Construction begins on South Front Street streetscape project in Dowagiac

The City of Dowagiac announced Sunday that construction has begun on the South Front Street streetscape project, a public infrastructure effort intended to extend the look and feel of downtown two blocks south toward Dowagiac Creek.

City officials said the project is the first phase of a longer-term plan to connect downtown to North Front Street through future redevelopment and infrastructure improvements.

“Many years of planning, engineering and organizing funding have gone into this project,” Mayor Patrick M. Bakeman said in a statement. “We’re connecting our downtown to our waterfront and continuing to invest in an area that will play an important role in Dowagiac’s future.”

The project includes new asphalt and curbs on South Front Street from Park Place to about 400 feet south of the Dowagiac Creek bridge. Plans also call for new sidewalks, curb ramps, on-street parking, lighting and streetscape elements designed to match the existing downtown area.

The city also plans to upgrade water mains and storm sewer infrastructure. Officials said storm sewer outfalls will be relocated away from the bridge area to better protect Dowagiac Creek.

A second phase under consideration would include reconstruction of Chestnut Street from Pennsylvania Avenue to Front Street, along with burial of overhead electric lines.

The project received support through a $668,000 grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Revitalization and Placemaking 2.0 program, along with matching local funds from the city. City officials said Market One assisted with the grant application process.

Assistant City Manager Amanda Sleigh said the funding strategy allowed the city to combine infrastructure improvements with downtown-style streetscape work.

“Dowagiac doesn’t have the tax base of a big city, so every public dollar we put into the ground has to do double duty,” Sleigh said in a statement.

Economic Development Liaison Matt Money said the city envisions future housing development along the corridor, including a mix of homes, apartments and condominiums.

Recent and ongoing city projects include redevelopment at 113 Commercial St., the Wounded Minnow brownfield redevelopment, FitStop apartment conversions, the Lincoln School housing development, construction of a new fire department headquarters and upgrades to wastewater and water treatment facilities.

South Front Street is closed to through traffic from Park Place south to north of Pokagon Street. Additional closures are in effect at the High Street intersection and on Chestnut Street east of Pennsylvania Avenue. The city expects closures to remain in place through August, though local access to homes and businesses will continue during construction.