West Shore Community College (WSCC) President Scott Ward presented the Hart City Council with the college’s vision for the new WSCC Hart Facility and Community Center, which will be going into the old Gale’s IGA storefront. Ward cited their success with another satellite facility in Manistee, which was rehabilitated from a similar “obsolete and dilapidated” building in 2019 and opened in 2021, and has exceeded expectations as a dedicated community center.
Ward said that the college envisioned the same for Hart, with a concept to “bring partners together to improve their community and look at the college for more than just an academic resource. We are also an economic development entity, (and) we are also a social agency.”
The building will house a food bank provided by the Lakeshore Food Club, a community gathering space, an office suite and flexible classrooms and lab areas for the college to utilize. The office suite will function as space for nonprofit organizations, with Michigan Works! already lined up as a tenant. The plans - conceptual designs were provided for the presentation - also boast a drive-thru extension of Stella’s coffee shop and improved downtown streetscaping.
The project is funded through West Shore Community College, with $2.5 million coming in from outside funding sources along with a $1 million grant from the State of Michigan. For Ward, to be awarded this grant is “an outstanding testament to this project and the needs in Oceana County.”
Construction is set to start in January, and the facility is expected to open in fall 2026.
Following the presentation, Ward fielded questions from the board regarding the facility and the expected impact for Oceana County citizens of having a WSCC satellite in the area. Councilmember Jim Cunningham asked if Hart High School (HHS) students enrolled in the college’s CTE program would still need to travel to the main campus in Scottville. Ward clarified that, while the bulk of college classes will still be held in Scottville, classes operating in the flexible classrooms at the Hart facility may relieve some HHS CTE students.
Cat Burillo asked if the addition of the satellite facility would expand the college district and allow more Oceana County students to receive in-district tuition costs. Ward said that, while the facility would not affect the college district, which is informed by voting districts, the facility will still act as a great service to Oceana County as a community center and food bank.
Andrew Mullen had no questions, rather commenting on how his HHS FIRST Robotics Club students were excited to see the plans and eagerly await the opening of the facility.
Resolutions numbered 2025-53 through 2025-58 were all passed unanimously by council, authorizing the purchase of snowblowers, sale of property and awarding of contracts. Resolution 2025-54 saw the turning back of a portion of State Street from MDOT with $2.45 million to fund improvements. The planned improvements will be incorporated into the Downtown Hart Streetscape project at no added cost to the city.
Resolution 2025-53 saw the expansion of duties for the Deputy Clerk Laci McAuliffe, who will now also fill an HR role. As City Manager Nichole Kleiner explained, the city saw a gap they wished to fill, and the Personnel Committee believes McAuliffe’s attention to detail, accuracy and communication with City of Hart staff will lead to her success with her new duties. For other hirings, the Hart City Police is seeking a temporary patrol officer in preparation for two consecutive upcoming short-staffings expected over 18 months.
The city is seeking bids for right-of-way correction on a dirt road portion of South Plum Street to follow the power lines. While a survey of the area showed that the dirt road would need to be corrected regardless to align with correct property lines, Kleiner wished to show the council visuals of how much the realignment would affect residents. This alignment is in anticipation of the Safe Routes to School project. Residents along the affected area have been informed of the correction and were invited to attend an information session, which very few did.
