Historic trust team evaluates Ishpeming
Historic trust team evaluates Ishpeming
By STEPHEN STACY Journal Ishpeming Bureau
ISHPEMING — An Illinois-based research team from the National Trust for Historic Preservation was in Ishpeming this week to evaluate the Ishpeming Main Street Program and to provide technical assistance for future development and revitalization of the downtown area.
“Essentially, we’re here to provide more in-depth consultation to help the local community with strategies to revitalize the traditional downtown area,” said Nick Kalogeresis, program officer for the National Trust Main Street Center.
The Washington D.C.-based trust is under contract with Michigan’s Main Street Cool Cities program. Evaluations are provided at no charge to the city.
“My first reaction to the city was that it has a wonderful downtown,” Kalogeresis said. “There’s lots of potential to bring new businesses to the downtown but also to capitalize on the city’s unique history.”
Kalogeresis said the team spent a lot of time in the area gaining a sense of the condition and status of the community as well as talking to local merchants, property owners and community leaders to get a feel for what the community wants to see happen with the downtown area.
The team gave some preliminary recommendations at a public meeting Thursday and will compile a more thorough report encompassing all of its findings and recommendations as well as strategies the city may wish to pursue to revitalize the city’s downtown.
Kalogeresis said the report should be ready within a few months.
Ishpeming’s efforts to enhance its downtown earned the city state recognition when it received a Cool Cities Michigan Main Street designation in 2005.
The Main Street designation, a three-year program, will provide Ishpeming with about $200,000 in technical assistance and training as part of a long-term management approach to revitalize and maintain a successful downtown.
The designation also puts the city in line for grants to fund downtown improvements.
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