Contact: Cyndy Fuller
231-723-4325
For Immediate Release
AN INVESTMENT STRATEGY FOR ARTISTS, FARMERS MARKET AND ENTERTAINMENT:
RFP ISSUED TO CHART COURSE FOR CITY OF MANISTEE’S “NORTH CORRIDOR”
MANISTEE, MICHIGAN – A Request for Proposals (RFP) has been issued by the Alliance for Economic Success (AES) to develop an assessment of options and public/private investment strategies for redeveloping portions of the City of Manistee’s “north corridor” to support art and artists, the farmers market and riverside entertainment. Entitled “Place Making in the City of Manistee’s North Corridor,” the RFP was issued as an outgrowth of a Rural Business Enterprise Grant to the AES by the U. S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development.
The project area is north of the Manistee River Channel and encompasses the Washington Street corridor, including the former Northern Hotel as well as the City parking area that is seasonally used for a farmers market and the riverfront, including the current bandshelter/amphitheatre.
Proposals are to address several project phases:
- An overall recommended development plan for the project area that includes motorized and nonmotorized transportation, a farmers market, the bandshell/amphitheatre, the riverfront, universal design, options for the Explore the Shores program, and adaptive re-use possibilities for the former Northern Hotel.
- An detailed adaptive reuse assessment of the former Northern Hotel to convert the property into a hub for working artists, including residency, retail space and a potential food service.
- An assessment of design and location options for the farmers market to create a regional destination for growers/vendors, residents and visitors.
- Design options for the bandshell/amphitheatre to expand capacity and uses of this venue.
- A public/private investment strategy for attaining recommendations
Responses from qualified contractors/individuals must be received by the Alliance for Economic Success by 5 p.m. on Friday, February 17, 2012.
A Leadership Team has been formed to select the project consultant, guide the project, encourage community involvement and provide continuity for implementation. Leadership Team members include Travis Alden, Executive Director, Manistee Main Street Program/DDA; Jeff Reau, a private investment interest; Brandon Seng, Executive Director, Manistee Community Kitchen; and Kevin Summers, SEEDS Coordinator. Other members may be added to the Leadership Team. The AES will coordinate the project in tandem with the Leadership Team.
A similar grant was received from the US Department of Agriculture to support the study of Mansitee’s historic Vogue Theatre that prompted the purchase of that facility and the effort now underway to restore and reopen the Theatre.
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