Page 2 — Thursday, May 27, 2021 — The Hastings Banner
Hastings DDA reviews streetscape plan
Sophie Bates
Staff Writer
The City of Hastings’ 30-year-old
downtown streetscape master plan has been
updated, with input from the Downtown
Development Authority, by planning,
architecture and design companies Wightman
and McKenna.
At the DDA meeting May 20, board
members reviewed the plan and began looking
at how it could realistically be implemented in
downtown Hastings.
The plan is more than 75 pages long and
includes guidance on everything from the
width of sidewalks to downtown beautification
to amenities, such as benches, bike racks and
trash cans. It reflects the DDA’s highest
aspirations for downtown, such as heated
sidewalks, which may or may not come to
fruition over the next few decades.
The plan will guide what updates are made
in the downtown in the future, keeping a
cohesive vision for downtown at the forefront
of the decision-making process, board
members said.
But, in her initial assessment of the plan,
DDA Chairperson Patty Woods noted that it
does not coincide exactly with the desires and
considerations expressed by DDA members.
For example, Woods noted that the plan
recommends 16-foot-wide sidewalks on State
Street, which currently has 10- to 12-foot-
wide sidewalks. DDA members had previously
discussed this change and expressed concern
that 16-foot sidewalks would make parking
too tight, since the drive lanes are 12 feet wide
and remain that way in the plan.
While the board did discuss particulars of
the plan — such as snow removal, seating and
lighting, flower displays and a fire pit — the
majority of discussion was spent debating
what parts of the plan the board should begin
reviewing and changing, if needed, and what
should be implemented first.
The board decided to begin with roadways,
sidewalks and parking since that infrastructure
would impact the space available for other
components, like benches and trees.
The plan proposes turning both Jefferson
and Church streets into one-way streets
running in opposite directions. Both streets
would have 8-foot wide parallel parking spots
on one side and 18-foot wide angled parking
spots on the other. Jefferson Street would
keep its current 10-foot wide sidewalks and
Church Street’s sidewalks would be extended
from five to six feet to eight feet.
It also proposes extending the State Street
sidewalk from 10 to 12 feet wide to 16 feet by
reducing drive lanes to 12 feet in width.
Board members were receptive to the ideas,
but said they need confirmation from the
Department of Public Services, the police
department, fire department and city council
that they would be able to implement the one-
way concept on Jefferson and Court streets.
“I mean, it’s safe to say that we need to go
back and say, ‘City council, we would like to
make these two streets a one-way. It’s part of
what we’re planning, and we need to know
whether that’s doable before we continue
because it will change everything,’ ” Trustee
Deb Hatfield said.
Community Development Director Dan
King said he would check with the departments
to make sure the one-way idea is feasible for
those streets.
The DDA board decided to continue
discussion on the plan, once they have an
answer from King, and set another workshop
for 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 1.
Before that workshop, a survey will be sent
out to members to gauge their priorities and
opinions on snow removal, parking, sidewalks,
trees, planters and seating, a fire pit, lighting,
water and electric systems and more.
The board also approved an inter-local
agreement with the brownfield redevelopment
authority for a development project at 128 N.
Michigan Ave, the former Moose Lodge
property.
The brownfield authority utilizes tax
increment financing, which captures
incremental local property tax growth, to
reimburse developers for eligible expenses
incurred during an infrastructure project.
The project at 128 N. Michigan Ave., which
entails both commercial and residential space,
is eligible because a baseline environmental
assessment completed in April identified
mercury in the site’s soil at a concentration
exceeding amounts set by the Michigan
Department of Environment, Great Lakes and
Energy.
Hastings Michigan Ave LLC, the site’s
developer, will be reimbursed up to $23,
for an environmental site assessment, up to$72,000 for site preparation and up to $55,
for infrastructure improvements to sidewalks,
streets, curbs and gutters.
