Project Timeline
The timeline below reflects our current working plan for the Elberta Commons project. As with any community-driven project of this scale, dates and milestones may shift as planning progresses, partners align, and community input shapes our direction.
November
Developer Interview
2025
Interview with the project partners in response to RFQ submittal
Community Meeting
Introduction of developer to the community, opportunity to ask questions and get to know the project team
Community Engagement
Create an informational project website as well as community feedback opportunities
December
Community Engagement
2025
Create an informational project website as well as community feedback opportunities
Predevelopment Agreement Alignment
Collaboration between the SLBA and Artemis Development to execute a predevelopment agreement
January
Predevelopment Agreement Alignment
2026
Collaboration between the SLBA and Artemis Development to execute a predevelopment agreement
Project Overview & Partner Introductions
Development group introduction to the partners and review of project details and progress to date
February
Predevelopment Agreement Alignment
2026
Collaboration between the SLBA and Artemis Development to execute a predevelopment agreement
Project Overview & Partner Introductions
Development group introduction to the partners and review of project details and progress to date
Charrette Firm Research & Inquiry
Research and inquiry to potential charrette firms with the support of SLBA
March
Charrette Firm Research & Inquiry
2026
Research and inquiry to potential charrette firms with the support of SLBA
Partner Alignment Meetings
Collaborative meetings with all partners to define plan and next steps
Predevelopment Agreement Finalized
April
Charrette Firm Research & Inquiry
2026
Research and inquiry to potential charrette firms with the support of SLBA
Partner Alignment Meetings
Collaborative meetings with all partners to define plan and next steps
May
Partner Alignment Meetings
2026
Collaborative meetings with all partners to define plan and next steps
Partner Workshop
Align with partners through a curated workshop to define what success looks like for the partners, community and project
Partner Workshop Summary
Key Project Stakeholders:
Community (year-round residents, seasonal residents, businesses, employees, organizations and non-profits, and more), government (local village government, neighboring cities and towns, State Land Bank, the state of Michigan, and more), Nature (public outdoor spaces, waterfront, wildlife, and more).
Definition of Success:
Community engagement, attendance and capturing of insights and ideas.
Intentional and thoughtful design of space accommodating the Betsie Valley Trail, parcel connection, parks, amenities, community vitality and more.
Financial stability for project execution as well as community growth and sustainability.
June
Partner Alignment Meetings
2026
Collaborative meetings with all partners to define plan and next steps
Pre-Charrette & Charrette Planning
Develop a schedule of events for charrette preparation and execution
July
Digital & Physical Idea Form
2026
Share your experience of and vision for Elberta with our idea form
Webinar #1
On July 22nd at 6pm we will host a virtual webinar to share details about the project with a community survey to follow. Watch Webinar #1 here
Coffee & Commons
Join us on July 31st, 10am at the Lighthouse Cafe for coffee and conversation about the project
August
Webinar #2
2026
On August 12th at 6pm we will host another virtual webinar focused on the market research that was performed by Sharon Woods with LandUse USA. Watch Webinar #2 here
Focus Group
On August 18th, 19th and 20th we will host focus groups at various times to hear ideas from local organizations, businesses, non-profits and the community (see events page to sign up)
Coffee & Commons
Join us on August 28th, 10am at the Lighthouse Cafe for coffee and conversation about the project (see events page to sign up)
Phone Interviews
Over the month of August we will strategically reach out to various stakeholders for dedicated phone interviews
September
Synthesize & Organize Insights
2026
Take all insights and ideas from the idea form, webinars, community survey, focus groups, interviews and conversations to inform the community charrette
Community Charrette
September 22nd-24th
Execute a comprehensive community charrette over the course of 3 days with multiple feedback loops and opportunities for engagement
October
Post Charrette Activities
2026
Create a detailed summary of the community charrette
Refine Plan
Apply community charrette outcomes to project and site plan
November
Refine Plan
2026
Explore feasibility of the conceptual site plan coming out of the charrette process
Concept Development
Refine site concepts, collaborate with the village, SLBA and GTRLC
Webinar #3
This webinar will focus on the charrette outcomes & findings, held November 16th @6pm (see events page to sign up)
December
Financial Planning
2026
Refine the capital stack and incentives to fund development and construction
Concept Development
Refine site concepts, collaborate with the village, SLBA and GTRLC
Community Updates
Update the informational project website and share project updates with the community
2027 Timeline Coming Soon
Continued Financial Planning
2027
Refine capital stack, incentives and feasibility for construction
Construction Planning
Begin construction planning, timeline and budget for ground breaking
Community Engagement
Continue to build relationships in the community and position fulfillment of development