NEGAUNEE, Mich. (WZMQ) – The City of Negaunee has been awarded a Revitalization and Placemaking (RAP) Downtown Enhancement grant in the amount of $885,261 from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) for infrastructure and placemaking upgrades in downtown Negaunee.
The City is one of 22 projects awarded across the state for these program funds.
The total estimated $2.1M project includes water, street, and sidewalk infrastructure upgrades, new lighting, streetscape infrastructure and furnishings, car charging stations, and the development of several outdoor gathering hubs that will help to complement the unique charm of Downtown Negaunee.
“The overall plan has been in the concept stage for several years ever since the Negaunee DDA has been reactivated. We are just fortunate enough to have awarded this transformational grant to provide the maximum positive impact Downtown in one go,” said City Manager Nate Heffron.
City staff will be working with the DDA, Negaunee Parks and Recreation Commission, and the Negaunee Planning Commission to finalize the overall plan. Upon final recommendation, a formal plan will be submitted to the City Council for adoption. Upon acceptance of the plan, the project could start as early as next spring. The public is encouraged to attend the meetings to provide input.
The project work in conjunction with two other major funding sources, the Phase-1 USDA Water Project which will contribute roughly $359K and a $224k Small Urban Street Grant. Additional funding will come from various sources within the city’s budget over the next two years.
“The MEDC has been a great partner with the City of Negaunee, and we are thrilled to receive the RAP grant. This grant will help fund a project and transform Negaunee’s downtown into an economically dynamic city core,” said Heffron. “Our future is bright, and this funding will help forge a new era for the city, this generation, and into the next.”
