Q&A with Marine City manager sharing lots of the details
By Barb Pert Templeton
A large pavilion, a fire pit, a splash pad, outdoor restrooms, parking spots, a park area and eventually, a large colorful mural. Those are the amenities and updates currently planned at the Guy Community Center in Marine City.
“Amongst a bunch of other improvements,” City Manager Michael Reaves told commissioners at an April 2 meeting. “I hope to turn this into a little community gem for our residents and their families to utilize.”
Reaves said the project is being completely funded through grant awards.
Marine City Commissioner Sean O’Brien shared his gratitude for all the work being completed at the Guy Community Center in the city.
“We received about $2.2 million dollars in terms of different grants and awards and direct allocations, so this is not city general fund money that’s going for this project,” Reaves said. “It’s not taxpayer based where we collected money and we’re putting money into that.”
“And To be fair, when you write the grant you can’t use that money for anything other than the Guy Center,” Commissioner Trish May commented.
“I cannot, it is restricted for that purpose,” Reaves replied. “So as much as some people would like me to spend it on a road or reducing water bills, legally it’s impossible.”
Reaves then informed the commission that a lot of construction activity is about to start at the Guy Center which was formerly the Lions Hall.
The building will continue to be open for rentals with City Clerk Jason Bell keeping track of the schedule for rentals while keeping an eye on construction as it progresses, Reaves added.
“I hope to turn this into a little community gem for our residents and their families to utilize.”
Marine City Manager Micheal Reaves on the Guy Community Center.
Commissioner Sean O’Brien took time during his commissioner privilege comments to share his appreciation for all the great things going on at the center.
“I want to give my gratitude and shock that we’ve been able to pull off the Guy Center through so many grants, that’s incredibly hard work, Mike you and your team really fantastic on that, props and thank you for it,” O’Brien said.
Blue Water Healthy Living sent a series of questions to Reaves via email to find out more about the project.
Blue Water Healthy Living: Has work on the improvements at the Guy Center started and if so what’s first and if not, when will it begin?
Marine City Manager Michael Reaves: Yes, it has. We had entered an engineering and construction administration contract with F&V Engineering, so that started the process. We are in the process of completing drawings, starting the bid process for some items, and the general construction contracts. The recent bids awarded the contracts for the large four-season pavilion, and the restrooms.
BWHL: Picking up $2.2 million dollars in funding for this community center is impressive – how long have various funding sources been in the works – translation – has this all been achieved over the last 18 months since you were named city manager? –
Reaves: Yes, all have been achieved since I started here. When I came to Marine City the Guy Community center was at the city hall – and couldn’t really function as a “Community Center”. The funds for this purpose were restricted. When I learned of the Lions club downsizing – I thought it might fit. We started the process, sold the Lions club on the “vision” -started writing grants, requests for Earmarks, etc. It all came together over a relatively short time period.
BWHL: Can you explain a bit about the specific projects in terms of what’s new and what’s just being updated?
“I want to give my gratitude and shock that we’ve been able to pull off the Guy Center through so many grants, that’s incredibly hard work. Mike (City Manager Reaves) you and your team have been really fantastic on that, props and thank you for it.”
Marine City Commissioner Sean O’Brien
Reaves: The Lion club interior was recently enhanced and updated. We painted the entire inside, put down a new floor, and modernized some essentials, adding keyless access, etc. We established a rental process and easy scheduling via our website as well.
The outside will have all new amenities. The restrooms are new, the pavilion is new, all the walkways, fire pit, sitting area, splash pad, park area, fencing, new or additional parking area on East side of bldg., new front door vestibule, new access to the East side of the hall – all updates with this plan.
BWHL: What’s planned for the park area – playground equipment like swings and slides or?
Reaves: That is yet to be determined. Right now, an open area for kids to run and play – may include some horseshoe pits, – we will see.
BWHL: How about sharing some details about the mural? Where will it be placed, what will it depict and who’s the artist behind the work?
Reaves: We haven’t yet determined who will paint the murals on the bldg. I want to change the colors to reflect our blue river history – like our city hall colors. I am looking for a bright, festive hand painted mural across an area of the bldg. – something that draws your attention and brings color and life to the area. I am open to other suggestions and ideas. I also like artwork that allows for “posing and picture taking” with the art as the background.
BWHL: How about the center’s interior – any of these grants or awards designated for work on the building’s interior or is that all set?
Reaves: That’s too be determined -but that’s also a good idea. We also need to remember that it serves as a rental hall as well.
BWHL: Since this is an ongoing project are there still contracts to be awarded for specific projects – like the restrooms, the parking and the playground?
Reaves: Yes -multiple contracts. Will those be brought before the commission for approval before they are awarded? Yes / No – We follow our purchasing policy. So, if they are within our ability to approve at our level – then we will. Everything else will be brought before the commission. I like to keep them informed of what we are doing.
BWHL: Do you have a projected date for having the whole project completed and up and running for the community?
Reaves: The majority of the work is in 2026; but we will complete the project in the spring of 2027.
The Guy Community Center is located at 545 Ward Street in Marine City .
