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Hear that whoosh?

It's the wind in the sail of the Coastline economy.

From massive public and private investment in Muskegon's waterfront and downtown area to the surge of development along Muskegon Lake to the rapid growth of surrounding shopping centers and professional offices, the Coastline is making waves.

 

NEW - Downtown Muskegon Walking Tour-

A podcast audio walking tour is available for you to download...
click here for more details!

 

Downtown Muskegon- Main Street District

For the past several years, millions of dollars have been invested in downtown Muskegon, making it a vibrant urban community that appreciates its lakeshore location and provides a variety of work, play, visit, retirement and lifestyle options.

Anchoring the downtown, with U.S. 31 traffic along the waterfront are an outdoor concert park, loft apartments, renovations to many buildings and two innovative education/research facilities.

The Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center is a lakefront showpiece on 34 acres overlooking Muskegon Lake.  The center puts Muskegon at the forefront of the green energy movement iwht its photovoltaic solar roof tiles, Nickel Metal Hydride (ni-MH) battery energy storage system, pressed-wheat wallboard adn flooring made of recycled tires and bamboo.  The center, located in the Edison Landing SmartZone, has space available for incubating energy-efficient technology businesses and is now home to three such ventures.  A partnership between the community and Grand Valley State University has led to the Robert B. Annis Water Resources Institute at The Lake Michigan Center, one of hte world's premier freshwater research centers.   The facility has classrooms, laboratories, meeting areas and docking for two research vessels.

Living downtown is bringing excitement to the district, too.  The former Muskegon Boilerworks building has been redeveloped to provide homes and work space for artists in a tax-free Renaissance Zone.  Art Works Muskegon provides loft-style apartments as well as gallery space for artists.  WaterMark, across Muskegon Lake, has also opened the downtown to more residentail living.  Sixteen apartments/lofts are part of a multi-use plan that includes first-floor retail. 

Future plans for downtown remain committed to the neighborhood's core values of economic vitality, sustainability, environmentall intregrity, community health and social equity.  Environmentally-sensative design, neighborhood electric vehicles and "green" roofs to manage stormwater are all part of the vision. 

In the heart of downtown, an ambitious pedestrian-friendly development of townhouses, shops and offices will bring even more vigor to the city's center.

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Lakeside Business District

Boat, bike, walk, or motor west from downtown, along Muskegon Lake, and you'll discover another neighborhood in the midst of transformation. Travelers, both leisure and business, are patronizing the district's many art galleries, gift shops, bed and breakfasts, restaurants, marinas, charter boats, bike rental and other specialty shops. Learn more about Lakeside!

 

 

 

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Lakes Mall District

The Lakes Mall, a 700,000 square-foot regional shopping complex in Fruitport Township, encompasses 70 stores and eight restaurants. Smaller malls, banks, office parks, health care facilities, hotels and condos all have developed around The Lakes Mall district, making it the fastest-growing regional shopping area in West Michigan.

 

 

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College Town

Just east of U.S. 31 is the up-and-coming College Town area, home to Baker College and Muskegon Community College. More than 8,000 students travel this busy transportation corridor, running from the countryside to the lakeshore. Ethnic eateries, shopping and business, and government services offer convenience to residents and students alike.

  

 

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 White Lake

The quaint towns of Montague and Whitehall face each other on the shores of White Lake, just 17 miles north of Muskegon. These picturesque communities are popular tourist destinations, offering a peaceful way of life along with high-tech job opportunities. . Learn more about White Lake area!

 

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Muskegon Heights 

 The "City of Friendly People" is known for family heritage. One of Michigan's oldest primarily diverse communities, the city and its residents cherish the small-town atmosphere, hile looking ahead, guided by the Muskegon Heights Blueprint for Downtown 2007. Four Renaissance zones are creating space and incentives for new businesses and mixed development. Learn more about Muskegon Heights downtown!