Ben Garbacz/Daily Mining Gazette Hancock Downtown Development Authority members, from left, Kurt Rickard, Andrew Lahti, Michele Blau and City Manager Mary Babcock listen to updates and reports at the DDA meeting Monday evening.

HANCOCK — Todd Gast of the Hancock Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and City Manager Mary Babcock presented reports to the DDA regarding the upcoming events and updates on city properties during the DDA meeting Monday evening. Gast reported the new floating dock at Porvoo Park has seen use and said he was told those who’ve used the dock love it.

Babcock reported the property at 114 Franklin St. that was purchased for parking is receiving an appraisal. “I do have Seaton Appraisals doing the appraisal. The purchase agreement is contingent on receiving an appraisal value at $195,000,” Babcock said. “So as soon as all that moves forward next month, I will bring it to you to look at our budget to see how we feel about just paying cash for it out of the DDA and holding back on other projects in 2025-26.”

Babcock said at this point a loan would need to be taken out to tear down the building on the property and expand parking. The old hardware building on 224 Quincy St. was scheduled to be demolished Tuesday after it was postponed Monday.

The End of Summer Celebration on Sept. 6 will be held on Quincy Green. Gast said there will be games for kids of all ages with tennis, pickle ball, cornhole tournaments and more. The event will also have a ping pong ball drop, live music, food stands and vendors. A street dance will take place and to conclude the event there will be a laser light show. During the meeting the DDA took action to approve funding $7,500 for the laser light show.

The city is also working on organizing regarding Hancock’s designation as the 2026 Finnish-Ugric Capital of Culture. “We have a committee consisting of members of the Finlandia Foundation National, Visit Keweenaw and the City of Hancock,” Gast said. “This group meets every two weeks, and we are planning all the events that are going to be happening for the Capital of Culture year.”

The Hancock Lights the Night winter event so far has 19 sites reserved by businesses and families at the city campground. The sites will hold Christmas light displays in which visitors can tour beginning late November and ending in early January. The deadline to register and reserve a campsite is Aug. 29 with decorating set to begin Oct. 15.