“Basically, what the DDA would be
agreeing to is assigning the [tax increment
financing] capture from the DDA to the
brownfield redevelopment authority for
repayment of the approved expenses that [the
developer] ... will incur during the
construction and redevelopment of that site,”
King said.
During the public comment portion of the
meeting, co-owner of Bunker’s Smokehouse
and Grille Todd Schaal requested that the
board consider funding three to four “buskers,”
or street performers, to perform at various
locations around downtown Hastings
throughout the summer.
Schaal is spearheading the idea and
suggested they book buskers from 5 to 8 p.m.
every Saturday from the first week of June to
the second week of September for a total of 17
Saturdays.
“I was wondering if the DDA would support
financially having performers,” Schaal said.
“Other communities [have performers], such
as a Saugatuck, where you have regularly
scheduled entertainment. There people say,
‘Where do you want to go?’ on the weekend
or out to eat. [And they say] ‘I don’t know,
let’s go downtown.’ And they just identify
downtown as a destination, knowing that
there’s cool stuff going on: entertainment and
places to eat and stay.”
Schaal said the idea to have buskers came
from a desire to drive traffic to downtown. He
requested a budget of $3,000 because the
performers would cost approximately $
per Saturday.
The City of Hastings has hired buskers in
the past, and the DDA suggested Schaal work
with Arts and Event Coordinator Maiya
Merrick because Merrick’s office has
connections to local musicians. The DDA
approved up to $3,000 for the performers.
Superintendent of Hastings Area School
System Matt Goebel also spoke during the
public comment portion of the meeting.
In an interview with The Banner prior to
being hired as superintendent for Hastings,
Goebel said one of his priorities would be
developing close relationships between the
district, local government and community-
based organizations.
In keeping with that intention, Goebel took
public comment as an opportunity to brief the
DDA on the district’s Aug. 3 bond proposal.
“I’m just months on the job as the new
superintendent at Hastings Area School
System. But, really, I just wanted to make sure
that I’m in tune and communicating with all
aspects of the city of Hastings. I think that’svital for that reciprocal relationship between
the schools and the City of Hastings,” he said.
In other business, the board:- Held one of two mandatory informational
meetings per year. The DDA is funded by tax
increment financing, which means tax revenue
is diverted to the DDA from other City of
Hastings municipal bodies, such as Barry
County and Hastings Area Schools. The
informational meeting is an opportunity for
these municipal bodies, known as taxing
bodies, to see where the DDA has spent
money during the previous year. - Approved the Barry County Chamber of
Commerce for a $10,000 loan through the
DDA’s Exterior Building Improvement
Program. The loan will assist in paying for a
total roof replacement at the chamber, 221 W.
State St. The loan has zero-percent interest
and requires a dollar-for-dollar match; the
Chamber anticipates spending $26,000 on the
roof replacement, with total project cost
estimated at $36,000. DDA Board trustees
Lyndy Bolthouse and Tom Wiswell abstained
from the vote due to personal involvements
with the Chamber.
Memorial Day ceremonies
planned in area
The Orangeville community will kick off
Memorial Day ceremonies with a
commemorative service at 2 p.m. Sunday,
May 30.
The 14th annual ceremony will honor
deceased veterans – dating as far back as the
U.S. Civil War – who once lived in
Orangeville Township.
Along with guest speakers Boyce Miller,
Mark Englerth and Skip Coryell, the
ceremony will include the Delton Kellogg
High School band and the honor guard from
Hastings American Legion Post 45.
The public is welcome, and all honorees
are asked to abide by current COVID-
protocols.Multi-township vehicle cruise
Monday, May 31, a car cruise will begin
at 10 a.m. in the parking lot of Gun Lake
Community Church, 12200 W. M-179 in
Yankee Springs Township.
Vehicles will be driven to Orangeville
Township before heading to Hastings and the
veterans memorial at Tyden Park.
