Renewed revitalization
The City of Mount Pleasant is taking the right steps toward fulfilling its plans to re-beautify downtown Mount Pleasant.
When the City Commission approved a $270,000 allocation to further renovate the West Broadway Revitalization project, it furthered its plan to revive Mount Pleasant.
The money will cover the Borden Building's interior work and outside appearance, including a brick-layed sidewalk and street decorations, to make it fit in with downtown.
Although the allocation exceeded the original budget by $24,000, additional renovation funds are being taken out of an already existing contingency fund.
In June 2007, Central Michigan Life reported six or seven downtown businesses had closed over two years.
Former Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce CEO and President Jim Kostrava said people needed a reason to come and shop downtown rather than at local competition, and even called it a destination rather than an "impulse."
A distressed downtown is now in the past as city officials look ahead toward a thriving city that attracts students and citizens alike.
Now officials and the construction company need to make sure the renovations get accomplished through the original site plan. The City Commission seems to have a vision for downtown and that vision needs to be executed.
The commission needs to continue putting a priority on downtown to serve the community as best as possible.
