With two major commuter roadways running by it, it's easy to pass through Garden City without even noticing.
City planners are working on turning heads (safely, of course) and bringing in more foot traffic to the city's downtown near Ford and Middlebelt roads.
A multi-faceted project will bring outdoor sculptures to the downtown district, saysinterim DDA director Stacey Tobar. .At its main intersection, the city will add landscaping along with decorative circular planters and an LED-lit "Welcome to Downtown Garden City" sign.. It all will replace an underused gazebo that's been there for years and was demolished last summer, she says.
The $125,000 project comes from funds captured by the
Garden City Downtown Development Authority for the use of promoting the downtown and building the commercial tax base.
Ten new sculptures will be displayed throughout the downtown district. Assistance is also coming from the Sauvé Foundation and Brighton artist John Sauvé, who finds artists to make the sculptures. The theme is a surprise, though the city will consult on where the sculptures will go.
Others changes are being made to make the downtown more walkable. A celebration is planned for July 14 during Night of Artists and Stars. From 6 p.m. - 11 p.m. there will be a sculpture crawl, a display of Garden City students artwork, promotions at businesses and the introduction to the apples, which will be auctioned in the fall. In addition, musicians will perform and a Movie at the Moose will end the evening with the showing of a movie on the massive white wall of a business on Ford Road.
"Garden City has struggled in terms of finances. We had a millage that failed," Tobar says. "Some people may wonder why we are doing this. We want to give our community a fresh look, bring people in, attract sponsors, entice new development."
Source: Stacey Tobar, interim DDA director, Garden City
Writer: Kim North Shine
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