SL Rotary Scribes Report: April 20 program
Prior to the program, SL Interact Members Rachel Lee and Evan Schrock were introduced and they discussed upcoming activities of Interact members related to fundraising and community services. Their focus this past week was in celebrating EARTH DAY. The future is Bright!!
Guest presenters from Muskegon were introduced to our members. Many of us know them, and they were prepared to reintroduce the revitalization of Muskegon. David Alexander has been in West Michigan, and Muskegon since the late 1980’s. He was a reporter and columnist for the Muskegon Chronicle. Heidi Sytsma is associated with the Muskegon Community Foundation, along with Bob Chapka. These folks combined to create a vision of the rebirth of Muskegon, especially in the downtown area. The organization they speak for is known as Muskegon First, and Watch Muskegon. For those of us who are familiar with the past 50 years of Muskegon’s efforts to overcome rust, racial divides, and poor business environment, it seemed initially that there was a bit too much wishful thinking and comments.
As the presentation evolved, it became apparent that in fact Muskegon, as a place to live, work and love, was closer than it has been in over 50 years to achieving the return of a vision of the town and its areas that did occupy the impressions of past times: Nice lake front, hotels, restaurants, living areas, and community assets. David provided a handout entitled “WATCH Muskegon” and overlaid on the heading (only as a former journalist could achieve) “WATCH US GO” and it detailed completed projects, underway projects, and proposed projects. A concise listing of investments in Business, Healthcare, Education, Restaurants, Tourism and Residential Projects was noted in the brochure. In the future (now and a couple of years) a billion dollars will be spent to enhance these projects, with new and additional improvements, so the overall known investments will be over a billion dollars. This is real time, real projects, and real money.
Now, the presenters had the attention of those present. We remember the past more than we trust the future, but as explained by David, Heidi and Bob, in fact Muskegon is turning around. I must confess that after I landed in Muskegon in 1968, I could not leave to come to Ottawa County fast enough in 1970. This writer did not believe he would live long enough to see and experience the rebirth of Muskegon. I am now a believer except for the perhaps longer mission of reestablishing the pride, youth and appearances of an entire community. That will have to come in time, since jobs, investments, and attitude do usually create community presence and excitement.
Muskegon is on the horizon for many organizations, as it was awarded recognition in 2018 as a STRONG TOWN, which has been earned previously by Traverse City. The pluses, as mentioned above, revolve around people and business moving back to the downtown area of Muskegon. Housing costs, and Hospital Facilities and Staff are strong attractors to the geriatric set, and those working and wanting to work and live in Michigan. The deep water port of Muskegon is drawing new attention from Cruise Boat operators, and builders aiming at having a building with a view of Muskegon Lake, out to Lake Michigan. The water is cleaned up, the recreation opportunities are being developed, and the former Sappi Paper Mill site is cleared. This site, the long ago location of smelly SD Warren Paper, is now a new planned community with over a half mile of lake frontage. It will also connect to the adjoining to the South and East Muskegon Country Club and its golf courses, and further south to Nugent Sand soon available site for Residential and community development. About 2 miles of land stretching in and out along Lake Michigan from Muskegon Lake to well into Norton Shores. Unbelievable opportunities to draw a new landscape and community over what previously was mainly heavy industry (paper mill, sand mining, trucking). Windward Pointe will anchor the Muskegon Lake development. Those of us who have dined at the Muskegon Country Club can easily envision the new view over Windward Pointe, with its homes, mixed commercial use, and some shipping facilities.
Go back in your memory to the grand features of the Occidental Hotel, Century Club, Lakos Restaurant, Hackley Bank Bldg, and even the Mall. All those are gone or recycled, and frankly try to envision, as our Presenters did, a whole new Muskegon. At present, there are community assets like the Freudenthal Theatre for the Performing Arts (Westshore Symphony, arts,) Baker College, Muskegon Comm. College, GVSU and other related facilities downtown, along with Highpoint Flats (former Hackley Bank Bldg) and several other housing projects aimed at every age, price point, and convenience. Almost 200 new housing units are in place now, with another 300 underway, along with several hotels, a convention center, and at least 3 new waterfront neighborhoods being processed now, so the downtown will have new housing for another 8,000 people. On the wish list yet is a downtown grocery store/drug store and with that a brand new 21st century community is being reborn. The great vision is that this community will proceed into the 22nd century as a valid, viable, vital place to live, work, be cared for, and be creative.
Now, if that sounds like this writer is sold on the plan, believe me I am. I still would like to project the view of good employment opportunities, good government, sound fiscal practices, and infrastructure and public safety services that meet the needs of the populace. This should happen and if you would like to be part of the solution, as David, Heidi and Bob have chosen to be, then all newcomers and returning alumni are welcome!
As the readers of this report know, living in a vital and exciting community is important to our wellbeing and comfort levels. We have a taste of that in North Ottawa County, but it is different from the larger community experience. Muskegon (WATCH MUSKEGON) will fit the comfort level for many people, just as Grand Rapids does for many folks. What a vision and probable reality for those wishing to be near fresh water, cool breezes, beautiful views, and the full service benefits of a well- rounded community.
Finally, after nearly 50 years of fitful starts, failures, sputtering efforts and loss of core populations, infrastructure, and jobs, our friends in Muskegon are on the right track, to WATCH US GO. It is not at all a bad idea to get in on the early stages, to enjoy the growth, enthusiasm, and development of a wonderful area that we are now part of. As the demographic folks like to note, the Tri-Cities area has a lot in common with our neighbors in Muskegon, and not as much with areas to the South of the Tri-Cities. Let’s work together on helping each community to be successful for its own needs, and realize we will utilize lots of things in each community. Thanks for the Presentations. We will need an update in the next few years.
Your Scribe, Tom Boven
