A long-awaited project in the city of Ionia has received a funding boost, but officials are still looking for more financial support.
Steele Street’s revitalization is one of several West Michigan placemaking projects to receive a portion of $1.3 million from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Revitalization and Placemaking Program.
Three local economic development organizations — Greater Muskegon Economic Development, Lakeshore Advantage and The Right Place, Inc. — announced seven separate projects will receive $185,600 as part of a regional award.
Ionia also received $400,000 earlier this year from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
But even with those grants, more funding is needed to cover the expected remaining costs for the project’s first phase, affected by the inflated cost of building materials.
“This is a project that’s been talked about and dreamed about for a while,” said Ionia Assistant City Manager and City Clerk Jonathan Bowman. “Unfortunately, our costs continue to increase. Limited funds are available, so we’re currently evaluating the project as a whole.”
The city’s most recent estimate is nearly $1.5 million, Bowman said, which is nearly $400,000 more than the original budget. Between the two grants, the city has $585,600.
The hope for Steele Street is to revitalize a vacant 7.7-acre parcel into a vibrant, multi-phase recreational complex. The centerpiece of the project is a performing arts pavilion. The first phase of the project would also include a parking lot, pickleball courts, a grass volleyball court, public restrooms and storage space.
Other plans include ADA-compliant sidewalks connected to the parking area, strategically placed benches, and an overall goal of creating welcoming spaces for relaxation, socialization and observation.
The city is looking at public and private donations, including crowdfunding sources, to make up the funding shortfall, Bowman said.
“We still want to bid out the project (to general contractors) this year (and) hope that construction will begin sometime next year,” Bowman said.
Bowman said he’s confident the project will still happen, but he isn’t sure if enough funds will exist to support the full plan.
“It’s exciting to start seeing it come together,” Bowman said. “I think it’ll build upon our downtown and the entire corridor.”
— M. Alan Scott is a freelance writer for The Sentinel-Standard. Contact the newsroom at newsroom@sentinel-standard.com.
This article originally appeared on Ionia Sentinel-Standard: Ionia receives funding for Steele Street Park, but it’s not enough. Here’s the plan
Reporting by M. Alan Scott / Ionia Sentinel-Standard
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