Downtown Watervliet could soon gain a new pocket park and gathering space thanks to a crowdfunding campaign. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Cornerstone Alliance, the city of Watervliet, and the Watervliet Downtown Development Authority have all teamed up for the effort. They say if the crowdfunding campaign reaches its goal of $50,000 by December 31, the project will win a matching grant with funds made possible by MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places program. The groups are planning to transform a long empty lot on Main Street into a public gathering space, complete with a pavilion, accessible seating, atmospheric lighting, a decorative fountain, games, and landscaping. Cornerstone and the city have already raised most of the $200,000 needed to complete the park, which they say could be used for concerts, markets, and festivals. Now they’re crowdfunding the remaining $50,000 with about $10,000 raised as of Friday. You can find the crowdfunding campaign right here.
