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 and 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
Webinar #1
2026
Host an educational webinar focused on the details of the project
Digital & Physical Survey
Gather insights from community leading up to the charrette
Coffee & Conversation
Host local in person opportunities to connect with the community and share project details
August
Webinar #2
2026
Host an educational webinar focused on the market research findings for Benzie county
Focus Group
Perform focus group gatherings to hear ideas from local organizations, businesses and non-profits
Phone Interviews
Perform group and individual phone interviews to gather community insights
September
Synthesize & Organize Insights
2026
Take all insights and ideas from the webinars, survey, focus groups, interviews and conversations to inform the community charrette
Community Charrette
Week of September 21st
Execute comprehensive community charrette over the course of 3 days with multiple feedback loops as well as 2 internal working days
October
Post Charrette Activities
2026
Create a detailed summary of the community charrette and apply outcomes to the overall site plan
Webinar #3
Host a webinar focused on community charrette outcomes and findings
Refine Plan
Apply community charrette outcomes to project and site plan
November
Refine Plan
2026
Apply community charrette outcomes to project and site plan
Update Zoning
Work with the village to adapt zoning for appropriate land use
Concept Development
Create site plan concepts, collaborate with the village and SLBA
Community Engagement
Update the informational project website and share project updates with the community
December
Update Zoning
2026
Work with the village to adapt zoning for appropriate land use
Community Engagement
Update the informational project website and share project updates with the community
Concept Development
Create site plan concepts, collaborate with the village and SLBA
Financial Planning
Refine capital stack and incentives to fund development and construction of the project
2027 Timeline Coming Soon
Continued Financial Planning
2027
Refine capital stack and incentives for construction
Construction Planning
Begin construction planning, timeline and budget for ground breaking
Spring/Summer Ground Breaking
Kick off construction with a construction ground breaking in Elberta
Community Engagement
Continue to build relationships in the community and position fulfillment of development