Harbor Shores CEO Stepping Down Before Development Complete

by Nora Gathings (hsgathings@wsbt.com)

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Harbor Shores CEO Stepping Down Before Development Complete

By Jim Pinkerton

Story Created: Nov 13, 2007 at 9:00 PM EST

Story Updated: Apr 17, 2008 at 10:03 PM EST

(WSBT) The CEO behind a $500 million development in Benton Harbor is resigning. Mark Mitchell will stop working on the Harbor Shores project at the end of the year, which is still in the planning stages.

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It won't be finished for seven to 10 years, but Mitchell says the project is moving along and he's looking for the next big project.

"This is a labor of love. This was never a job. This was never work. This was something exciting to show up to every day," said Mark Mitchell, President and CEO of The Alliance for World-Class Communities.

Mitchell doesn't have a new job.

"What I'd like to do is figure out an opportunity that would exist here in Michigan. Michigan is home to me," said Mitchell.

The Harbor Shores project hit some bumps when the National Park Service rejected plans for a golf course on 22 acres of park land along Lake Michigan.

When asked if he was forced out because of that, Mitchell wasn't given a chance to respond.

"Let me answer that. This project is moving exceptionally fast," said David Whitwam, Chairman of The Alliance Board, who stepped in to answer the question.

Developers now have to resubmit a plan that would include a 30 day notice for a public hearing and wouldn't give them control of the unused land at Jean Klock Park.

"The mantra that's been stated relative to opposition has been destruction of the dunes and non-access to Benton Harbor residents. If you look at the letter, neither of those issues were raised," said Mitchell.

There are stakes marking where the golf course holes will be. Friends of Jean Klock Park say project planners are being a little too presumptuous.

"They think it's a done deal, but it's not. We have a long way to go," said Carole Drake of Friends of Jean Klock Park. "We shouldn't even be here to talk about it to begin with. This park has so many restrictions and protections on it."

Once people in Benton Harbor finally see the plan, Drake says developers won't be able to take over the park without a fight.

"It's heart wrenching. There is not much left on the shore that isn't developed," said Drake.

The developers say they are restructuring their team and will distribute Mitchell's responsibilities among different employees. They are still hoping to open the golf course Memorial Day 2009.

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