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Introduction
Downtown/Lakeshore Redevelopment Plan
The Downtown/Lakeshore Redevelopment members of the City and regional
Plan presents a pragmatic, results-oriented business, governmental, institutional,
strategy for the revitalization and banking, investment, development,
redevelopment of Downtown Muskegon educational, entrepreneurial, and
and adjoining Muskegon Lake waterfront. residential communities;
As a framework for action, realization of the
plan requires long-term commitments of Business owner, neighborhood, City
focused resources, time, and public official, and City staff workshops;
support.
Downtown shopper and patron surveys
The plan focuses on specific steps and (215 individuals were surveyed);
actions necessary to accomplish goals that
define a desired future for Muskegon's A telephone survey of 450 households
Downtown. Those goals include: within the Downtown's market area as
defined by the shopper and retail patron
Establish a framework for investment in surveys;
Muskegon's Downtown core;
A physical analysis of Downtown
Enhance the viability of existing assets Muskegon which included an
and opportunities; examination of land use, pedestrian and
vehicular circulation systems,
Create a 365-day-a-year Downtown; concentrations of activity, and of
primary Downtown facilities; and
Develop portions of the City as a
regional employment center; A retail market analysis that determined
general market conditions and
Enhance the productive interaction of identified the market potential for retail,
the various assets; service, and other redevelopment
activities.
Develop portions of the City as an
entertainment and visitor center;
Improve the City's image; and
Improve links between the core
Downtown and waterfront.
The plan is a framework for action that is
supported by findings and
recommendations based on:
Perceptions of the City's past, present,
and potential future, as shared by
Downtown/Lakeshore Redevelopment Plan
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Introduction
Downtown/Lakeshore Redevelopment Plan
Downtown/Lakeshore Redevelopment Plan
1. Introduction 5. Market Analysis
Presents a plan overview. Presents a detailed overview of
commercial use patterns, attitudes and
2. Issues, Assets, and Opportunities perceptions, and the demographic and
socio-economic issues relevant to the
An overview of issues, assets, and Downtown. The market analysis
opportunities relevant to the City and component provided a pragmatic basis for
Downtown as identified during the Downtown enhancement, redevelopment,
planning process. The plan defines issues and plan implementation actions.
as those aspects or features of the
Downtown that are perceived as 6. Proposed Projects
problematic if not addressed or resolved.
Assets and opportunities are those aspects Describes a variety of completed,
and features of the Downtown that are proposed, and in-process projects that can
perceived as positive, vital components of benefit Downtown development and
the City's past, present, and potential redevelopment efforts. It also describes
future. other projects that will enhance the
Downtown and assist in an on-going
3. Goals process of building Muskegon as a regional
focal point.
An overview of goals for enhancing the
Downtown established during the early 7. Physical Design Considerations
phases of the planning process.
Provides a range of recommendations for
4. Defining a Manageable Downtown physical maintenance and improvements
within the Downtown.
Delineates a core Downtown consisting of
four distinct functional centers in which 8. Implementation Actions
specific development and redevelopment
activities should be focused. Describes specific means and methods that
should be used in the process of
implementing the plan.
The plan offers a variety of exciting past planning and development initiatives
concepts and challenges that are based on rather than overlooking them. As a
some of the finest urban assets and framework for action, realization of the plan
opportunities found in West Michigan. The requires long-term commitments of focused
plan retains historic aspects of Downtown resources, time, and public support.
Muskegon, and blends those aspects with
contemporary ideas. Moreover, it builds on
Downtown/Lakeshore Redevelopment Plan
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Introduction
Downtown/Lakeshore Redevelopment Plan
Over time, City leaders, staff, and the
public will be faced with difficult decisions
regarding the expenditure of public
resources. "Should economic development
resources be concentrated on the
revitalization of a core Downtown, or
should all projects be considered on an
equal basis regardless of location and
Downtown impact?" In response to such
questions, this plan recognizes that
Muskegon comprises more than just a
Downtown, and that all areas of the City
are important.
However, one might view the Downtown
as the "heart" of the City, providing life to
the community and region as a whole.
Accordingly, one must ask; "what are the
long-term implications of failing to sustain
the Downtown?"
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City of Muskegon 1 3