Huron County View

Sebewaing residents looking to revitalize the downtown area






Make your voice count A team of residents seeking input on what people feel the future of downtown Sebewaing should look like will hold another Sebewaing Downtown Revitalization meeting 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 22 at the Sebewaing Township Library.

Make your voice count A team of residents seeking input on what people feel the future of downtown Sebewaing should look like will hold another Sebewaing Downtown Revitalization meeting 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 22 at the Sebewaing Township Library.

SEBEWAING — A team of Sebewaing residents looking for ways to revitalize the village’s downtown area invites others to the next Sebewaing Downtown Revitalization meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 22 in Sebewaing Township Library’s Community Room.

Melanie McCoy, one of the team members, said that the team members applied to Michigan Main Street, an initiative offered through Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) and were accepted to participate. Others on the team include Chris and Doug Deming, Julie Epperson, Alexander Khoury and Jeff Parsons. Huron County Economic Development Commission Executive Director Carl Osentoski is also involved in the efforts.

The Michigan Main Street Program Main Street Four-Point Approach is a community-driven, comprehensive strategy which encourages economic development through historic preservation in ways that are appropriate for today’s marketplace. Its four points include: design, economic restructuring, promotion and organization.

The Sebewaing group conducted a brainstorming meeting in February and invited the public to offer input and make suggestions. The ideas were voted on and results tabulated to see those garnering the most support. A couple favorites included a food-related business and an activity-based business.

The group also evaluated Sebewaing’s strengths, opportunities and possible disadvantages.

Osentoski spoke at the first meeting and told of a creative placemaking event called WaterFire, hosted in Providence, R.I., involving an award-winning luminous art installation by Barnaby Evans along a town river and featuring evening events. McCoy said that she has actually attended one of these events and that she thinks it’s a possibility to consider.

The team welcomes volunteers as well as input and further suggestions. Team members are also setting some shortterm and long-term goals to improve the village’s downtown area. The March 22 meeting is open to members of the general public. Anyone not able to attend may offer input and suggestions or volunteer by contacting any one of the team members.


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