$1.3M in Revitalization and Placemaking Program funds will support 7 West Michigan placemaking projects

West Michigan economic development organizations Greater Muskegon Economic Development, Lakeshore Advantage, and The Right Place, Inc., in collaboration with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), announces that $1.3 million in funding from the Revitalization and Placemaking (RAP) Program will help spur the development of 7 placemaking projects across the region. The funds were approved recently by the Michigan Strategic Fund board of directors.

RAP is a statewide grant program, managed by the MEDC, to provide funding support for both public placemaking and real estate redevelopment projects. The $1.3 million award was the second-largest regional placemaking award in the state this year. This recent distribution is the third round of funding available to the region. In 2023, the region received $6.1 million to support 17 projects.

The seven projects receiving funding:

• Steele Street Park, City of Ionia, Ionia County | $185,600
• Howard City Depot Revitalization and Placemaking Project, Howard City, Montcalm County | $185,600
• Rowan Park Broadway Streetscape, Muskegon Heights, Muskegon County | $185,600
• Saugatuck Township Town Center, Saugatuck, Allegan County | $185,600
• Holland Bike Park, City of Holland, Ottawa County | $185,600
• Farmer's Market Community Pavilion, Village of Lakeview, Montcalm County | $185,600
• Downtown Newaygo Pocket Park, City of Newago, Newaygo County | $185,600

"Greater Muskegon Economic Development is proud to participate in the initiative our region is taking in making Region 4 one of the most desired areas for businesses and community members to live, work, and play,” said Cathy Brubaker Clarke, Grants and Program Manager, Greater Muskegon Economic Development. “Through our collaboration with the Right Place and Lakeshore Advantage, Region 4 is becoming a strategic destination for investment, talent retention, and long-term economic growth."

“We’re grateful for this collaborative effort to bring regional dollars home to support local placemaking,” said Jennifer Owens, President, Lakeshore Advantage. “Investments in community spaces like the Holland Bike Park and Saugatuck Town Center help bring local visions to life, support vibrant downtowns, and make our region more attractive to the next generation of talent.”

"Collaborating with Lakeshore Advantage and Greater Muskegon Economic Development to bring $10.72 million to fund 32 projects over the last three years is a tremendous achievement," said Tim Mroz, Senior Vice President of Community Development, The Right Place. "Initiatives like the RAP program help our communities provide an incredible quality of life to current and future Michiganders."

A collaborative team from The Right Place, Lakeshore Advantage, and Greater Muskegon Economic Development led the application process for the West Michigan communities applying for funds. Applications were due January 31, 2025. All recipients were notified last week. The project team solicited potential projects from a 13-county area. The organizations received 30 regional placemaking applications from 9 counties, totaling over $7.9m in grant requests. An internal team then evaluated all applications, scoring each one according to the priorities set forth by the MEDC. In the end, seven placemaking projects were selected from 6 different counties with new, innovative ideas to reactivate lost, underutilized, or vacant spaces.

The RAP program provides access to real estate and place-based infrastructure development gap financing through grants of up to $5 million per project for real estate rehabilitation and development, grants of up to $1 million per project for public space improvements, and grants of up to $20 million to local or regional partners who develop a coordinated subgrant program.

Eligible applicants were individuals or entities working to rehabilitate vacant, underutilized, blighted, and historic structures and the development of permanent place-based infrastructure associated with traditional downtowns, social zones, outdoor dining, and place-based public spaces. The RAP program awarded funding to eligible applicants based on one or more competitive application rounds.

About the projects

Holland Bike Park – City of Holland

Located at 97 North River Avenue, the future site of the Holland Bike Park is a large, undeveloped City-owned parcel adjacent to the local D&W grocery store. The project will fully activate this unused parcel, connecting City property north of the River Avenue bridge to downtown Holland and the popular Macatawa River Greenway Trail, which runs from Zeeland to the Lake Michigan lakeshore. When complete, the Holland Bike Park will be a 153,000 square foot (3.5 acre), one-of-a-kind regional destination, providing cyclists and adventure sport enthusiasts with new mountain bike trails through the woods and a formal pump cycle track with features such as berms, rolls, and other structures to challenge users, all while offering unparalleled views of the Macatawa River and easy non-motorized access to downtown Holland’s shopping and dining via the scenic Macatawa River Greenway Trail.

