Marshall groups work to preserve, repurpose Bear Creek property near proposed battery plant
MARSHALL — The Marshall Area Economic Development Alliance is working with local historic organizations to preserve the Bear Creek property near Ford Motor Company’s planned electric vehicle battery plant.
Groups are currently drafting a plan to preserve the nearly 23-acre property, located on the northeastern portion of the Marshall Megasite outside of Ford's project footprint. The property includes a historic barn, three houses and several other structures.
MAEDA will initially fund the preservation effort with property maintenance funding from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
“The Bear Creek property has a rich history and we are working to preserve that history and bring it to life by developing the property into a heritage museum and nature center,” James Durian, CEO of MAEDA, said in a release.
An initial proposal for the effort has been drafted by MAEDA and the group is partnering with other organizations, including the Marshall Historical Society, to make it a reality.
“Historic preservation is the backbone of Marshall, and we are working with local partners to ensure Marshall’s heritage is properly shared and is easily accessible to the community,” George Whelan, society president, said in a release. “The Marshall Historical Society is excited to partner with MAEDA and others on this effort and to guide the project to be good stewards of this property.”
Ford in February announced its intention to build the nearly 2.5-million-square-foot EV battery plant on a portion of the Megasite, a 2,000-acre parcel southwest of the I-94/I-69 interchange in Marshall Township that's been considered for decades as a potential destination for a large-scale manufacturing operation.
Ford plans to invest $3.5 billion to make the EV battery plant a reality, an investment that's expected to create 2,500 jobs when production of lithium iron phosphate batteries begins at the plant in 2026.
The automaker still needs site plan approval and building permits to construct the battery plant. A group of local residents, meanwhile, are collecting signatures in hopes of triggering a city-wide vote on a rezoning request tied to the battery plant.
The group would much rather see the Megasite preserved for a state park or state recreation area.
Marshall resident and petition committee member Regis Klingler understands it may be too late to stop the Ford development entirely, but he hopes the petition drive will help send a message that some residents don't want additional industrial plants in this area.
"We’d much rather see (recreational offerings) than another 2-3 industrial plants there," Klingler said. "It would be a good buffer for the Ford plant and it would give something back to the people of Marshall and Marshall Township."
Contact reporter Greyson Steele at gsteele@battlecreekenquirer.com
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Marshall groups work to preserve, repurpose Bear Creek property
