Developer Request for Proposals – W. Empire St. (700 W. Empire) Development
August 14, 2026
The City of Ishpeming is soliciting Request for Proposals (RFPs) from experienced affordable housing developers for the acquisition and development of approximately 5.5 acres of City-owned property located near Empire Street and Lakeshore Drive in Ishpeming, Michigan. To view the entire RFP, click here: RFP for the City of Ishpeming – Empire Street Development
Submission Deadline: Tuesday, September 8, 2026 by 5:00 p.m. EST. Submissions due electronically only; email City Manager, Randy Scholz at citymanager@ishpemingcity.org
Request for Proposals – Qualified Electrical Contractors
August 12, 2026
CITY OF ISHPEMING
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Qualified Electrical Contractors
The City of Ishpeming is seeking proposals from experienced and qualified Electrical Contractors for on-call and project-based electrical services for City-owned buildings, facilities, equipment, and infrastructure.
Interested parties should respond to the requirements outlined in the Request for Proposals (RFP). Click here for the full proposal: City of Ishpeming Request for Proposals for Electrical Contractor Services
Proposals should be submitted to the City Manager’s Office in a sealed envelope clearly marked “Electrical Contractor Services for the City of Ishpeming” no later than Thursday, September 3, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. The City reserves the right to reject any or all bids.
Ishpeming Water Project Update – August 10, 2026
August 10, 2026
ISHPEMING WATER PROJECT UPDATE – August 10, 2026
Empire Street: Crews have finished laying and grading gravel on Empire Street, street is open to traffic.
Douglas Street: Crews have finished connecting services on both Douglas and Dawson Streets.
Salisbury Street: Crews will continue installing sewer mainline and road will remain open to traffic.
Angeline Street: Crews will continue watermain installation throughout this week.
Terrace Street: Crews will continue watermain installation throughout this week.
Main Street: Crews have finished installing watermain on Main Street, services to be connected throughout this week.
Johnson Street: Crews have finished installing watermain on Johnson and will begin connecting services this week.
3rd Street: Crews will finish installing watermain on 3rd this Wednesday and will finish connecting services and laying gravel afterwards. All traffic moving south from Park Street must use the detour on 2nd from Iron Street for access.
Please allow for extra travel time in these areas and give workers plenty of space when passing. We appreciate your patience and cooperation. Thank you!
Ishpeming Water Project Update – July 27, 2026
July 27, 2026
ISHPEMING WATER PROJECT UPDATE – July 27, 2026:
Empire Street: Crews have finished installing watermain on Empire and will be connecting services from 5th to 3rd streets this week. They will be followed by crews laying gravel.
Dawson Street: Crews will continue installing sewer mainline and watermain throughout this week. Crews will work directly with residents if home access will be affected.
Douglas Street: Crews will continue installing sewer mainline and watermain throughout this week. Crews will work directly with residents if home access will be affected.
Salisbury Street: Crews will continue installing sewer mainline throughout this week.
Main Street: Watermain has been installed and crews will be connecting services throughout this week.
3rd Street: Crews will continue installing watermain and storm drains throughout this week. They will continue moving north on 3rd street into the coming weeks. Traffic will be directed to a detour on 2nd Street between Michigan and Empire before rejoining 3rd. Anyone traveling south on 3rd from northeast of the intersection at 3rd and Michigan must use Iron Street for access.
Please allow for extra travel time in these areas and give workers plenty of space when passing. We appreciate your patience and cooperation. Thank you!
Ishpeming Water Project Update – July 21, 2026
July 21, 2026
ISHPEMING WATER PROJECT UPDATE – July 21, 2026
Bluff Street: Crews have completed laying gravel on Bluff and street is open to local traffic only.
Empire Street: Watermain installation complete on Empire. Crews will be connecting services and laying gravel into the following weeks.
Dawson Street: Crews will be installing sewer mainline throughout this week. Crews will work directly with residents if home access will be affected.
Douglas Street: Crews will be installing sewer mainline throughout this week. Crews will work directly with residents if home access will be affected.
Salisbury Street: Sewer pipeline installation will continue on Salisbury Street throughout this week and continue into the following weeks.
Main Street: Watermain installation in progress to Johnson Street, crews may begin connecting services late this week.
Johnson Street: Crews will be installing watermain on Johnson throughout this week.
3rd Street: Crews have begun stripping asphalt on 3rd for watermain and storm drain installation in the coming weeks. Traffic will be directed to a detour on 2nd Street between Michigan and Empire before rejoining 3rd. Anyone traveling south on 3rd from northeast of the intersection at 3rd and Michigan must use Iron Street for access.
Please allow for extra travel time in these areas and give workers plenty of space when passing. We appreciate your patience and cooperation.
Ishpeming Water Project Update – July 13, 2026
July 13, 2026
ISHPEMING WATER PROJECT UPDATE – July 13, 2026
New York Street: Crews have finished laying gravel on New York and street is open to local traffic only.
