Health & Fitness
Rochester Main Street Makeover Project Showcased for Community Excellence
Rochester's Main Street Makeover project was showcased in the Michigan Municipal League's recent Community Excellence Award Program.
LANSING, Michigan – The city of Rochester was among 27 communities showcased on April 9 at the 2013 Michigan Municipal League Community Excellence Award (CEA) competition during the League’s 2013 Capital Conference in Lansing.
Rochester’s Main Street Makeover was among seven presentations at the League’s Region 1 Roundtable, which includes all communities in the southeastern portion of the lower peninsula. The winning Region 1 entry was the Shiawassee River Heritage Water Trail “Come Paddle With Us” joint submission by the communities of Fenton, Holly and Linden. The other Region 1 nominations were Eastpointe’s Service Line Affordable Protection Program; Westland’s Core Shopping and Dining District; New Baltimore’s “Make New Baltimore Your Destination” effort; Plymouth’s Northville-Plymouth Fire Agreement; and Grosse Pointe’s Wellness Center and Patient Facility.
In the application about the project, Rochester Downtown Development Authority Director Kristi Trevarrow explained that the Main Street Makeover work was done throughout the summer of 2012, by the city of Rochester, in partnership with MDOT. The makeover was a $7.6 million project to rebuild Main Street, improve water service, and add streetscape improvements to enhance the overall downtown experience.
“From coal bins to an Indian burial ground, the project was a non-stop thrill ride,” Trevarrow said. “Through four years of preparation, a strong project team and a relentlessly positive marketing campaign, our downtown was able to thrive during this project. Post project, the result is a downtown that is beautiful, ready for new development, and truly celebrates the rich history of our community.”
The 27 communities participating in this year’s CEA competition are Region 1 (southeast Michigan): Eastpointe, Linden/Fenton/Holly; Grosse Pointe, New Baltimore, Plymouth, Rochester, and Westland; Region 2 (central and southwest Michigan): Albion, Baroda/Bridgman/Berrien Springs, South Haven and St. Joseph; Region 3 (central-west Michigan): Belding and Whitehall; Region 4 (mid-Michigan): DeWitt, Ithaca and Mt. Pleasant; Region 5 (the thumb): Harbor Beach, Imlay City and Lexington; Region 6 (northern portion of the lower peninsula): Rogers City; and Region 7 (upper peninsula): Ironwood, Ontonagon, and Sault Ste. Marie. The winners from each region will now go on to compete for the statewide CEA title during the League’s Annual Convention September 18-20 in Detroit. The seven regional winners are Linden/Fenton/Holly, St. Joseph, Belding, DeWitt, Imlay City, Rogers City, and Ironwood.
The CEA program, affectionately called “The Race for the Cup,” was started by the League in 2007 to recognize innovative solutions taking place in Michigan’s communities.
For additional details contact Matt Bach, director of media relations for the Michigan Municipal League, at (734) 669-6317 or mbach@mml.org.
The Michigan Municipal League advocates on behalf of its member communities in Lansing, Washington D.C., and the courts; provides educational opportunities for elected and appointed municipal officials; and assists municipal leaders in administering services to their communities through League programs and services.
