The Suttons Bay Planning Commission is set to hold a formal site plan review on the conditional use permit for the Inland Seas Education Association (ISEA) campus expansion project at its regular meeting at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 19.
The planning commission vote will essentially determine whether the project, which will affect the future of both the local community and the health of the Great Lakes ecosystem, moves forward.
In June, ISEA announced its “Campaign for the Future of Great Lakes Education,” unveiling a long-term vision for an expanded waterfront campus which would accommodate the high demand for its year-round STEM programming. The $11.1 million initiative aims to transform the organization’s capacity to “inspire the and educate the next generation of Great Lakes stewards, directly addressing the growing demand for ISEA’s impactful programs from K-12 schools, universities, and environmental organizations.”
Part of the project includes the existing north lot Millside building, a property in which ISEA acquired in January, that will be renovated to include a versatile multi-use educational space and a dedicated vessel maintenance shop in the basement. Other facility additions include things like numerous outdoor multi-purpose learning spaces, a large indoor space to support group learning activities, and space for secure storage to house all ship-related and scientific equipment in one place. Some of the property improvements would include: An educational waterfront walkway from ISEA campus to Suttons Bay Village Hall and local businesses/organizations; safe connection to the Leelanau Trail; a universally accessible small boat launch so people with disabilities can enjoy Lake Michigan; as well as additional parking.
“We’re hoping our plan is approved so we can take the next step with our project,” said ISEA Executive Director Fred Sitkins. “That’s kind of what really is the most pressing issue for us right now is for us to get a big package put together so that we can get the project bid and start it as soon as we can. We know it’s going to be a big project and we’re really hoping for a spring of 2027 opening.”
Should the planning commission vote to approve the review of the ISEA campus project on Wednesday, Sitkins said the next steps would include their architects completing the final architectural plans to submit for bids. Construction firms that work with commercial properties would then bid on the project, and ISEA would review those bids and select a contractor. The estimated project beginning date would be April 2026 with completion anticipated by April 2027.
“I think what the planning commission is going to be excited about is just what this does for the public and the individuals that visit the community of Suttons Bay,” Sitkins said. “They have this really large parcel of waterfront property that connects parks and marinas downtown and gives people a path to the water if they’re walking through the downtown district… We’re so excited about it getting started.”
