SCC Commissioners Approve Blue Water Convention Center Project

The St. Clair County Board of Commissioners approved the Blue Water Convention Center project at last night’s meeting.  In a 6-1 vote, the commissioners approved a resolution that allows the county to enter in to contracts with its private partners in a larger 15.5-acre development project along the Thomas Edison Parkway in Port Huron.  Steven Simasko was the only opposing vote, stating he feels the current plan places too much financial risk on the county.  The convention center will be the publicly-owned part of a development plan  on the Thomas Edison Parkway.   It was announced in October that private partners will renovate the Thomas Edison Inn into a Hilton hotel and a Twisted Rooster restaurant. In conjunction, Baker College wants to build a culinary arts school – which will house a student-run restaurant and eventually student housing.  The resolution requires the county’s partners on the project to meet specific stipulations before the county purchases the property adjacent to the Thomas Edison Inn for construction of the $9 million convention center.