The City of Port Huron has entered into a purchase agreement for the historic Lixie Fisheries property next to the 12th Street Boat Ramp on Water Street.
Port Huron City Manager James Freed says the 2.6-acre site will be used for a new city park along the Black River.
According to Freed, to acquire the site without using local general tax dollars, city staff submitted a special off-schedule grant application to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The transaction depends on receiving the state grant award and gaining official approval from Port Huron City Council. If the acquisition moves forward, a targeted opening of the site for public access and community activities would be next spring.
City officials intend to retain the Lixie family name on the site to honor its nearly 90-year history on the riverfront by naming the project “Lixie’s Landing Park”.
Proposed Features for “Lixie’s Landing Park”:
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Building Conversion: Renovation of the blue fish market structure to include ADA-accessible restrooms, showers, and a fish-cleaning station for anglers.
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Outdoor Infrastructure: Construction of a boat ramp, pavilion, overflow parking for the boat launch, and a designated urban camping site.
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Youth & Environmental Programming: Educational partnerships with local non-profits, including Friends of the St. Clair River.
Freed emphasized the rare nature of securing the location for public use.
“We could actually have a generational acquisition here to make more waterfrontage available to families in Port Huron,” Freed said. “I really want to give kids that access, mom and dad that access to the waterfront.”
Lixie Fisheries will remain open and operating as usual while municipal plans move forward.
