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Update on Talent Partnership grant
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HOUGHTON -- The Houghton City Council was updated on some positive additions to the downtown at its meeting Wednesday. In a presentation to the council, City Manager Eric Waara outlined ongoing and future projects that came about as the result of Houghton receiving a Michigan Talent Partnership Grant. Waara said the grant will develop projects in what is termed “North Landing,” a waterfront talent district. There are three main aspects to the development, 1) a non-motorized trail connection and waterfront walkway enhancement, the Houghton Business and Creative Incubator and the Shelden Avenue Pocket Park.
Waara explained the trail connection links the MTU campus to downtown via a saafe, scenic non-motorized trail which will allow year-round waterfront access. Under the plan, the connector will feature, shaded seating, restrooms and fireplaces.
The creative incubator, will be a two-story facility located in the former 5th and Elm coffee shop at 326 Shelden. “Because of the success of the Smart Zone, we really don’t need another ‘high-tech’ business incubator,” Waara said. The new facility will create a “low-tech/no tech” facility for businesses such as farmer’s markets, crafters, artists and more. The incubator will provide affordable workspaces and support. “We’re creating a space where it’s safe to fail,” Waara said. It will be accessible from both Shelden Avenue and Lakeshore Drive, feature both a stairway and elevator and year-round restrooms.
The pocket park, which is currently under construction at 509 Shelden is in the location of a building which burned in 2017. Showing the council a rendering of the future park, Waara said “It will be a place to sit and read a book, play music and relax.” He said the park will also feature year-round rest rooms. Construction of the park began earlier this month and is expected to be completed by spring.
In his report to the council, Waara said the signal at the intersection of M-26 and Canal Road is now in winter mode, meaning it will have a flashing yellow light until May. Waara reported that the Granet Street Park upgrade is completed and the DPW is in the process of re-enforcing manholes throughout the city.
He said the rest rooms at Kestner Park are closed for the winter, although there are port-a-johns for late season campers. Waara said this weekend is the last for the fall clean up meaning the dumpsters will be removed as of Sunday. He sail the city is still accepting organic materials at the facility.
Waara said he is currently working on a proposed city ordinance that could apply to future data centers although the wording won’t specifically use the term. Finally, Waara said he’s looking at a water rate structure but did not go into details.
When asked by Coucil Member Irizarry about any information regarding the former Applebees location and any word on the possibility of a Meijer story in Houghton Waara said. “Applebee’s was a corporate decision and I have not heard of anything happening with the building.” He said Meijer still owns the property but has not indicated any immediate plans to construct a store in Houghton.
In his report to the council, Police Chief John Donnelly reminded the public the night time parking ban goes into effect Sunday. He said because of the fact that Houghton is a college town, the city is faced with as many as 1,500 new residents each year. “Our goal is to get vehicles off the streets for the plows,” Donnelly said.
The chief reported that Treat Street was a success and that one child who was missing, was reunited with their family quickly. Mayor Robert Megowen said “That just shows how well our police, fire and volunteer groups work together.”
The council approved Trick or Treat hours for Saturday: 5-8 p.m. Donnelly said that, once again, police, fire and volunteer group will be patrolling Houghton neighborhoods.