City Commission

Two public hearings and eight matters of new business highlight this evening’s Three Rivers City Commission meeting. The public hearings center on a budget hearing and property-tax act, and a user-fee ordinance update. Business to be considered by Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners include the sale of 125 East Broadway Street to Clark Logic for $275,000, a resolution related to …

Three Rivers’ plan to develop a multi-field sports complex hit a snag Tuesday, when the Michigan Third District Court of Appeals reversed a local ruling on whether the parcel is vacant. The setback marks a win for Lockport Township. Its officials filed the appeal in February 2016 after St. Joseph County District Court Judge Jeff Middleton ruled the 77-acre parcel …

A Community Development Block grant application for a brew pub in downtown Three Rivers was approved Tuesday by the Three Rivers City Commission. The $365,788 CDBG was being sought by Landmark Tap House and Grille, which is slated to open in a three-storefront location North Main Street early next year. Specifically, it is targeted for an area that included Pub …

Over the objections of a vocal opponent and despite concerns from a pair of its members, Three Rivers City Commission has authorized design, bidding and construction-engineering services related to a proposed youth sports complex. Tuesday’s action allocates more than $300,000 to Kalamazoo-based Virdis Design Group. The decision came after resident Kathy Bingaman questioned whether it was premature to act on …

A matter of business related to the Three Rivers Youth Sports Complex highlights this evening’s Three Rivers City Commission meeting. Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners will consider authorizing more than $320,000 to Virdis Design Group to proceed with the design, bidding and construction engineering for the proposed facility. Also, the commission will consider authorizing city staff to execute any necessary …

Members of a state panel Wednesday sided with the city of Three Rivers in its attempt to annex a 77-acre parcel of land from Lockport Township. By a 3-to-2 vote, the five-member State Boundary Commission recommended in favor of the city following a public proceeding at the commission’s office in Lansing. At stake is the prospective development of a $4.1 …

Constantine Village Manager Mark Honeysett said the municipality is not in compliance with a state law covering expenditures for non-motorized improvements. Non-motorized transportation is a critical element in the transportation system and increases mobility choices, relieves traffic congestion, reduces air pollution and fuel consumption and promotes physical activity and healthy lifestyles, he said. The state defines non-motorized primarily as pedestrians, …

The city of Sturgis has tabled Michigan Department of Transportation’s recommendation to close a North Clay Street railroad crossing on the Michigan Southern Railroad line. The decision was made last month following a public hearing and several months of study by city staff and the Sturgis Planning Commission. Both bodies had recommended closing the North Clay Street crossing. Sturgis Mayor …

Three Rivers City Commission members will welcome a new commissioner aboard the seven-person panel next week. Norm Stutesman was chosen Tuesday to replace Diane Clay as representative of the city’s Third District. Clay had to vacate the seat due to her move to another area of the community. Stutesman, 72, was chosen even though no applications for the position were …

A vacancy on the Three Rivers City Commission remains unfilled, as there were no applicants who filed for the partial-term seat before a Friday deadline last week. City officials said the seat was previously held by Diane Clay, who stepped down Dec. 20 in light of her move to another part of the community. The issue is likely to be …