Community Input Needed for Downtown Muskegon Heights Vision Plan
Muskegon, MI – The City of Muskegon Heights, Greater Muskegon Economic Development, Community Foundation for Muskegon County, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), and SmithGroup are coming together to create the “Reaching New Muskegon Heights” vision plan for the future of downtown Muskegon Heights. The City, along with its planning partners, is asking for input from Muskegon Heights residents, non-residents, business owners, visitors and potential investors to help develop a clearer consensus around priorities for reinvestment and future developments within the City.
DIY (Do It Yourself) survey kits are now available online at www.reachingnewmuskegonheights.org, and at various locations throughout downtown Muskegon Heights. Locations include Muskegon Heights City Hall, Muskegon Heights Library, Chicken Coop, Fancy Yancey’s, Cogic Center at Holy Trinity Church of Christ, Read Muskegon, Urban Apparel, Hair Plus Beauty, and Mission for Area People at Temple United Methodist Church. Completed surveys can be returned to City Hall, or to the location where they were picked up. People are also invited to create a short video of their thoughts and ideas, and text their video to 231-335-7887. The deadline to submit surveys and videos is Sunday, February 28.
“These survey kits are such an important part of this process, and we hope people will take the time to give us their input,” commented Community Foundation for Muskegon County staff member Jocelyn Hines. “We know this community is filled with pride, and now is the time to come forward and tell us what you’d like to see in a new, redeveloped downtown.” Muskegon Heights Mayor Walter Watt said this is just the first step in a long process to create a plan for downtown and attract new investment. “Muskegon Heights is a resilient community. We do things and get them done despite the obstacles and challenges put before us. We want as many people as possible to engage in this process to help create a vision and a direction for the coming decades,” he added.
Videos have also been created to help promote the importance of filling out a DIY survey, and to familiarize people with the types of questions they’ll be asked in the DIY survey kit. They can be seen on the Home page at www.reachingnewmuskegonheights.org, as well as on the Get Involved page here – https://www.reachingnewmuskegonheights.org/pages/get-involved. Videos were produced by Mike Vogas of Benchmark Productions, Corey Blackman with Seaway Tours, and Glen Gray with Glen J.R. Gray Designs & Entertainment. Reaching New Muskegon Heights project partners encourage everyone to share the videos to help spread the word about this opportunity to provide input.