PORT HURON, MI — More than seven years after city officials first set out to transform an overlooked corner of downtown, more than 50 people gathered July 6 to celebrate the completion of the Military Street Bridge Pocket Park.
Guests came and went throughout the two-hour reception overlooking the Black River, touring the new pavilion, enjoying refreshments and reflecting on the yearslong effort that turned what was once described as a “little forgotten park” into a new waterfront gathering space.
Although the park quietly opened to the public June 25, the reception served as both a celebration of the completed project and an opportunity to recognize the local engineers, contractors, fabricators and city staff who helped bring it to life.
Years in the making
Plans to redevelop the park date back to 2019, when Natalie Watson, then the Downtown Development Authority director, began exploring ways to better utilize the small waterfront space at the corner of Military and Water streets.
Initial discussions centered on modest improvements before the vision expanded in 2021 under Cynthia Broomfield, then the DDA director, into a complete redevelopment featuring improved accessibility, new seating, glass railings overlooking the Black River and a covered performance space.
The DDA approved the roughly $515,000 project in late 2022 using funding from the Water Street Tax Increment Financing District.
Construction began in 2023 but encountered multiple setbacks, including supply chain delays, foundation issues and the eventual abandonment of the original shade sail design after engineers determined it would not withstand the site’s wind conditions. The redesign ultimately resulted in the permanent steel pavilion that now anchors the park.
Asked about the lengthy timeline, Mayor Pro Tem Sherry Archibald said the delays ultimately produced a better project.
“It was a long time to get here,” Archibald said. “That original design just wasn’t going to work. We had to regroup, rethink it, bring in a new engineer and design something very different. I think this is a far better model.”
Former DDA Director Natacha Hayden, who oversaw portions of the project’s development and is now program officer for community impact with the Community Foundation of St. Clair County, said the finished product was worth the wait.
“I love the finished product,” Hayden said. “There have been a few bumps in the road, but I gotta give it to Cynthia Broomfield, who actually took over the leadership in this project and really made it happen.”
Broomfield later served as Port Huron’s deputy city manager and helped guide the project through its redesign and final construction before leaving the city in June 2026.
Built for the community
During remarks to attendees, City Manager James Freed said the evening was intended to recognize the many local businesses and tradespeople who helped overcome the project’s challenges.
Freed thanked the DDA for funding the project through the Water Street TIF, noting the revenue generated within the district is legally restricted to waterfront redevelopment projects.
He also recognized city staff and numerous local engineers, welders, electricians, contractors and fabricators who contributed to the project, including Bill Thrash, whom Freed credited with developing the pavilion concept after the original shade sail design proved unworkable.
During the reception, Freed told the Times Herald the city has already received “scores and scores” of inquiries from residents interested in hosting weddings, family reunions, retirement parties and other gatherings at the pavilion.
“This is built for the community,” Freed said.
Freed said one accomplishment he is especially proud of is that the project was designed and built almost entirely by local companies.
“What I’m most proud of is the local contractors that designed it and built it,” Freed said. “There was no out-of-towners.”
Freed said the pavilion is expected to be available for rental through the city’s Parks and Recreation Department at the same rates as the city’s other pavilions. He said staff are still working to add it to the department’s reservation system.
The park also will immediately become part of downtown programming during next week’s Boat Week festivities. Freed said it will host evening music and an event for state legislators. The pavilion was designed to accommodate small musical performances with built-in electrical service and lighting.
“It’s fully ready and available for Boat Week,” Freed said.
Freed said the city also plans to use the pavilion throughout the year, incorporating it into winter activities and other seasonal programming so it remains an active community gathering space beyond the summer months.
DDA Director Lisa DeLong said she’s excited to see the space quickly become part of downtown programming.
“It was a long haul to get to where we are, but it’s such a beautiful location,” DeLong said. “We’d love to have some buskers come in and play some tunes for our downtown area.”
Karen Pakla, owner of A Beautiful Me, said the park strengthens the connection between downtown businesses, attractions and the waterfront.
“Before the reception, I came out here, sat in one of the chairs and watched the boats on the Black River,” Pakla said. “Any gathering space along the water is important for our community.”
Michael Hensley, president and CEO of Discover Michigan’s Thumbcoast, said projects like the Military Street Bridge Pocket Park strengthen both the visitor experience and the community itself.
“We believe if you build a great place to visit, you’ll build a great place to live,” Hensley said.
Contact reporter Andy Jeffrey at ajeffrey@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Long-awaited Military Street Bridge Pocket Park celebrates completion
Reporting by Andy Jeffrey, Port Huron Times Herald / Port Huron Times Herald
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By Andy Jeffrey, Port Huron Times Herald | USA TODAY Network
