Illustration: City of Houghton's Michigan Talant Partnership Program 

HOUGHTON – Houghton is one of six Michigan communities receiving more than $23.9 million in total grant funding through the Michigan Talent Partnership Program, says a Jan. 15 release from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

Houghton City Manager Eric Waara said the funding is for three projects under the name of North Landing Talent Waterfront Talent District.

The first one listed is a non-motorized trail connection and waterfront walkway enhancements.

“For years we’ve been talking about an easy access to the main entrance of (Michigan Technological University’s) campus where the arch is by Administration Building,” Waara said. “That would be a good walkable, bikeable connection down to the waterfront trail that you don’t have to do down the hill, around facilities and all that, just kind of a direct connection down to East Lakeshore Drive.”

The second project Waara listed is a planned pocket park to include four-season, heated public restroom facilities in the downtown area of Shelden Street.

The concept of needing public restrooms in a downtown is a difficult concept, Waara said. Currently, public restrooms, located on the waterfront, are closed half the year, because they are not heated. Waara said that building was not built to be heated.

As stated in the City of Houghton, MTP Proposal, the vision for the pocket park, to be located at 509 Shelden Ave. is simple yet impactful. It fills a long-standing need for a welcoming public space–an open area adorned with plantings, comfortable seating, a raised platform, subtle lighting, and accessible restrooms. This project continues Houghton’s tradition of placemaking and improves quality of life by fostering everyday moments of connection and creativity.

“What we’re going to do is take a piece of property downtown and put in four-season, heated restrooms, and build a pocket park,” Waara said. “It’s right in the middle of downtown, so the people out and about don’t have to worry about going home or taking the kids home,” he said, “they can stay. They know they have a comfort station type of thing. For as mundane as it sounds, that’s a very important attribute to have in your community.”

The third project focuses on the former Hellman Transportation Center. Built in the 1980s, the building at 326 Shelden Avenue has since had multiple owners but now sits vacant, says the MTP Proposal. This space can meet critical downtown needs, and the owners are willing to sell. The City plans to acquire the building and launch the Houghton Business and Creative Incubator (HB+CI) to offer attainable space for local small businesses. Through support from MTP, Houghton aims to transform this underused property into a gateway for new small businesses and fill an accessibility need in the downtown.

Waara said the city was allowed to count private investment money within the city as part of the required grant match.

Waara said the investment projects include the former Chamber of Commerce construction site, the renovation of the former Rhythm Skate Shop, and the renovation project of the former Kirkish building, account for more than $20 million in private investment in within the downtown district.

Administered by the MEDC, and supported by the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO), funding through the MTP Program will help increase density, walkability, and vibrancy in the awardees’ communities. Projects include a farmer’s market pavilion, streetscape and sidewalk improvements, incubator spaces, small business and entrepreneurial support, and parks.