MENOMINEE, MICH. – The Menominee Downtown Development Authority (DDA) has begun a crowdfunding campaign for the 10th & 10th Archway Project to bring attention to the businesses and opportunities within the Historic Waterfront Downtown District.
Menominee DDA Chairman Zak Aubert explained that the archway project has been a long-term goal of the organization and was first outlined in their 2018 master plan.
“We voted unanimously [...] to invest in the gateway arch, and the reason we did that is to attract small businesses,” Aubert said.
He explained on the project’s Patronicity website that “the 10th & 10th Archway will be a permanent landmark at the entrance to Menominee’s Historic Waterfront Downtown, marking a key connection between the highway and our walkable, people-centered commercial district and helping to draw people into an activated public space along our waterfront.”
Aubert also explained that the archway will serve as a formal introduction and encourage cars already passing through to stop.
According to data from the Michigan Department of Transportation Traffic Count shared on Patronicity, the 10th Ave. and 10th St. intersection sees an average of 22,000 to 26,000 vehicles. As one of the busiest intersections in the Upper Peninsula, the DDA believes this project will capture traffic already passing through and encourage additional visitors.
“There’s not very many downtowns that are overlooking the water like this downtown does. There’s a lot of benefits to this real estate here that no one here even remotely understands, and the only way it’s going to become more valuable is if we invest in it,” Aubert said.
As the owner of Wind Rose North Ltd. Outfitters in downtown Menominee, Mich., Aubert knows the business landscape as well as anyone.
“Will the archway benefit me as a resident and private business owner? I’ve never hidden from that — it absolutely will. But, it’s also going to help everyone that’s downstream from the arch — and it should, that’s the purpose of it. I will benefit and so will future and current business owners,” he shared.
The DDA is asking for $50,000 in donations from citizens and businesses to fund the project, which will include a permanent archway, historical signage and lighting and landscaping.
This crowdfunding project has been supported by the Public Spaces Community Places (PSCP) crowdgranting program through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the Michigan Municipal League. Through this program, if the DDA can raise $50,000 by July 20 then the MEDC will provide a matching grant.
“This project can only succeed with your support. Every donation — no matter the amount — helps bring us closer to unlocking MEDC’s matching funds and completing this community landmark,” Aubert wrote.
In addition to the anticipated financial benefits of the 10th & 10th Archway Project, the DDA is proposing the city instate a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District within the core commercial area along 1st Street.
A TIF is an economic tool where taxes on a base value are routed to the normal taxing bodies — like the county and public schools. As new businesses and properties are built, property value increases and taxes above the base (the increment) are paid to the TIF. A TIF has a set active lifespan to pay off any upfront project costs before the district expires and all taxes are routed back to the normal bodies.
The Menominee DDA proposed a TIF District to fund property redevelopment, upgrade downtown infrastructure and support local businesses. The total estimated cost for all proposed projects and operations over the life of the plan is $8,480,000, which is divided into short-term, mid-term and long-term phases.
“The purpose of the tax increment financing plan is to produce revenues sufficient to pay the principal, interest, paying agent fees and accounting costs for the bond issue which is proposed to finance the development plan and have funds available to pay for projects that do not require bond financing; typically referred to ‘pay-as-you-go’ projects,” the DDA wrote in their TIF plan.
The DDA is made up of volunteers, but Aubert explained that a legal consultant and a coordinator to help build the proposals and provide professional insight expanding beyond the scope of the volunteers.
While the DDA is continuing to fundraise for the 10th & 10th Archway Project advocate for the TIF District, reactions towards the proposed TIF have been mixed.
During the most recent Menominee City Council meeting on Tuesday, May 26, continued discussion ended in a failed 4-4 tie vote. One council member, Josh Jones, was not present.
Aubert expressed frustration over the lengthy process of receiving DDA ledgers from the city in order to provide council members with the requested additional financial information. Additionally, the council also asked to consider a 20-year TIF timeline instead of the proposed 30 years and instating mandatory five-year reviews.
Still, Aubert remains confident and hopeful in the work of the DDA, “We may not have the perfect idea, but one thing is clear — doing nothing will yield nothing.”
The next Menominee City Council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on June 15. The DDA will meet at 5:30 p.m. on June 17.
The DDA master plan and development plan are available online at www.menominee.us/downtown-development-authority.
For more information on the 10th & 10th Archway Project or to make a donation, visit www.patronicity.com/project/menominees_10th__10th_archway_project#!/.
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