See what the Pere Marquette Park beach bar could become with plans from two developers

See what the Pere Marquette Park beach bar could become with plans from two developers | MLive.com

The city of Muskegon has received two proposals for redevelopment of the former CJs on the Beach property at Pere Marquette Park on Lake Michigan.

EnlargeDave Alexander | dalexan1@mlive.comThe popular beach bar has struggled over the years to sustain a viable business in that location.CJs on the Beach closed gallery (4 photos)

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Both proposals suggest a redevelopment of the beach bar building at 1601 Beach St. but go in different directions. Both are hoping to have a business open yet this summer. One business developer is well-known and the other is becoming active in the Muskegon market.

Jon Rooks’ Parkland Muskegon Inc. suggests a two-phase redevelopment of the property that would include renovating the existing structure to create the Beach House Waterfront Grille, a bar and restaurant, along with an events and wedding center in the remainder of the building.

Parkland’s second phase would be a new $4 million to $6 million boutique, extended-stay hotel adjacent to the beach bar or on property across Beach Street in the park’s famed “Ovals.” The Pere Marquette businesses would be operated in tandem with Parkland’s downtown Shoreline Inn and Conference Center and Lake House Restaurant, according to the proposal presented the city this week.

The second proposal was submitted by Michael Kordecki of McGraft Park LLC of Matthews, N.C. Kordecki is formerly of Muskegon and has recently purchased the Noble Building at 500 West Western Ave., which is the planned home of the new Pigeon Hill Brewing Co., a proposed microbrewery for downtown Muskegon.

Kordecki by mid-July would create a sandwich and ice cream shop with a rental shop for beach activity items, such as paddle boards and bicycles. In either 2014 or 2015, Kordecki proposes renovating the beach bar building into a restaurant, lounge and entertainment center. The idea is to have the businesses be an activity center for the Pere Marquette beach.

The city has owned the land under the former CJs on the Beach, but earlier this year also obtained the building in a court settlement with the former beach bar owners. CJs on the Beach closed after the 2011 summer season and was unable to reopen last summer due to financial problems. The business finally lost its building to the city.

The Muskegon City Commission authorized “requests for proposals” for developers and business owners to suggest future uses of the popular beach location with stunning Lake Michigan sunset views of the Muskegon Lighthouse.