Farmer's Market Community Pavilion – Village of Lakeview

The Village of Lakeview is planning to construct a modern multi-use pavilion for community members to use year round for swap meets, baby showers, birthday parties and family events. Specific community activities include Lakeview's town festival, Fall Fest, Turkey Trot, and Christmas in Lakeview, among other seasonal events. This site is connected to Lakeview’s downtown and is within a block of Tamarack Lake.

Howard City Depot Revitalization – Howard City

The Howard City Freight House, now known as the Depot, is one of the oldest structures in Howard City, dating back around 150 years. Once a vital railroad stop, it continues to serve the community as a hub for activities such as holiday celebrations, farmers markets, and recreational use by snowmobilers, bikers, and walkers, thanks to its location along the Fred Meijer White Pine State Park Trail. The goal is to preserve the Depot’s historical significance while enhancing the area's economic vitality. The interior improvements include HVAC and finishes for a usable public space including a historical museum, possible leased space, Information center, community events, farmers markets, etc. Improvements include an overhand extension and picnic tables to increase the outdoor public use space and keep up with the increasing demand for the White Pine Trail. Other improvements include trash receptacles, benches, site lighting, and security cameras to provide a safe and user-friendly environment.

Downtown Newaygo Pocket Park – City of Newaygo

This project entails converting a vacant building/property located in the center of downtown into a beautiful pocket park that will serve as a central attraction in downtown. It is located between the County’s newly renovated museum and a future restaurant. Approximately 7,500 sq ft of public space will be revitalized. This space will support small businesses as it is in the center of the downtown where many small businesses are located. The project will be part of the city's downtown Social District which is used year round. To make the space even more attractive and usable in the winter, a fireplace feature is planned.

Rowan Park Broadway Streetscape – City of Muskegon Heights

The construction plans include appropriate street trees, street furniture, pedestrian-scale lighting, scored concrete pavers, bump-outs for on-street parking, and safer crosswalks and other amenities. As part of the larger streetscape project along 900 feet of the Broadway street and 650 feet along Peck, traffic lanes will be narrowed, there will be new crosswalks, sidewalk bump-outs, planted trees, installation of physical assets such as pedestrian streetlights, benches, and trash receptacles. New cycle tracks (protected bike lanes) will be added for safe travel and crosswalks will encourage pedestrian movement across Broadway between businesses, residences, cultural venues, and Rowan Park. This project will add several improvements to Muskegon Heights's downtown area in terms of active mobility infrastructure, safety measures, and urban foresting.

Steele Street Park – City of Ionia

The City’s proposed Steele Street Park is a transformative project that will revitalize a vacant 7.7-acre parcel into a vibrant, multi-phase recreational complex, with the centerpiece being a versatile performing arts pavilion. The initial phase of Steele Street Park will establish critical infrastructure and amenities on approximately one acre of the site. Parking facilities will be constructed to accommodate visitors, ensuring convenient and accessible entry to the park and its offerings. ADA-compliant sidewalks will provide connectivity between the parking area, the performing arts pavilion, the Fred Meijer Trail, and the downtown area, promoting seamless access for pedestrians and individuals with mobility challenges. Strategically placed benches throughout the site will create welcoming spaces for relaxation, socialization, and observation, enhancing the overall visitor experience.

Saugatuck Township Town Center – Saugatuck Township

The Saugatuck Township Pedestrian Plaza is a transformative initiative designed to revitalize a key segment of the Blue Star Highway, creating a vibrant and accessible public space. The project will reimagine approximately one acre site into a thoughtfully designed pedestrian plaza. Revitalization efforts will include landscaping, hardscaping, and infrastructure upgrades to create an inviting and functional public environment. The proposed future uses of the plaza include safe, ADA-compliant pedestrian walkways to connect neighboring businesses and amenities, promoting accessibility and walkability within the Blue Star Highway corridor. The plaza will also serve as a community gathering space, featuring seating areas, shaded zones, and open spaces for relaxation and social interaction, as well as hosting events such as farmers' markets, live performances, and seasonal festivals.