Anyone wanting more information may
call Al, 269-664-5194, or Mark, 269-838-
1289.Middleville
The Memorial Day parade will begin at
10:30 a.m. Monday, May 31, starting from the
village-owned lot off of State Street, heading
west through downtown, stopping at the
bridge on Main Street for a wreath ceremony,
then to the veterans memorial for placing of a
wreath honoring those missing in action.
From there, the parade would head toward the
cemetery, where a colors ceremony is planned.
The parade will honor two longtime
participants who died in the past year: Village
President Charlie Pullen and former
Thornapple Township trustee Walt Eavey.
Eavey was a fixture at past Middleville
Memorial Day parades with his trailer with
flags depicting the various military services.
Some of his children will ride the trailer as
part of the parade.
Pullen will be represented by a rider-less
horse carrying boots backward – indicating
loss of a rider.Hastings
American Legion Post 45 of Hastings will
conduct its annual Memorial Day ceremonies
Monday, May 31, but with some changes.
At 11 a.m., the ceremony will open with
comments from officials at the veteransmemorial in Tyden Park. Wreaths will then be
placed at the bases of the Civil War Monument
and the POW-MIA flag.
The Legion’s honor guard will fire a rifle
salute, followed by the playing of taps.
Remaining in the park, the entourage will
walk to the riverbank to place a wreath in the
Thornapple River to honor those who have
served on and under the waterways of the
world.
Another rifle salute and playing of taps will
end the Legion’s Tyden Park ceremony.
Sisters Faith Byykkonen and Kaylin
Rhoades will lead a patriotic sing-along after
the ceremony for anyone who would like to
participate.
At noon at Riverside Cemetery, Post 45
members will have a ceremony at the Avenue
of Flags and at the Grand Army of the
Republic monument, with comments from
officials, placing of wreaths and giving
honors. As in the past, organizers may honor
the veteran most recently buried at Riverside.
Masks and distancing will be observed,
based on recommendations at the time.Lake Odessa
The Lakewood-area Veterans of Foreign
Wars will host a memorial service at 11 a.m.
Monday, May 31. The Jackson Mutschler
VFW Post 4461 will preside over ceremonies
at Lakeside Cemetery in Lake Odessa. Pastor
Bruce Barker will give the sermon.
An honor guard will be present, as well,
Post 4461 Commander Steve Aldrich said.
The fire department will assist in setting up
chairs for the ceremony, which is expected to
last 30 to 40 minutes, he said.Hickory Corners
The Hickory Corners Memorial Day Parade
and pancake breakfast will not take place this
year.
However, the Sons of the American Legion
will have their chicken barbecue from 11 a.m.
to 2 p.m. Monday, May 31, at Simmonds-
Williams Post 484 in Hickory Corners.
Chicken, pulled pork and hot dogs, along
with side dishes, will be available. Take-out
will be encouraged; however, those wanting
to dine indoors will need to follow current
COVID-19 regulations.Prairieville
A memorial service is planned at Prairieville
Cemetery at 1 p.m. Monday, May 31.
Everyone is welcome.NEWS
BRIEFS
Presbyterian church
hosting blood drive
today
The American Red Cross will host a
blood drive today, May 27, from noon to
5:45 p.m. The church is at 405 N. M-
Highway, Hastings.
Individuals of all blood types are urged
to schedule an appointment to give blood.
In most cases, those who have received a
COVID-19 vaccine may donate. However,
knowing the name of the manufacturer of
the vaccine they received is important in
determining donation eligibility.
Appointments can be made by down-
loading the Red Cross Blood Donor App,
visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling
800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767).City Band to begin
summer concert
series
Hastings Live is back, and the first con-
cert of the summer season will be provid-
ed by the Hastings City Band June 2.
Each Wednesday evening in June, the
longstanding group of musicians will per-
form a free concert at Thornapple Plaza
near the corner of State and Apple/
Boltwood streets in Hastings.
Concerts will begin at 7:30 p.m.
