The Depot Town Community Development Corporation has been busy working on many projects to refine its organizational functions and improve Frog Island and Riverside Parks.
Initiatives & Progress
Riverside Park Dock Renovation
Thanks to the students at Washtenaw Community College’s Construction Institute and support from the City of Ypsilanti and Eastern Michigan University, the dock is in it's final stages of completion at Riverside Park. The framing of the gazebo is complete. The CDC has been actively fundraising to secure funding for the addition of metal roof to highlight the new venue. We anticipate completion of the roof by Spring of 2010. The addition of the finished gazebo to the dock will serve as an exciting new venue for the community.
Wireless Ypsi
Free wireless Internet is now available in Riverside Park courtesy of Wireless Ypsi. Access in Frog Island Park is soon to follow! Check out Wireless Ypsi for more information on Ypsilanti's FREE wireless network.
Marketing Campaign
In 2009, the CDC worked with TK Productions to create a destination marketing plan that highlighted local events and business. The viral marketing campaign primarily targets a younder demographic by using social media (such as Facebook and Youtube) to reach our audience. This year we will continue to measure the effectiveness of the marketing effort, and plan to continue and expand the campaign. We will also target community members to become involved with the CDC, through our sponsorship kits.
Also, keep your eyes peeled for new investigative reports from Russ Mantooth!
Electrical Upgrades
Rebuilt electrical pedistals that were originally unsafe have been undertaken by the CDC, to ensure safety and provide great electrical output capacity.
Michigan Roots Jamboree
Plans are progressing for the 2nd annual Michigan Roots Jamboree planned for August 6-7, 2010. This will be a family friendly celebration of Ypsilanti's history and culture with music, food, and many other activities. Come out to hear bluegrass, roots, Americana, folk, gospel and much more! Proceeds from the festival will benefit the Depot Town CDC to maintiain self-sustaining operations.
Ypsilanti Film Festival
The Ypsilanti area provides a great opportunity for a new film festival. With the growth of film and video production in Michigan, Ypsilanti can be a key location for hosting a film festival and bringing the community together to participate in this event. The objective is to bring three major areas of Ypsilanti together (Downtown, Depot Town, and Eastern Michigan University) to work side by side on this event. The objective is to bring recognition to filmmakers, while atracking visitors to the area and providing entertainment for local residents.
Pedal-Powered Film Series
Mark Maynard invited the CDC to partner in the development of this event. The Depot Town CDC is hoping to host a film series in the parks powered by YOU. Participants will ride bicycles to power a generator supplying the power for the screening. Stay tuned as plans develop!
Instrument Flea Market
This concept ties into our larger iniative ot attract more musicians and artists to the community. The idea is to host a monthly flea market at the plaza in Depot Town where musicians can congregate, network and exchange ideas. The plaza would transform into a market where musicians could sell, trade and purchase instruments directly from other musicians and local businesses.
US 12 Heritage Trail Garage Sale
August 11-13 marks the annual garage sale that takes place on US 12 from New Buffalo to Detroit. The CDC is evaluating the idea of hosting a community flea market in Riverside Park that would occur in conjunction with the state-wide event.
October Fest
The event concept is to create a new festival that would occur simultaneously in Riverside Park and Depot Town. Depot Town would host an Octoberfest themed event with beer gardens, ethnic food, and local vendors. It would be coupled with a Halloween-based event in the park with haunted houses, hay bale mazes, pumpkin patch, and hay rides. Fun for everyone!
Festival of Lights
The CDC is developing a plan to bring back the holiday lighting in Riverside Park that existed before Domino Farms initiated a similar event. The event would feature LED lights in Riverside Park, to be used in conjuction with a multi-week holiday display for the community, while also serving as a fund raising event for the CDC.
History of Completed Projects
Development
The CDC has developed and paid $20,000 for a conceptual plan and redevelopment strategy for Riverside and Frog Island Parks, which was adpoted into the updated Parks & Recreation Master Plan by the city.
Festivals
The CDC along with the DTA have developed new festivals, such as Michigan ElvisFest, Michigan Roots Jamboree, and Fallapalooza. The money raised during these events is used to benefit the community.
Painting
New Parks Manager Ernie Smith has been systematically adding a much needed coat of paint to many structures in the park, including the gates, benches, picnic tables, electrical pedestals, rails,the blockhouse, and the pavilion.
Lighting
Market Place Alley has been refurbished historical signage, trees, benches, and lighting have been added. The CDC also helped fund the installation for new lights for Riverside Park.
Removing Fallen Trees
Fallen trees have been removed in Riverside Park, along with river debris and logs that had collected under the dock in Riverside.
Poker Fundraisers
Staff have spent many weekends working at poker tournaments to raise funds for operating expenses.
Improved Accounting System
We have also upgraded our bookkeeping and accounting systems.
Noise Impact Study
Decibel levels were recorded during the Michigan ElvisFest to study the impact on neighboring residents. These findings will be used to benchmark sound levels, monitor future event decibel levels and guide policy to mitigate the impact of events on neighboring residents.
Blockhouse
The blockhouse in Frog Island Park, used primarily for storage was in poor condition when we took over operations of the parks. Since then we have cleaned out the facility, allocated a large portion on the floor area to the Heritage Festival for equipment storage and replaced the damaged door.
Water Pipes
A few repairs were made to some existing leaks in the underground water pipes early in the spring. We also made some minor improvements to the pipe connections and valves in the pavilion at Riverside Park.
Federal Stimulus Projects
The Depot Town CDC applied for three Federal stimulus projects: 1) a new bandshell in Frog Island Park, 2) the extension of the Border-to-Border through the parks, 3) construction of a new tridge and dock in Riverside Park.
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