adequately disperses traffic, and allows for flexibility in handling different development intensities. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Establish a process to complete quick-build street projects to improve safety within the city’s neighborhoods.In recent years, a number of cities have adopted a less conventional approach to street design that focuses on quick implementation, flexibility, community input, and affordability. Commonly known as “quick build” projects, such initiatives utilize low-cost, temporary changes to streets as a means of testing design tweaks prior to committing to permanent changes tied to street reconstruction projects. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Inventory and establish a policy for alley vacations and establishment of new alleys.Alleys can offer functional value by relocating “back-of-house” operations like parking access, trash pick-up, and utilities from the public street. They also enable different housing types in some zoning districts. A policy to guide alley vacation requests and decisions does not exist, but is needed. Although it is highly unlikely that vacated alleys are re-established, a future policy should not allow for alley elimination unless absolutely necessary. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Ensure transportation connections to the greater region and other population centers.As the largest city on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, Muskegon has historically served as a regional transportation hub. Today, the greater Muskegon area is severely limited in terms of transportation options for those looking to travel outside the county, region, or state. Aside from a personal vehicle or direct, cross-lake ferry service to Milwaukee, there are no transportation connections to and from the city proper to population centers outside of the county. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Feedback/CommentsNatural Features & RecreationProtect the quality of Muskegon Lake and its watershed.Muskegon has come a long way from the days of waterfront industry. Decades worth of zoning, economic development, and environmental policies and initiatives have resulted in the restoration of Muskegon Lake and its connecting watershed. Tens of millions of dollars were utilized to restore Muskegon Lake resulting in its delisting as an Area of Concern. Protections must be in place to ensure that future development around the watershed has minimal impact. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Balance the different interests on Muskegon Lake.As the waterfront continues to transition away from industry, competing new uses may arise. New marinas may require clean-up of historic fill, but limit habitat restoration efforts. Concerns over the number of new boat slips and the level of enforcement of speed and noise ordinances on the water, have led to questions of a cap on the number of boats in Muskegon Lake. Public access to the water and waterfront amenities is essential to ensuring Muskegon Lake continues to balance recreational opportunities for all. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Connect greenway corridors and make them accessible through public ownership and easements.Several large greenway corridors align with undevelopable ravines and waterways. Many of these areas are in close proximity to one another or to other natural areas like parks. Bolstering efforts to improve the urban tree canopy will also provide visual and physical connections throughout the city. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Protect the quality of greenway corridors through clean up of contaminated sites, safeguarding areas highly susceptible to private uses, and reducing illegal dumping.Despite many being publicly-owned, private land uses and development pressures have a direct effect on some natural corridors in the city. Identifying locations for acquisition of privately-owned land for public use and establishment of conservation easements should be considered to protect and improve the condition of greenway corridors. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Develop wildlife corridor plans to create small natural pathways that connect large natural areas.The creeks and ravines bordering many neighborhoods are home to a variety of wildlife, but are segmented by developed areas. Wildlife corridor plans could identify opportunities to better connect the city’s natural areas, improving these natural habitats. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Adopt policies that encourage climate resiliency, and utilize public land to allow for mitigation efforts.The Muskegon Lake watershed encompasses a vast area. Large sections of the city as well as parts of neighboring cities route stormwater directly into Muskegon Lake, with Ruddiman Creek and Beidler’s Creek also being directly affected. Adoption of design guidelines and construction of green infrastructure, where possible, will help to mitigate the negative effects of stormwater runoff. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Feedback/CommentsHousing & NeighborhoodsCreate a policy framework to provide housing choice within all neighborhoods.Muskegon was once home to a wide array of housing options at various price points. As the flexible development regulations of the past have become more rigid, housing options have become restricted as well. Diverse housing types are needed across the city to provide flexibility in housing choice for residents. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Infill vacant residential lots with new housing options.Returning vacant residential lots to productive use through the construction of infill housing is easier said than done, but efficient use of the limited amount of land is critical to the city’s operations and ability to provide essential services to residents. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Create walkable neighborhood centers within a short distance of all residents.With the benefits of having daily needs met within a short walk of one’s home, spending could increase within neighborhoods, fewer vehicle trips would need to be made outside the immediate neighborhood, and residents could feel better connected to their community. This was once the norm in Muskegon, but reactivating former neighborhood-serving commercial and civic areas will require many steps. