Funds will be used for the Guy Community Center
By Barb Pert Templeton
The City of Marine City was recently awarded a direct allocation from the State of Michigan budget in the amount of $1 million. The notification came to the city following the recent signing of the State of Michigan budget for the 2025 – 2026 budget year.
In a press release from the city on Oct. 10, City Manager Michael Reaves said funds will be utilized at for Guy Community Center project located on Ward Street near S. Parker Street.
Marine City Manager Michael Reaves.
The award will be utilized for the entire project, as well as allowance to meet the remaining amount of match funds needed for other grants received by the city for this project. The grant award is significant for the completion of future development at the Guy Community Center site and for improvements to the existing facilities, Reaves stated.
This grant award will also allow the city to apply the funding towards an additional Revitalization and Placemaking grant recently awarded by the State of Michigan. Combined, both grants will result in a broad redevelopment at the Guy Center that can be enjoyed by all residents and visitors to the complex.
We will commence the planning and project work required to begin this project as soon as possible.
“The city is thankful for all the recent grant awards which together will bring over $2,000,000. of new investments and improvements to the former Marine City Lions Club and adjacent park area now known as the Guy Community Center,” Reaves said.
“We have been on quite the roll in a number of grants, issues, programs, etc. Hard work pays off for our residents.”
Marine City Manager Michael Reaves
This grant also represents the commitment to local communities like Marine City from the State of Michigan, especially Representative Jay DeBoyer, the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation, the St. Clair County Community Foundation, and other grant organizations that assist them in achieving their critical missions and focus.
Blue Water Healthy Living: How did this opportunity come about for the city – application or a grant or just an outright allocation? Do you know what part of the state budget this money will be allocated from?
Marine City Manager Michael Reaves: We have been having discussions with all our federal senators & representatives for a while on federal earmarks for our community. Additionally, we have also been speaking with our state govt contacts as well. We initially were zeroed in on infrastructure issues and help; however, thru a mishap our request didn’t get filed in time; so, we took the next best step of requesting to assist with a community project. Without the assistance of Representative DeBoyer this would not have happened for us.
BWHL: Can you share a few examples of specific improvements the money might be used for at the Lions Hall?
Reaves: This will allow for us to complete the entire project as planned; it will allow us to meet our match for the already received MEDC Rap grant, and the RCWJF grant – along with a few smaller grants. We may even have some resources left over to address other issues at the project that we thought might not be attainable. The vast majority (over 95%) of this entire project is grant driven – which is remarkable for our size of community.
BWHL: Does the city receive these state funds right away?
Reaves: There is a process that the state utilizes. We are awaiting the processing of paperwork, agreements, etc. to move forward. We are already meeting with our engineers and design folks though…planning forward
BWHL: This seems an impressive windfall for the city, has there been anything of this significance over the last few decades?
Reaves: Not that I am aware of. We have been on quite the roll in a number of grants, issues, programs, etc. Hard work pays off for our residents.
A bit of background: The city purchased the Lions Club for $315,000 in December 2024. The new building will be known as the Otto and Bertha Guy Community Center. The city will use $200,000 in funds from the sale of the original Guy Center building at 303 Water Street to make the purchase along with a $57,000 grant from St. Clair County and a $58,000 loan the city will take out and have five years to pay off.
Plans:
The plans for the center shared by the city last year included:
· additional parking
· outdoors restroom facility
· a renovated and updated year-round use pavilion
· splashpad, camping and park grounds for farmers market / craft show capability
· among several other ideas.
