Graham Jaehnig/Daily Mining Gazette Nikki L’Esperance, DDA chairwoman, stands ready to cut the ribbon during the Calumet Green Space Park ceremony on Thursday. To the left is KEDA Executive Director Jeff Ratcliffe. Village Manager Megan Haselden is on the right.

CALUMET – A long anticipated ribbon cutting ceremony took place on Fifth Street Thursday, celebrating the opening of the recently completed Green Space Park, a gathering space in downtown Calumet.

During the ceremony, Village Manager Megan Haselden thanked Leah Polzein, executive director of Main Street Calumet, who was unable to attend the ceremony.

“But this project is one that she envisioned and championed throughout the entire process,” said Haselden. “So, special thanks to her for making this happen.”

Polzein is also a member of the Calumet Green Space Steering Committee.

Haselden also thanked the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, which played a crucial role in securing the funding to renovate the empty lots that became the gathering space, Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the Calumet Village Downtown Development Authority (DDA).

Located between Fifth and Sixth Streets, next to the Calumet Theatre, the new space was created to bring the community together and support local events and activities downtown.

The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) – compliant space includes sidewalks, seating, lighting, native landscaping, and a new bandshell for performances.

Funding for the park was provided by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the Calumet Village Downtown Development Authority (DDA).

The Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance (KEDA) was the project manager of the park development.

Jeff Ratcliffe, executive director of KEDA, was on hand and spoke briefly. “I just want to say on behalf of the Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance Board, all of its members, and supporters, congratulations to the village Calumet DDA for envisioning this and bringing it to fruition,” Ratcliffe said. “This is another great step in bring back Calumet.” Ratcliffe also thanked Polzein, saying she did the majority of the work on the project. “I think without her, this would still be a vacant lot,” he said.

After the ceremony, the Copper Country Clown Brass Band performed for the event, becoming the first musicians to play in the park’s newly constructed bandshell. The park has been a six-year project.

The concept for the park began in 2019. That summer, one and a half contiguous lots were donated to the DDA with the understanding a centrally located green space would be created for the community to enjoy.

The property, located at 325-329 5th Street, was previously home to two buildings. 327-329 5th was occupied by the Sterk Block which for many years housed Superior Bowling Alleys, owned by the Antioho family. Sadly, the building partially collapsed and was ultimately demolished in 2018. ​Less is known about the building at 325 5th Street which was demolished over a decade ago.

The DDA formed the Calumet Greenspace Steering Committee to help guide the acquisition and development of the project in early 2019. The committee decided to implement a phased approach to improvements to coincide with acquisition activities, with the initial phase focused on immediately improving the aesthetics of the property. As of September 1st, 2019, the property is now owned by the Village of Calumet DDA.