Emmet County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Emmet County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Lake Shore Drive reconstruction
The Road Commission is engineering a lower Lake Shore Drive reconstruction, and that stretch will be closed for the winter — plan your routes accordingly.
M-119 corridor MDOT concerns
Multiple residents asked the board to lead on restoring the M-119 corridor and creating a stormwater management plan, citing flooding around Harbor Springs and Cross Village. Some homeowners are threatening to challenge property assessments if the road isn't fixed. The Drain Commissioner reportedly says the issue falls to MDOT.
Pellston Regional Airport Taxiway Reconstruction
The county hired Mead and Hunt to oversee construction administration for the airport's taxiway rebuild. The airport is a regional economic asset, and this keeps the project moving with professional oversight.
M-119 Flood Damage and Road Closures
Recent flooding and storms have closed stretches of M-119, and Administrator Boyer warned some closures will be long term. That affects commuters, tourists and businesses along the shore corridor.
VIP Parking Shuttle Service
Salvation Army will bus VIP parkers between Filmore's Restaurant and the fair from 3 p.m. to about 10:30 p.m., following the Johnson Bus route.
Pellston Regional Airport improvement projects
A slate of projects is wrapping up or underway — painting, roofing, carpet, asbestos removal, runway crack sealing, and upcoming taxiway work funded by FAA and EGLE grants. Overnight scheduling of runway intersection painting keeps flights unaffected.
Pellston Airport Obstruction Removal Grant
The County would accept a federal FAA grant for removing obstructions at Pellston Regional Airport under the federal infrastructure law. The agreement has a hard deadline — it must be signed by June 4, 2026.