(WSBT) It's called Harbor Shores, and many hope it will become one of the hottest vacation destinations in the country. The 530-acre project spans parts of Benton Harbor, St. Joseph and Benton Charter Township.

The project is getting full support from the federal and state government.
Michigan's Governor Jennifer Granholm and Congressman Fred Upton were at Lake Michigan College Monday evening for a celebration of the project. The governor has been a major supporter of the project from the beginning.

WSBT News got an up-close look at the scope of the plans and what it will take to make Harbor Shores a reality.

Right now the property includes park land, abandoned factories, and superfund sites.

It will cost millions to clean and decontaminate.

Developers also plan to use part of Jean Klock Park on Benton Harbor's lakefront for three holes of the golf course.

That plan has drawn some vocal critics.

"It will have three holes of the golf course included in the park, but the park itself will be expanded on 46 additional acres that the public doesn't have access to," explained Wendy Dant Chesser of Cornerstone Alliance.

"That's really not what's going on," said LuAnne Kozma of Defense of Space. "It's really a much more invasive project that will take the most valuable parts of Jean Klock Park out of the public and give it over to a private venture."

Opponents were at Lake Michigan College on Monday protesting the development.

They say they still plan to fight the use of the park for the golf course. Developers say they hope to begin construction by this summer.

The entire project won't be completed until 2016.