Leaders eager for improvements

Date
By Eric Gaertner
Chronicle Staff Writer

HyettPalma’s market strategy for Whitehall, a five year plan as part of the Cool Cities Blueprints for Michigan’s Downtowns program, was the talk of the town following the June 1 public presentation.

City officials were especially enthusiastic about the strategy – which included connecting the downtown with the waterfront, adding on street parking and recruiting a broader mix of specialty shops – and are hoping to keep the momentum going.

“There’s defiantly a lot of excitement,” said City Manager Scott Huebler.

While visible downtown improvements will take some time, the market strategy and ensuing excitement have pushed implementation of the downtown improvements to the forefront of city business.

“Things are really happening, and nothing’s final,” said Mayor Mac Hatch. “I am still very high with what’s going on. There are a lot of positive things.”

Among those “positive things” that have happened since the downtown market study was unveiled:

The sale of the former Whitehall State Bank building at a highly visible downtown location at the northwest corner of Colby Street and Mears Avenue to Flip and Lisa Richards. The Richards want to redevelop the building to house an Italian restaurant.

Downtown Phaase II project moving ahead. Phase II involves the burying of overhead utility lines on the downtown’s south side, the development of entrance areas to the downtown with landscaping and signs, and construction of a pedestrian pathway between Pinheads Gutters and Grub and Big John’s Pizza.

Proposed relocation of Big John’s Pizza, 104 N. Thompson. By moving the business, the city would be able to “connect” the downtown with the waterfront with a White Lake overlook. The city’s Tax Increment Finance Authority has directed Huebler to pursue possible relocation of Big John’s Pizza.

“The downtown (business owners) and the general public are definitely excited,” Huebler said. “ I think that helped seal the deal with the Richards buying the bank building.”

Huebler said TIFA, a seven member board that uses money from downtown businesses with the purpose of preventing urban deterioration and encouraging economic development, will likely be considering adoption of the entire Cool Cities market study at its next meeting, July 27.

After the plan is adopted, any grants for downtown improvements would be able to flow through TIFA.