Michigan Downtown Project Highlights

The Marquette Commons Project has been in the planning stages since 1999.  Community forums and sessions resulted in a project that is destined to be a focal point in the Downtown, City, and region. The project includes a warming/gathering facility with an indoor fireplace, public restrooms, 14,000 sq foot plaza for summer concerts and farmers market that is converted to an ice surface for winter recreational skating.  

The project has received international and statewide recognition and has resulted in over $2 million in grant funding for related projects including a contribution by the Board of Light and Power to remove the overhead wires at the project site.   

The $1.1 project is funded with a $750,000 bond issued by the DDA, a $280,000 Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant from the DNR, a $100,000 Cool Cities Catalyst Grant received from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and a $16,400 capital improvement grant from the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs.

Opened for skating in January 2007 the rink has become a popular destination in Downtown.  The Commons is managed and operated by the Marquette Downtown Development Authority.

For information on this project, contact Mona Lang at mlang@downtownmarquette.org.

During a strategic planning session of the Gaylord Downtown Development Authority Board of Directors in February of 1999, a suggestion was made to develop a protected area within the DDA district to be used for community events.  The thought was that if we could build a covered area within the DDA district that would provide shelter for different events, but that would still be open for vehicular traffic during non-event times we would attract visitors downtown while still providing for our local merchants and residents.  While the idea was initially considered to be a pipedream, the concept of an area dedicated to special events targeted to draw additional visitors to the downtown area was one that had solid merit in the eyes of the 13 DDA board members. 

To transition the pipedream into reality the board first scheduled meetings with various public sector entities within the community to discuss the potential uses for such an area.  It became apparent that many people would meet this type of venue within the downtown area with great enthusiasm.

 Following meetings with the City Council, DDA board of directors, Bond Counsel and Financial Advisors the DDA in conjunction with the City of Gaylord outlined a means to pay for the project through a City issued limited tax development bond.  The City was prepared to pay for the street improvements and infrastructure while the DDA would pay for the pavilion structure, site elements and sound system.  Total costs for the improvements were $885,000.00. 

 The DDA board of directors and City Council worked with a local engineering firm and architect to design a structure that would fit into the Alpine motif that is used throughout the City.  The purpose of the structure was to provide a sheltered area for seasonal events, as well as, concerts, trade shows, farmers markets and art/antique shows.  The design allows for the street to be open to vehicular traffic while not in use for an event.  The structure itself is 150 feet long and is 75 feet wide.  The lowest point of the structure is 14’ 6” and at its highest point is 32 feet.  Dormers are placed throughout the roof of the structure to provide natural light in the structure as well as a means of preventing ice and snowfall from the roof.  Decorative brick pavers are used in the street as well as on the sidewalk for the entire block providing a unique and quaint atmosphere. 

 The pavilion structure has its own sound system that is used for events held under the pavilion.  The system is linked to the sound system that the City currently uses throughout the downtown to play background music on a daily basis.

 While the structure may have its few critics it seems to have generated a true “community spirit” enthusiasm during weekly concerts.  The structure also provided a great place to enjoy our annual Alpenfest as well as the local Gus Macker basketball tournament in June.  The City of Gaylord is truly fortunate to have a progressive thinking DDA board of directors and City Council that were willing to take something of a “pipedream” and make it a reality!

Photographs by Bradley Butcher & Associates, P.C.
Technical Assistance by Karen Kramer Clark

In downtown Holland this winter, the Downtown Development Authority and the Holland Area Arts Council are co-sponsoring the second annual ReMastered banner program. Thirty-nine banners were installed in 2006; 2007 brings an additional 17. This project challenges local artists to select recognizable or classic works of art and "remaster" them slightly to reflect a Holland theme. The street banners are designed and hand painted by artists and are installed after the New Year until the Tulip Time festival in May (some remain for the festival). Besides triggering a bit of interest in art, the banners are intended to draw attention to downtown in what is typically a slower time of year.

While she was the last speaker for the Annual Meeting in Ann Arbor, she was far from the least!  Karen Keown, Economic Development Coordinator for the Kentucky Heritage Council, presents some Kentucky success stories of effective downtown marketing.