Marquette Commons

The Downtown Marquette Commons, located at 112 South Third Street, is a 12,000 sq ft. pedestrian plaza/outdoor ice rink and public support building which includes an indoor fireplace, public restrooms and a public artist designed fountain, which represents the first outdoor public art in the downtown area. The Commons provides a community gathering spot in downtown Marquette with year round activities including the Farmers & Artists Market and concerts in the summer and skating in the winter months. Additionally, the Commons offers comfortable, affordable rental opportunities for meetings and private gatherings. Contact the Marquette Downtown Development Authority at 906-228-9475 for availability.

Marquette is seeking to secure downtown as a place to work, shop, seek entertainment and celebrate our sense of community.

This project was an important component in an overall vision to make Marquette's downtown a premier livable and walkable winter city. Challenged by sprawl in surrounding communities, Marquette is seeking to secure downtown as a place to work, shop, seek entertainment and celebrate our sense of community. According to recent research on successful retail centers, the trend is urban destination entertainment centers. Experts relate that the response is the desire for a live/work/play environment.

It is the objective of the downtown Commons to provide a destination location in the center of the largest city in the Upper Peninsula that will attract downtown employees, residents and visitors. Not only does the Commons attract people into the downtown to recreate, shop, and dine, but it also offers development opportunities for the business and arts community. The Commons venue has stimulated private investment in downtown buildings and new businesses, particularly along the Commons Corridor.

The total project cost of $1.2 million was funded by the Marquette Downtown Development Authority as well as

$100,000 Cool Cities Catalyst Grant
$16,400 Michigan Council for the Arts Grant
$280,000 Department of Natural Resources Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant.

Rental Documents