The city of Wyandotte's proposal to turn an unused, unattractive passageway in the central business district into a pocket park where people, activity and art will come together is a finalist in the
Let's Save Michigan It's About Place contest.
Wyandotte's was one 40-plus proposals entered in the contest. The finalists were selected through online voting that ended June 1. The winner, who will receive up to $2,000 to implement their proposal, will be selected by a panel of judges.
Wyandotte's pocket park proposal would turn a long, narrow space between two buildings into a place to congregate while shopping, dining out or spending time downtown. The tired stretch is ideally situated near downtown businesses, parking, summer concerts and the annual art fair but poorly used and designed to invite people to stop.
"Our goal is to make this space much more than a pass-through or afterthought, says Natalie Rankine, director of the city's Downtown Development Authority. "The DDA has a good start at creating outdoor places and elements that define outdoor space: The arbor, the clock tower, the Purple Heart Memorial Garden, the fountain to name a few. Places like this help to establish a sense of place, invite people to congregate and encourage foot traffic in our downtown district.
The DDA is also working on brining an outdoor art mural to downtown and this would be the perfect spot if the pocket park comes to pass, Rankine adds.
Source: Natalie Rankine, director Wyandotte Downtown Development Authority
Writer: Kim North Shine
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.