Alternative Slideshow
Facade Rehabilitation - Large Community: The restoration of the Century Club in downtown Muskegon marked the first building returned to productive use from what was once part of the Muskegon Mall. Restored and rehabilitated by Century Club Development, LLC into Hegg’s Gallery of Fine Furniture, the work done was an immaculate restoration effort.
Facade Rehabilitation - Small Community: The rehabilitation of Copies Plus in downtown Cedar Springs (Kent County) utilized historic color choices and building materials to showcase the late 19th century architecture at every angle. These renovations with addition of two (2) residential units upstairs compliment the downtown’s mixed-use functionality.
Green Project - Large Community: In March of 2008 the Grand Rapids Art Museum received a gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program—the first and only newly built art museum in the world to receive LEED certification.
Green Project - Small Community: Ypsilanti Food Cooperative installed solar panels to significantly cut back the energy used at their facility.
Innovation: The Afterschool Arts Apprenticeship (AAA) Program in downtown Marshall helps develop the youth assets of our community. Library staff, local professional artists, representatives from downtown businesses, and parents designed the AAA program which has more than 200 youth engaged in the organized after school activities with sales of student products topping $1000. Apprentice studios have been offered in clay arts, paper & printing, textiles, fused glass and technology arts/computer animation.
Living Downtown: Two abandoned warehouses in downtown Grand Rapids are now one of the city’s most popular residences. Hopson Flats offers 100,000-square-feet of stylish renovation and big city feel. The $9 million project includes 42 upper level apartments, and 9000 sq. feet of street level retail space. A game lounge with 30-foot ceilings is filled with ping-pong, billiards, shuffleboard, and a big screen TV and audio system, creating a natural place where residents can congregate, recreate and hold group meetings.
Michigan Main Street - Design Committee: The Niles Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Main Street’s Design Committee worked with Michigan State Historic Preservation Office over a period of three (3) years researching properties in the district in order to have the district listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The district received designation on the National Register of Historic Places in June 2007.
Michigan Main Street - Economic Restructuring Committee: Main Street Calumet along with the Village of Calumet, Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, River Valley Bank and numerous volunteers helped make this redevelopment project a reality. Through this cooperative agreement, River Valley Bank sold the building to Calumet for half its value in exchange for a six year lease agreement. Without the financing partners and valuable volunteers this project could not have moved forward with such success.
Michigan Main Street - Manager of the Year: The Muskegon Main Street has been assiting the City of Muskegon who is in the process of rebuilding itself. Dan Rinsema-Sybenga, Muskegon Main Street Project Manager, is the “eyes and ears” for the downtown property and business owners. He is most often found walking the sidewalks or riding his bike along the downtown streets, as he stops to work with various owners downtown. Downtown Muskegon would not be moving forward at the fast past that it is, without Dan at the “helm".
Michigan Main Street - Organization Committee: The Clare Main Street Organization Committee began a project in 2006 called "Roll Out the Barrows" taking a wheelbarrow and converting it into a work of art for public outdoor display and fundraiser. Following years focused on mailboxes, "We've Got Mail!" and steel garbage cans, "Canned Art!" with local businesses and local artists partnering with the Clare Main Street. In all, more than 75 objects have been converted into art, with funds raised so far in excess of $5,650.00.
Michigan Main Street - Program of the Year: Into the 5th year of the Michigan Main Street program, Marshall Main Street has made great progress in revitalizing and sustaining long-term economic stability for Marshall’s central business district. Staying true to the mission statement, volunteers and staff of Marshall Main Street worked through 2007-2008 with the goal of providing an attractive place to shop, live, and work while enhancing the historic identity.
Michigan Main Street - Promotion Committee: Marshall Main Street Blues Festival is a free outdoor music festival featuring nationally and regionally known Blues artists. This one-day festival is held in July, on Michigan Avenue (Main Street) in downtown Marshall. Approximately 6,000 have attended this festival in a rural community of only 7,400 total Marshall residents. Marshall Blues Festival is a celebration that brings the community and region together to experience live blues music.
Michigan Main Street - Robert Busby Volunteer of the Year: Amanda Hightree of the Old Town Commercial Association (OTCA) and Old Town Main Street program has been a volunteer for several years, moving up the ranks from a general volunteer to a member of the OTCA board of directors. Amanda is amazing. Despite a full time job she still manages to dedicate a tremendous amount of time and energy to Old Town’s revitalization efforts. Without complaint she always tries to make things easier for others. It is an honor for Amanda to receive the Robert Busby Volunteer of the Year award. This award was named after beloved resident, Robert Busby, whose dream was to revitalize Old Town through support of local arts and community.
Redevelopment: Built in 1904, the Pere Marquette Depot in downtown Bay City was rehabilitated in 2007 to restore the exterior and interior spaces to their original appearance. The adaptive reuse now accommodates the offices of the Bay Area Community Foundation and the Bay Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Award Winners 2009
