www.mybaycity.com
August 25, 2004
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Cha-Ching: "Cool City" Designation Pays Off in $800,000 in Grants
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David Hollister, state development director, presents "check" for $100,000 to Mayor Robert Katt at Waterfall Park grant announcement at the foot of Third Street.
Crowd of development advocates throngs Third Street during announcement event for Waterfall Park.
David Hollister, state development director, came to town Wednesday with a bag full of money for Bay City's "Cool City" projects.
"You should have brought a Brinks truck here today," exclaimed Mr. Hollister, delivering a $100,000 check personally to Mayor Robert Katt for Waterfall Park and tacking on a bonus announcement of $700,000 for the Pere Marquette Union Station restoration.
"We want to be partners in turning the city around," said Mr. Hollister. "The community will be forever changed."
Gov. Jennifer Granholm weighed in via a news release delivered by an aide: "These grants will help bolster local efforts to create more inviting downtown centers that will attract investment and jobs creation. Thisfunding helps build the momentum of successful urban development and is a great opportunity to bring jobs and investment to Michigan's cool communities."
City Manager Robert V. Belleman noted the 5,800 square foot development was important to creating jobs and improving quality of life in the community. "We're dedicated to attracting living wage jobs and the Cool Cities designation and the grants are vital assets in developing the riverfront by leveraging private investment," Belleman said.
Architect John Meyer sketched a word picture of Waterfall Park that excited the group of about 100 Bay City development advocates hovered around in the street between St. Laurent Brothers and the Kingfish Restaurant, hanging on every positive word.
The $900,000 project slated to get underway in the spring will lower Third Street and open the now blocked access so visitors will see the river.
An arch framing Third Street will lead visitors to a plaza with a mini stage. A brick wall on the south will feature bas relief figures and murals depicting local history and a historic kiosk. Trees will decorate the north side and water will cascade from a fountain down to a pool near the river. A pier accessible to the public on the riverfront will line up with existing docks on both sides.
Besides the $100,000 from the state, the remaining funds for the project reportedly will come from the Downtown Development Authority.
Mr. Meyer noted the project was 13 years in the planning stages after conception by his firm, Wigen Tincknell Meyer and Associates, Saginaw.
Mayor Katt credited former Mayor Kathy Newsham for her "foresight in putting together an advisory committee" to pursue the Cool Cities designation of Gov. Jennifer Granholm. "There is truly a renaissance in Bay City, especially downtown on the riverfront," Katt enthused. "This is only the beginning; Bay City will continue to grow."
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