The Plan
What's Been Done
Friends of Ore Dock BotEco Center is an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit with an ambitious vision to transform our community with the development and operation of the Ore Dock BotEco Center. This project will involve countless hours of hard work, careful planning, and community input. With each milestone reached, the nonprofit continues to build the momentum that will launch BotEco to success.
A number of critical tasks for development have already been completed:
Friends of Ore Dock BotEco Center is an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit with an ambitious vision to transform our community with the development and operation of the Ore Dock BotEco Center. This project will involve countless hours of hard work, careful planning, and community input. With each milestone reached, the nonprofit continues to build the momentum that will launch BotEco to success.
A number of critical tasks for development have already been completed:
- A structural engineering firm hired by the city has completed a structural analysis of the existing Lower Harbor Ore Dock
- Ownership and responsibilities relating to the Lower Harbor Ore Dock have been clarified with local and state agencies.
- Community input has been sought and received during each major stage of the project
- Friends of BotEco has worked with a local firm to generate three-dimensional data for illumination and structural analysis
- Changes in the Bottomlands Agreement (the contract regulating potential uses for the ore dock structure) have been approved by the City of Marquette and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
- Friends of BotEco has received several grants that will be critical in providing the resources to procure more funding
Next Steps
Friends of BotEco is currently working to:
Friends of BotEco is currently working to:
- Continue compiling community input as development and detailed planning continues
- Ensure continued compliance with relevant regulations
- Identify and involve stakeholders within the Marquette community and the Great Lakes Region
- Garner approval from city and state at each additional stage of design and development
- Conduct supplemental structural analysis as needed
- Generate additional funding for planning and construction
- Begin building a portfolio of long-term funds needed for ongoing operation of BotEco
- Build further awareness of the nonprofit and its mission
- Receive presentation and planning tools currently being developed by a team of professors and students at Northern Michigan University
- Update and maintain the project schedule
- Build relationships with representatives of existing botanical, ecological, and community-based centers
Approval and Support
The Ore Dock BotEco Center has received approval and support from numerous public institutions and key individuals, including Northern Michigan University, Community Foundation of Marquette County, Travel Marquette, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Michigan Historical Society, Michigan State senators and representatives, and the City of Marquette.
The Ore Dock BotEco Center has received approval and support from numerous public institutions and key individuals, including Northern Michigan University, Community Foundation of Marquette County, Travel Marquette, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Michigan Historical Society, Michigan State senators and representatives, and the City of Marquette.
Potential Community and Professional Engagement
Friends of BotEco believes that the development of this project has the potential to engage numerous other organizations and attract participants from academic disciplines and other professions. These outside organizations might include public research institutions, environmental advocacy groups, ecological education centers, arts associations, ethnic communities, and historical preservation societies. Relevant disciplines and professions may include health sciences, biology, chemistry, climatology, limnology and freshwater science, engineering technology, deep ecology, marketing and business, hospitality management, music and performing arts, landscape architecture, and political science,
Friends of BotEco believes that the development of this project has the potential to engage numerous other organizations and attract participants from academic disciplines and other professions. These outside organizations might include public research institutions, environmental advocacy groups, ecological education centers, arts associations, ethnic communities, and historical preservation societies. Relevant disciplines and professions may include health sciences, biology, chemistry, climatology, limnology and freshwater science, engineering technology, deep ecology, marketing and business, hospitality management, music and performing arts, landscape architecture, and political science,