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree New development that provides public amenities to all residents.For some development projects, a Planned Unit Development provides an opportunity for the City and developer to negotiate certain public amenities in exchange for variances from zoning regulations. Existing residents can benefit from amenities like waterfront access, sidewalk and street connections, and multi-use pathways or other recreational or park space. Establishing a process to better understand the types of amenities desired in an area is needed. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Encourage participation in neighborhood associations to create strong neighborhoods with invested residents empowered to address their common needs.Neighborhood associations have many benefits for its residents and the community as a whole. They improve neighborhood life by helping to build community and respect, give residents a voice, address targeted concerns and issues, and coordinate block clean ups and dumpster days. These associations serve as the direct connection to departments at city hall. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Reduce blight, dumping, and other negative external effects on neighborhoods.The definition of “blight” is in many ways, nebulous, but it includes common sights that most would agree fit this definition. New and continued efforts to partner with neighborhood associations, youth programs, and other less-centralized efforts would help to maintain a blight-fighting presence in every neighborhood. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Create linkages to parks and waterfront.Many residents benefit from access to the many recreational opportunities here, but access for some is easier than others. Areas with a surplus of parks or recreational amenities often draw residents from elsewhere in the city, and providing a multitude of connections between neighborhoods will allow all residents to fully experience what Muskegon has to offer. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Strive to protect existing neighborhood residents from displacement as well as the cultural practices of diverse groups within the same space.Redevelopment in disinvested neighborhoods can be transformational, and drastic changes are understandably concerning for existing residents. Fear of gentrification can and often does lead to opposition to new development, and addressing these fears requires the cooperation of existing and future residents, city leaders, and private developers. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Feedback/CommentsEconomic DevelopmentInvest in placemaking opportunities that capitalize on community assets.Walkability has been shown to correlate with increased property values, educational attainment, employment, and new business starts. Many businesses are increasingly making their expansion, relocation, and new business development decisions based on which communities are most walkable. Mixed use, walkable development generates greater tax revenue per acre, saves on up-front infrastructure costs, and results in lower costs for service delivery than car-oriented, suburban development. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Create viable commercial corridors and neighborhood commercial/social nodes.Residents have expressed desire for neighborhood-serving businesses. While it was once common for many neighborhoods to contain small-scale commercial options, the rise of dedicated business districts has led most neighborhood-serving stores to close. Buildings that housed these businesses still exist, though typically sitting vacant or replaced with a new, non-commercial uses. Often, these buildings are stifled by zoning codes that prohibit reasonable redevelopment. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Utilize our natural resources to develop a strong blue economy.Muskegon’s award-winning beaches, outdoor recreation, and water-based activities such as world-class fishing and sailing, fuel the tourism industry. Muskegon Lake, the largest natural deep-water port in West Michigan, allows the Port of Muskegon to handle over one million tons of freight, aggregate, and salt every year. By integrating water resources with jobs and development, Muskegon strives to grow businesses and jobs in water-related sectors. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Become a leader of high-tech manufacturing in a variety of industrial sectors.The city is home to several industrial companies that rely on a highly-skilled workforce. These positions are often filled by workers from out of town as the education level of the local workforce is lower than average while the workforce participation rate is also below average. Residents must be able to compete for employment opportunities and benefit from economic prosperity. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Provide a diverse supply of housing options that focuses on infill development.Housing should be considered alongside employment, transportation, and business development as a central component of economic development. The lack of availability, inflexibility, and resulting affordability issues challenges labor mobility. Quality housing aids in retaining and attracting a skilled workforce. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Create economic opportunities for the city as a whole that are reflective of the community’s diversity.The diversity of the community should be reflected in the city’s businesses and business owners. The City must continue to promote policies that ensure all are empowered to thrive in Muskegon’s business community. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Simplify zoning regulations to permit flexibility in business types.There are currently five zoning districts that allow for business operations. Oftentimes, a business may be prohibited from locating in an area because of zoning regulations, even though it may be a good fit. Other times, a business may need to go through additional, time-consuming steps in order to locate in an area. Such zoning requirements should be studied and updated for today’s business climate. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Promote a balanced, mixed-use downtown.Downtown Muskegon serves as the entertainment and cultural hub of Muskegon County. Its proximity to Muskegon Lake and Lake Michigan also ensures a seasonal influx of tourists. Two colleges and a concentration of office space provide a steady stream of foot traffic during business hours, but additional residential units are necessary to provide the population needed to attract desired services like grocery stores and retail. Agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Feedback/CommentsEmailThis field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Δ