The Benton Harbor Planning Commission has signed off on a site plan for new public space along the riverfront south of Emma Jean Hull Flats.

At a meeting this week, planners heard from Chris Cook with Harbor Shores. He said the golf course owns a strip of land along the river that would be ideal for light recreation.

Cook told planners about the proposal.

“These would be a plaza that would include room for some food trucks, some covered space for people to sit under shade and either have food or just be there,” Cook said. “There would be shade structures as well as trees in that particular area, some open space for recreational activities, and then some access to the water.”

The plan does include flood mitigation, which might involve elevating the parcel or installing a rain garden.

The public gathering space on private land is being financed with a $1 million grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, funds from Harbor Shores, and a $25,000 contribution from the city of Benton Harbor.

The Benton Harbor Planning Commission approved the site plan with an understanding developers will return with more details on maintenance, flood mitigation, and parking.