Attendees should bring their own chairs
or blankets to sit on.
Organizers had suggested a possible
ticket reservation system because of the
pandemic. However, no tickets will be
needed.
“With the recent relaxation of the
requirements, we are pretty much back to
normal for our music series,” Dan King,
community development director for the
City of Hastings said.
Spencer White, who directs the com-
munity band, used words such as excited,
thrilled and ecstatic, when announcing to
band members they will be able to per-
form together for the first time since early
July 2019.
Concert themes will be:
June 2 – “Welcome Back!” featuring
band favorites
June 9 – A Night on Broadway
June 16 – Disney Spectacular
June 23 – An evening with John
Williams
June 30 – A Tribute to America
The band, which dates back to 1857, is
open to local musicians (regardless of
hometown) high school-age and up.
Practices will be from 7 to 9 p.m.
Tuesdays, June 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29, at
Thornapple Plaza.
“We have had lots of folks say they are
participating in this year’s City Band,”
White said. “I am very excited!”
Anyone wanting more information
about joining the band may email spencer.
[email protected].Margaret Wood and State Commander of the American Legion Barry Wood of
Hastings wave to Memorial Day car parade participants from the veterans memorial at
Tyden Park in Hastings after being one of the first of nearly 100 vehicles to complete
the parade route in 2020. (File photo)Restrictions lift as
COVID cases drop
Yet impact on schools
remains uncertain,
educators say
Taylor Owens
Staff Writer
Cases of COVID-19 in Barry County have
dropped significantly in the past two weeks.
About two to four new cases of the virus
have been reported each day this week, com-
pared to about 30 daily cases in late April.
As of Wednesday, the seven-day average of
COVID-19 tests that were positive was 5.
percent, compared to a seven-day average of
19.39 percent on April 26.
The Barry-Eaton District Health Department
reported 74 active cases on Monday. A total of
5,298 confirmed cases, 572 probable cases
and 65 deaths have been reported since the
pandemic was first reported in Barry County
in March 2020.
Residents are to continuing to get their
COVID-19 vaccines, albeit at a slower rate
than before, officials said.
As of Tuesday, 46.2 percent of Barry
County residents had received at least their
first shot of a vaccine. That number has been
increasing by slightly more than a percentage
point every week.
Barry County has been slipping farther
behind the state as a whole, which was at 58.
percent on Tuesday. The state would be close
to hitting the second milestone in Gov.
Gretchen Whitmer’s MI “Vacc to Normal”
plan, but that plan appears to have been dis-
carded.The lifting of many of the restrictions that
were previously tied to the percentage of
Michigan residents who have been vaccinated
is now going to occur on June 1, regardless of
vaccinations.
On that date, all outdoor capacity restric-
tions will be lifted, and indoor social gather-
ings can occur at 50 percent capacity.
Then all COVID-19 restrictions are expect-
ed to be lifted July 1.
But the impact on Michigan schools is
unclear.
“As of right now, we have no idea what the
orders, rules or guidelines are – or will be –
for summer school or the fall,” Thornapple
Kellogg Schools Superintendent Dan
Remenap said. “I also have no idea when that
information will be released.”
While the governor’s office created a
Return to Learn plan at the start of the school
year that mapped out a pathway to normalcy,
superintendents say they don’t know if that
plan is still in effect.
“Guidance and recommendations have
been changing every week,” Hastings Area
Schools Superintendent Matt Goebel said.
Schools across Michigan have faced grow-
ing pressure from families in their districts to
end COVID-19 restrictions, especially mask
requirements.
But superintendents say those issues are
largely out of their hands, due to enforcement
by the Michigan Occupational Safety and
Health Administration.
“Maple Valley has made it a priority to
maintain with great fidelity all legal require-
ments that were placed upon us by the goverA chart showing the recent drop in new cases of COVID-19 in Barry County.
(Provided by Michigan.gov)