NEGAUNEE, Mich. (WZMQ) – Negaunee city officials announced yesterday the completion of the Streetscape Project, an ambitious 3.4 million dollar renovation of their downtown. Beginning with an overhaul of the sewer and water lines, repaving of their main thoroughfares, new sidewalks, and improved lighting. The Streetscape Project promises to revitalize a downtown that sorely needed improvement. City Manager Nate Heffron believes that these improvements are crucial to growth.
“If this didn’t happen, unfortunately, I think, we would have seen the downtown move backwards,” said Heffron. “Businesses close, more buildings crumble, and no investment.”
Other improvements include conveniences like charging stations for cell phones, e-bikes, and electric vehicles. They’ve installed power hookups for food trucks, seating and dining areas, fire pits, and lots of flowers all with underground. Irrigation systems. So far most people love it.
“The downtown looks great. People are saying, we’ve never seen the town look better in the last 30 years or more. And it’s absolutely true,” said Heffron.
Heffron believes the Streetscape Project will attract new businesses to what he calls, “The New Negaunee”.
“This is something that we needed to have here in our community to attract that investment, attract new people to come to our community, attract people to start new businesses in downtown, create those jobs,” explained Heffron.
Negaunee native Terry Clark and his son Mitchell stopped by for some ice cream and a first look at the new Irontown Park.
“Have you ever seen downtown, look this good? No, never. It’s incredible. It’s wonderful, I’m really loving it,” said Clark.
The grand reveal will take place Saturday afternoon during the inaugural Fall Fest when the new firefighter’s statue is unveiled in Firefighter’s Square.
