Sorely needed improvements to the City of New Buffalo like improved sidewalks, cafe seating options and more will finally get underway tomorrow following a ceremonial groundbreaking in the central business district on the beginning of a $5-million dollar makeover from both the city and the New Buffalo Downtown Development Authority.
Phase I of the project includes improvements to Mechanic and Barton Streets as well as the creation of new public parking in the central business district. Phase I work will be completed by Memorial weekend 2017. Phase II of the project will include North Whittaker and Merchant Streets and complete the transformation of the downtown area. Phase II of the project will begin just after Labor Day 2017 and be completed by Memorial Day 2018.
New Buffalo Mayor Lou O’Donnell IV says, “These improvements are sorely needed in the city and we’re pleased to begin a project that will impact so many New Buffalo residents’ lives for the better.” He adds, “We want to thank the New Buffalo residents who approved the bond that will help fund this project. Their decision will shape and improve the city’s future, not just the downtown, but many of our residential neighborhoods as well.” Mayor O’Donnell also says, “The work that we undertake as part of Phase I will be the first steps to making the downtown a draw for our local residents and visitors alike while creating the stage to develop a year round economy in our downtown.”
The redevelopment will include downtown infrastructure and landscape improvements such as wider sidewalks, café seating, new trees, planters, lighting and signage. Robert Kemper is Chairman of the Board for the New Buffalo Downtown Development Authority. “The City of New Buffalo is a wonderful place to work, live and play, and it needs a downtown that will help our community grow.” Kemper says, “By improving our infrastructure, we’re improving an important community meeting space, a place for our businesses to thrive, and we’re giving a great first impression to visitors to our city.”
The redevelopment is a joint project by the City and the DDA, and is financially supported in part by a grant of $1.6 million from The Pokagon Fund. That fund’s Executive Director, Janet Cocciarelli says, “Solid, collaborative public-private partnerships like the one between the City of New Buffalo and The Pokagon Fund can develop a long-term vision for citywide revitalization.” She also notes, “These alliances support the civic infrastructure needed for implementation.”
The public is invited to the groundbreaking, which will be held tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 24, at 1pm at the corner of Mechanic and Whittaker Streets. Speakers at the event will include O’Donnell, Kemper, Pokagon Council Member Steve Winchester, Senator John Proos and Representative Dave Pagel. A reception will be held following the groundbreaking at New Buffalo City Hall, located at 224 West Buffalo Street.
Benton Harbor-based Abonmarche, an engineering, architecture, and land surveying firm with offices in Michigan and Indiana, is performing design and construction administrative services for the redevelopment project.
