Port Austin’s three major waterfront projects are moving
right along — and looking good.
The
first project, the Visitor’s Center is located at
the corner of M-53 (Lake Street) and M-25 (Spring Street).
This corner was once home to a three story building that
housed the American Legion. When that group moved on, the
building
became village property and was named the Civic Center. It
was in dire need of renovation and many local people contributed
to a fund to renovate it.
That ambitious endeavor was undertaken by civic leader and
Chamber President Bruce Parsons. Chamber members raised funds
by hosting bingo games in the building. When the project was
completed, which included removal of the third story; there
was a full kitchen on the lower level, large open area with
a stage on the main floor and new restrooms. The building continued
to serve community organizations and private groups for many
years. All were welcome to use the building for gatherings,
meetings and other activities.
When
the Historical Society learned the redevelopment of the entire
harbor area included demolition of the Civic
Center, they launched a successful project to save it.
It sits two
miles east on Pte. Aux Barques Road awaiting completion
of another renovation. According to Historical Society
members,
it will serve as a history museum and house “A Treasury
of Lost and Found Memories” of the area.
The new Visitors Center opened just before July 4th and
has extended summer hours and a large display rack
with local information
and brochures provided by Chamber members. The building
has an office, large community meeting area, public
restrooms and
facilities for hosting small gatherings. It truly expresses
the pride of the community.
A long awaited phase of the waterfront development
project is the harbor area. The parking lot and adjacent
walkways were
removed and the old harbor master building was torn
down. Repairs to the south end of the dock, filling
and raising it to the
existing level at the north end were done. The Michigan
DNRE/Waterways, who are providing funding for this
phase of the project, have
directed redesign of the boat launch parking area
to accommodate larger trailer rigs.
A wide, cement capped walkway flows along Bird Creek
at the base of the main dock and will facilitate
foot traffic.
Additional
walkways throughout the project will encourage
visitors to tour the entire harbor area. I walked to
the harbor
today
and noted finishing touches are being done on the
blacktop’s
first coating.
The boat harbor area has remained open all summer,
a challenge for those docking there and dock the
attendants serving them.
The existing harbor masters buildings will remain
as they were very recently built. Landscaping by
use of
rock walls will
outline the entire area and be very attractive.
Dredging of the harbor, installation of floating
docks and
construction of new public restrooms is expected
to be completed
this fall.
Once done, the Port Austin State Harbor will be
one of the finest facilities in Michigan.
The third phase of the Waterfront Development,
improvements at Veterans Waterfront Park, is well
under way. This
area will have a new pavilion overlooking the water,
beach expansion,
picnic and playground areas, new parking and a
scenic vehicle turnaround. Walkways will once again
flow
throughout the area
to accommodate those wishing to view the water
and harbor.
Many questioned spending a combined amount
of $5.4 million dollars for this project
but it
needs to
be remembered — much
of the work has been in the planning stage since 1992. A total
of $ 3.7 million of MDNR/Waterways funding, collected as fees
paid by boaters, was allocated over the years to be spent on
Port Austin’s harbor. The balance of
$1.7 million to complete the three phase project
was
raised by gathering
grants and providing matching funds through
loans and money in hand.
As I observed activity at the harbor area,
I was dismayed to note although at any
time there
were
as many 15
large pieces
of equipment at work, no young boys were
watching. I guess they don’t do that anymore because
they are all closed in at home, playing with
their electronic
games.
As I see it, that may be just as well.
I noted a news item that told of a 7-year-old
girl who
opened
a lemonade
stand
without a license and she was threatened
with a $500 fine by an overzealous inspector.
Note: I spoke with Lisa representing
the Bad Axe AAA office yesterday. She
was understandably
upset
about
my column posted
July 31st regarding phone response
irritations. I apologized and explained my comments
were not directed
at the
Bad Axe AAA office. They were directed
at an 800 customer service number
I called that appeared on the back
of
my now canceled card. The number, 800AAAMICHIGAN,
was also printed
in bold letters
on my statement.
To those customers of the Bad Axe AAA
branch — I’m
truly sorry for any confusion and please don’t
take my opinions expressed out on our local
people. I did learn
while
chatting with Lisa she too was discouraged
with big utility companies and their answering
systems.
She regrets not
having a public forum to express her views.
I reminded her by registering
and providing your name you may have a public
forum on the Huron Daily Tribunes online issue,
and they also
welcome signed letters to the editor.