Segregation was still in full effect at the time, and safe recreational options for Black families were extremely limited. "I don't know if it's totally psychological, if it's totally social or cultural or what it is, but you get this feeling of relief."īy Stephens' research, when Idlewild was first established in 1912, it was only the third resort in America catering to Black visitors. you see the blinking lights at Broadway and US-10, you know you're in Idlewild and you get this feeling," says Ronald Stephens, a Purdue University professor who has written two books about Idlewild's history. But Idlewild still holds deep significance for many Black visitors. Since the era of the civil rights movement, many of the community's hotels, cottages, and clubs have fallen into disrepair, although recent initiatives at the state and local level have sought to revitalize the community. Idlewild, an unincorporated community in Yates Township in Michigan's northwestern Lower Peninsula, was a thriving Black resort town, known as "the Black Eden," for most of the first half of the 20th century. "So when I visited, I just was really captivated by how magical it was, and how quiet and serene."Ĭourtesy Idlewild International Film Festival. "I didn't even know that Idlewild was a real place in Michigan," says Brugnone, who would go on to launch the Idlewild International Film Festival there just one year later. “We would like to encourage the public when able to please support the downtown events, as the proceeds from those events directly support the grants and the revitalization of the community we live in,” Anderson said.įor more information about the grants, go online to /grants.When Detroiter and self-proclaimed "city girl" Tinisha Brugnone first visited Idlewild in 2018, she'd never been to a rural area before – let alone one steeped in decades of history as a Black recreational, intellectual, and cultural center. They also have Sundance Building in Norway and Waterfront North and South in Menominee. In addition to Franklin Square, Eden Property Collection in Iron Mountain includes Stephenson Court, Thunder Island, Timbers Motor Lodge, Sandstone Studios, and Orion Hunting Products. Deadline for the Facade Improvement grant program is March 22, and May 24 for the Downtown Assistance grant program. They are now accepting applications for both grant programs. The DDA has two available grants for properties and businesses in the Downtown District, the Facade Improvement grant and the Downtown Assistance Program grant. “We are very grateful to Eden Property Collection and to all of the downtown developers that have continually invested in and worked to revitalize downtown Iron Mountain,” Pipp said. This is a matching grant program that provides financial support to property owners for small and large projects that enhance the aesthetic appearance and functionality of the existing property.Įxamples of qualifying projects include, but are not limited to, removing non-historic features and materials, adding windows or display areas, uncovering or rehabilitating the original facade of an existing building restoring or repairing original brickwork, wood, masonry or stucco reconstructing architectural details such as cornices or transoms replacing or repairing windows and doors and adding traditional-style awnings, lights or signs. The program supports improvement to exterior building facades - front, sides, back - that eliminate blight and stays true to the traditional architectural characteristics of the downtown. “The DDA is extremely proud to support this facade project, which has made a noticeable impact downtown,” said Amber Pipp, DDA program director. The Facade Improvement grant was designed to encourage revitalization of historic properties within the DDA district. Those efforts are realized through the grants that the DDA offers.” “Despite a challenging year, we remain committed to creating inspiring places to work and live in our community. “Everyone at Eden would once again like to thank the Iron Mountain DDA for their efforts and continued support in the rejuvenation of our downtown,” Anderson said. They currently have three vacancies in the Franklin Square - two at ground level and one in the lower level. This was the second grant Eden has received to update its properties.įranklin Square suites are occupied by Francie’s Traditional Design, Bankers Life, Eden Property Collection office, John Lutz, TADCA, WRK Collection, Dickinson Area Community Foundation, Distinktive Tattoos LLC, Bethel Ministries and Northpointe Behavior Services.
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