Houghton Council meets
Pocket Park work begins
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HOUGHTON -- The Houghton City Council has approved facade grant applications from four downtown business. The applications were approved last month by the Downtown Development Authority.
The grant money allocated represented 50% of the estimated total cost for each project. In total, the city awarded $76,109.67 toward the projects, whose total estimated cost is more th an $152,000.
The Douglass House Commercial Center was awarded $27,507.50 for exterior work including painting and awnings. The Commercial Center includes storefronts for Kolehmainen Insurange, CF Johnson, CPA, PLLC, Armondo’s, The Douglass House Saloon and the Mirror Barbershop. Because of his involvement with the businesses, Mayor Robert Megowan recused himself from all discussion and voting on the Douglass House Commercial Center grant application.
Joey’s Seafood and grill was awarded just over $19,600, or half of the cost of project which includes exterior rehabilitation along with window and door replacements.
A grant of $8,099.54 was approved for Center Ice/Rhythm Bike Shop. The $16,199.08 project will include signage and the removal of old electrical.
The Library Restaurant was awarded $20,900 for doors, painting, signage and roof stack removal. The grant represents 50% of the total $41,800 project cost.
In his report to the council City Manager Eric Waara mentioned two events coming up later this month. The annual Treat Street trick or treating activity will be held from 6-8 p.m. Saturday in Downtown Houghton. And a new event, Potato Fest will take place Oct. 24 at the Carnegie Museum.
Waara said construction on the city’s “Pocket Park” at 509 Shelden Ave.was slated to begin Thursday and progress on the business incubator on the 300 block of Shelden is moving along.
Waara said there are still ongoing discussions between his office, City Police and the Department of Public works on how best to handle traffic flowing from Montezuma during the upcoming lift bridge repairs.
Waara also reported on a new state law that was discussed at the recent UP City Managers meeting. The law, Pubic Act 17 of 2026, sets the uniform start date for terms of office for elected city officials to the first of the month following an. The law, which went into effect in June, supersedes the City’s Charter regarding when terms of office begin and end. The Charter traditionally set the date for the organizational meeting for the week after the election.
For the November election the new law requires new councilors not to be sworn in earlier than noon on Dec. 1. Councilor Mike Needham, made a motion to schedule the 2026 organizational meeting 5:30 p.m. Wednesday Dec. 2. The motion passed.