Mary Stevens/Daily Mining Gazette A portion of the lots, currently under renovation that willt will become the Green Space Park.

CALUMET –In two unassuming lots next to the Calumet Theater, the construction of a new public space is underway. The Green Space Park, a gathering space in downtown Calumet, is set to be completed by the end of the month. According to Village Manager Meghan Haselden, the goal is to have the park opened by CroFest, an upcoming celebration of the area’s Croatian heritage.

Haselden said the village plans on inviting the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) to the ribbon cutting, as they played a crucial role in securing the funding to renovate the empty lots. “It’s a public gathering spaces grant,” Haselden explained. “And then our Downtown Development Authority have worked to meet the match for that grant to make this happen. They’ve sort of acted as the facilitators to it …” Haselden added that Calumet’s Downtown Development Authority (DDA) will also assist in future to ensure regular maintenance of the park.

The two lots the park will occupy are on 5th and 6th street, separated by a small alleyway. In the lot nearest the Calumet Theater, the city’s historic bell will be replaced to accommodate renovations, along with the sign for the theater. The time capsule buried beneath the bell has already been exhumed, as the Gazette previously reported.

The other vacant lot was donated to the village by its previous owner. The DDA took over the land in 2019, with plans for the more than $300,000 project in mind.

“There used to be a building on this side,” Haselden said of the lot. “That building collapsed several years ago, and then the owner of the property actually donated it to the Downtown Development Authority for the specific purpose of creating a public space. So it was a way for us to start transitioning, how we can bring more traffic down here and have a space that feels a little more modern, and kind of put together as a place for people to come…”

“We’re very excited and thankful for all the different organizations that made this happen.” Haselden added.

She explained that the park will have a bandshell capable of hosting live music performances, Calumet Theater summer shows, and even cooking demonstrations during the Calumet Farmer’s Market.

Along with plenty of seating and flowers, the area will be illuminated by a “canopy of lights” that can transition during the colder months.

“To see spaces like this get redeveloped in our downtown to green space and space we can utilize for the community coming in is really important,” said Nikki L’Esperance, the chairman of the DDA. “I think it will bring more people into our downtown, just hanging out and enjoying it. Hopefully it will encourage other owners, business owners, to move down and kind of revitalize our downtown.”

So-called ‘green spaces’ have increased in popularity in recent years. Many cities, towns, and campuses invest in them for their proven health benefits. When maintained properly, green spaces can improve air quality, host native wildlife, and improve residents’ physical, mental, and social health.

According to L’Esperance, Calumet’s DDA provides about $10,000 per project, to supplement grant money received from the MEDC. Since 2019, the DDA has given over $50,000 to the Green Space project. L’Esperance also mentioned there are two or three other renovation projects coming to the village.

“Those are all one-million-dollar-plus projects, so we also love to support those.” L’Esperance said. “Then also the smaller projects, just keeping downtown beautiful…we’re all trying to support all of those projects as well.”

To learn more about Calumet’s Downtown Development Authority and their upcoming projects, visit villageofcalumet.com/downtown-development-authority.