Property History

In summer 2019, 1.5 contiguous lots were donated to the Village of Calumet Downtown Development Authority (DDA). ​The property was donated with the understanding that a centrally located greenspace could be created for the community to enjoy.

The property, located at 325-329 5th Street, was previously home to two buildings. 327-329 5th was occupied by the Sterk Block which for many years housed Superior Bowling Alleys, owned by the Antioho family. Sadly, the building partially collapsed and was ultimately demolished in 2018. ​

Less is known about the building at 325 5th Street which was demolished over a decade ago.  

The Village of Calumet DDA was gifted this property with a few stipulations for 10 years;

1. property must be kept tidy for 10 years
2. property must not be sold for 10 years
3. property must be used for public greenspace for 10 years

Read the full property agreement below.

Agreements

Project Details

Phase One
The DDA formed the Calumet Greenspace Steering Committee to help guide the acquisition and development of the project in spring 2019. The group decided to implement a phased approach to improvements to coincide with acquisition activities, with the initial phase focused on immediately improving the aesthetics of the property. This was achieved by grading the lots and planting grass. As of September 1st, 2019, a lawn is in place and the property is now owned by the Village of Calumet DDA. 

Expenses
Up to this point the project has received the following support;

• site work donated by Kalchich Construction, including grading and fill
• grass seed from Ace Hardware
• water access from Keary Ecklund via the former Thurner's building supply lines, installed and with water continually donated to the project by Michigan American Water Co
• labor to rake and seed from the Village of Calumet Sail Program students 
• hose and sprinklers donated by Roxanne King

In addition to the donated labor and materials the following has been spent or will be spent;

• $200 has been spent to purchase fencing, 2 sprinklers and 2 additional hoses used to establish lawn, materials are now property of the Village of Calumet. 
• 2019 property taxes will be paid by the DDA
• A Phase 1 Environmental Survey, estimated to cost $1700-2500, will be commissioned  by the DDA in order to meet state guidelines for property acquisition. 
• Approximately $100 will be spent to place a temporary sign in the lot describing the project for the public. 

Kalcich Construction continues work of filling and leveling site on July 1, 2019. Photo credit Leah Polzien.

" There is increasing recognition that enhancing green, public open spaces in cities provides a strategy to make those cities more sustainable, more livable, and more equitable. ”

-Stephanie Pincetl, Journal of Urban Geography 

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Phase Two
Phase 2 started in January, 2020  with a Greenspace Committee Meeting in which the group decided upon goals for the project. Our designer, Keweenaw National Historical Park (KNHP) Landscape Architect, Steve Delong, will be creating a few concept design alternatives which will be vetted first by the Committee and then presented to the public. 

The final result of Phase Two will be;

• Public input sessions that result in the creation of a final concept design
• Environmental Assessments (listed above) and Surveys to meet state requirements and find property lines
• Fundraising
• Completion of improvements 

Timeline
As the project evolves so to will the timeline for this project. ​A best case scenario would see fundraising in fall of 2020 and project construction initiated in spring 2021. 

The goal of our Design Program was the creation of a draft concept design that can be publicly vetted, approved by the Village of Calumet DDA and ultimately constructed.

You can view the steps of the Design Program below, which is also summarized in the Calumet Greenspace Concept Design video above. 

Thanks to KNHP and Steve Delong for their on-going technical assistance on this project. 

View the Design Program

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Thank you to these businesses for their support.