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Making Michigan’s #1
Tourist Attraction More Pedestrian-Friendly
June 30, 2002
Upgrading "Walkability" Features in
Downtown Frankenmuth
Saginaw Future prepared and administered an
application to secure a Community Development Block Grant for a downtown
revitalization project in Michigan’s top tourist destination: Frankenmuth.
The city of Frankenmuth was awarded $585,000 in CDBG funds from the Michigan
Economic Development Corporation. Over $2 million in local matching funds
were also provided for the project by the Frankenmuth Downtown Development
Authority.
The goal of the project is to expand pedestrian walkways along Frankenmuth’s
Main Street. CDBG funds were focused on improvements at the Frankenmuth
Visitors Center Platz and the Gunzehnhausen Platz — both on Main Street. At
the Visitor Center Platz, improvements include new benches, trash
receptacles, lighting and landscaping. The Gunzehnhausen Platz, located
across the street and one block south of the Visitor Center Platz, will be
expanded to accommodate a greater number of visitors along the corridor. In
addition, realignment of the traffic patterns near this platz will improve
vehicle and pedestrian safety, supporting easier and more direct access to
Zehnder’s Restaurant.
According to Steve Black, vice president of Saginaw Future, "what really
pushed the project over the top is the continued growth and job creation at
these two destination restaurants," he said. Frankenmuth’s Bavarian Inn and
Zehnder’s Restaurant expect to hire 35 additional employees as a result of
the project. BACK |
