Planning that began seven years ago is coming to fruition in Grand Portage.
Although no work is planned at this time, funding has been made available to rebuild and expand the Isle Royale ferry terminal at Hat Point by the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. The band owns and manages the Grand Portage-Isle Royale transportation lines.
Last fall, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) awarded a $3.2 million grant to the Grand Portage Reservation Tribal Council of Grand Portage, Minnesota, to redevelop the Hat Point Marina and Ferry Terminal. The award came shortly after large storms kicked up Lake Superior, and waves severely damaged the old terminal dock.
The EDA grant is located in a Tax Cuts, and Jobs Act designated Opportunity Zone and was matched with $2 million in local investment. Those dollars will come from in-kind work from the Grand Portage Construction Department performing much-needed labor and from dollars secured from the Minnesota Department of Transportation piers program.
A Superior based consulting firm, AMI Consulting Engineers, was hired to design the improvements, provide engineering reports, layouts, and cost estimates for the project.
Work will include demolishing and expanding the ferry docks to provide two safe harbor terminals for the Isle Royale ferries. The site will be paved and the existing buildings will be taken down and replaced with a 5,824 square foot Ferry Terminal, Cultural and Concession building. The new facility will have seating for 200 ferry terminal riders, restroom facilities, concession area, ticketing area, two ferry terminal offices, and storage for concessions and ferry use.
When the new building is completed, it will also be available for group activities and as a reception hall for weddings and events.
Plans include moving the current boat launch to an area adjacent to the new docks, which will provide wave protection and minimize interference with the ferryboats’ operations. The existing ferry terminal dock will be demolished, and two safe harbor terminals will be built for the Isle Royale ferries.
Three new docks will be added for both commercial and recreational fishing.
By redeveloping the Hat Point Marina and Ferry Terminal, Grand Portage will be better able to meet the ever-increasing demand for ferry voyages to and from the nearby Isle Royale National Park. Inside the Ferry Terminal will be a place for visitors to learn about the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, as well as serve as an area that will serve as a fish processing facility for tribal commercial fishing businesses.
While Michigan owns Isle Royale, visitors leaving from the Grand Portage terminal have a one-and-a-half-hour boat ride while ferry riders in Michigan have a six-hour sail to reach the big island.
Isle Royale has long been considered sacred and home to the Grand Portage band. There is evidence that native people have lived and worked on the island for more than 1,000 years. In noting that fact, the National Park Service celebrated with Grand Portage band members and dignitaries last fall. During that celebration, Isle Royale and its archipelago of 450 small islands were added to the National Register of Historic Places, and the lands were designated as Minong Traditional Cultural Property.
In his letter to the Grand Portage band, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross said, “The enhanced marina and ferry infrastructure will give the Grand Portage Tribe of Chippewa Indians the tools they need to encourage new private investment in the region and special Opportunity Zone tax incentives will attract further business investment in the region.”
Leave a Reply