Two parks hit improvement jackpot after Muskegon beach plans fall through
Updated 1:50 PM;
MUSKEGON, MI – Two Muskegon parks unexpectedly won the jackpot recently when plans for more parking and a wider sidewalk at Muskegon’s beach fell apart.
C.J. Reese Playfield and Beukema Park are expected to get an estimated $900,000 in improvements within the next year that will be paid with money originally intended for improvements at the beach.
After the city ran into timing snags and citizen opposition to the beach plans, commissioners recently agreed to invest in parks that serve children and families where they live.
Neither Reese nor Beukema were at the top of a priority list for improvements that was prepared in 2019. But they were chosen because they are on the east side of the city and improvements there can be achieved rather quickly.
New trees, but no additional parking, coming to Muskegon’s Pere Marquette beach
Updated Apr 28, 2021;
Posted Apr 28, 2021
Pere Marquette beach in Muskegon will get additional trees, but no more parking or a wider sidewalk, at least for now, the city commission decided on April 27, 2021. This photo from the 2014 Mercy Health Seaway Run, shows many more trees along that stretch of beach than are there now. (MLive file photo)
Facebook Share
MUSKEGON, MI – Muskegon’s Pere Marquette beach will get new trees, but no additional parking or a wider sidewalk anytime soon.
City staff will research the biggest trees that are appropriate for the beach – ones that could replace a tree “canopy” that has slowly dwindled over the years. But what happens to 11 existing trees that were slated for removal remains to be seen.
Economic, social equity in new developments sought with proposed Muskegon citizen’s commission
Updated Mar 09, 2021;
Posted Mar 09, 2021
As more developers discover Muskegon, city staff have proposed a Commission on Economic Equity to involve marginalized citizens in planning and the economic benefits. In this photo, construction crews work on The Leonard mixed-use building on Western Avenue in downtown.
Facebook Share
MUSKEGON, MI – As more developers discover Muskegon, city staff want to be sure marginalized citizens aren’t left out of the planning and the economic benefits.
A citizens Commission on Economic Equity proposed by the city’s economic development director would provide a “place at the table” for those who are low-income, have disabilities, belong to minority racial groups or identify with the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer (LGBTQ) community.
Marijuana growing and retail, 150 new apartments at old Shaw-Walker factory get initial OK
Updated Jan 25, 2021;
MUSKEGON, MI – A highly visible old factory near downtown and Muskegon Lake is the site of a redevelopment proposal that features marijuana growing and new apartments.
City staff warned it could be the last chance to save the sprawling building, the former Shaw-Walker factory.
The plans for the property at 920 Washington Ave. and 965 W. Western Ave. are the latest in a series of proposals for the historic factory near Muskegon Lake, which included a large indoor entertainment complex that never came to fruition.
Watermark Center currently includes 53 residential lofts, the Watermark 920 event center and the Coffee Factory eatery.