Bluff Street: Services have been connected and crews will likely finish laying gravel on Bluff by the end of this week.
Empire Street: Asphalt on Empire Street from 5th to 3rd will be stripped this week and crews will finish installing water main afterward. Crews will be connecting services following main line installation over the next few weeks.
Angeline Street: Crews will continue with water main installation throughout this week.
Terrace Street: Crews will continue with water main installation throughout this week.
Salisbury Street: Crews will possibly begin road removal on Salisbury late this week for sewer mainline improvements over the coming weeks, starting at the south end near intersection with Dawson Street.
Main Street: Crews will begin installing watermain on Main early this week and continue in the coming weeks.
3rd Street: Crews will likely begin asphalt removal on 3rd Street late this week for water main installation afterward. A detour will be available on 2nd Street starting at Michigan Street and traffic will be able to rejoin 3rd at Empire Street.
Please allow for extra travel time in these areas and give workers plenty of space when passing. We appreciate your patience and cooperation.
City Board and Commission Vacancies
July 8, 2026
The following Boards or Commissions have vacancies:
Housing Appeals Board – One Vacancy for Alternate Board Member, 3-year term
Zoning Board of Appeals – Two Vacancies for Alternate Board Members, 3-year term
Planning Commission – One Vacancy, 3-year term
Cemetery Commission – One Vacancy, 5-year term
Compensation Commission – One Vacancy, 5-year term
Downtown Development Authority – Two Vacancies, 4-year term
If you are interested in serving on one or more of the City’s Board or Commissions, please complete: Board-Commissions Application and return it to the City Manager’s Office, 100 E. Division Street, Ishpeming, MI 49849 or email, estack@ishpemingcity.org. If you have any questions, please call Emilie Stack, City Clerk/Human Resources Manager, at 906-485-1091, Extension 203 or email estack@ishpemingcity.org
Ishpeming Water Project Update – July 8, 2026
July 8, 2026
ISHPEMING WATER PROJECT UPDATE (July 8, 2026)
New York Street: Water service connections have been completed and crews will finish laying gravel this week.
Bluff Street: Crews will continue connecting services and begin laying gravel midweek, likely finishing next week.
Empire Street: Water main installation will continue from 7th to 5th Streets on Empire Street this week. Crews will begin removing asphalt from 5th to 3rd on Empire and street parking is not permitted.
Angeline Street: Crews will continue with water main installation throughout this week.
Terrace Street: Crews will be installing water main on Terrace Street throughout this week.
Main Street: Crews will likely begin removing asphalt on Main late this week for water main installation in coming weeks.
Please allow for extra travel time in these areas and give workers plenty of space when passing. We appreciate your patience and cooperation.
Short Term Rentals Notice
June 29, 2026
Notice: City of Ishpeming Residents
Short Term Rentals Update:
On April 1st 2026, at a Second Reading, the Ishpeming City Council adopted the Short Term Rentals Ordinance #7-700.
Here are some main points:
- This ordinance became effective on April 10, 2026.
- A Short-Term Rental is any residential unit that will be used for thirty (30) days or less.
- A rental permit is only valid for one (1) year.
- This ordinance allows for a city-wide maximum total of fifty (50) short-term rentals. If your short-term rental (STR) exceeded the maximum total before the adoption of this ordinance then you are not restricted to this cap.
- Fees:
- Application Fee: $50.00 per unit
- Inspection Fee: $100.00 per unit
- Renewal Fee: $50.00 per unit
- Appeal Fee: $100.00 per unit
All active short-term rentals must be registered by August 31, 2026. Any unregistered short-term rentals will be subject to penalties stated in Ordinance 7-700 Section 10.
This notice is only a short overview of the newly adopted short-term rental ordinance. For more information please refer to Ordinance 7-700 Short-Term Rentals.
For any questions or concerns please contact Greg Place of the City of Ishpeming Rental Inspection Department:
Greg Place
Phone: (906)-485-1091, Ext. 211
Email: rentalregistration@ishpemingcity.org
Ishpeming Water Project Update – June 29, 2026
June 29, 2026
ISHPEMING WATER PROJECT UPDATE:
New York Street: Crews will likely finish connecting services throughout this week and begin laying gravel throughout next week.
Bluff Street: Crews will begin connecting water services on Bluff late this week or early next week and begin laying gravel the following week.
Vine Street: Gravel on Vine has been completed and street is open to local traffic only.
Empire Street: Crews will continue watermain installation on Empire and will go into the following weeks.
Angeline Street: Crews will continue watermain installation on Angeline and will remain doing so into at least next week.
Washington Street: Crews will begin sewer bypass pumping in the area of Washington for future pipe lining.
Please allow for extra travel time in these areas and give workers operating heavy equipment wide berth when passing.
