SAGINAW, MI— A $3 million dollar investment from the federal government is set to help transform a span along the Saginaw riverfront.
The funds proposed by Congressman Dan Kildee (D-Flint), will highlight new plans for economic development in the area around 507 S. Washington Ave.
At an Aug. 9 press conference, Saginaw Mayor Brenda Moore and Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce President Veronica Horn both spoke about what they hope to see with new attention coming to that area.
Horn said that many of the electrical service lines will need to be taken underground for business development.
“It can become difficult for modern business or even residential buildings looking to utilize a space like this to build with the power lines set the way they are across these open properties,” Horn said
Moore said that with the new Saginaw United High School being built across the river, whatever gets put in needs to help enrich the community.
“It’s the start of much, much more,” Moore said. “Dreams are becoming reality. We are going to strategically work these funds so everyone, citywide and from across the county, can benefit.”
Kildee said in response to the reaction of local officials, that when it comes to supporting the area, the community’s involvement always makes seeking funding less complicated.
“It makes it easy to go to bat for this community,” Kildee said. “We have so many public and private leaders that come together to handle common issues.”
The money will be designated to allow the city of Saginaw to make infrastructure investments to prepare the riverfront for economic development and take steps toward unlocking additional community development.
Without any specific businesses or groups named, suggestions listed for the space between the current AT&T downtown facility (the former Michigan Bell building, 309 S. Washington) and the Lee Mansion (633 S. Washington) include additional residential housing and closure of that span of Water Street to increase availability to the nearby section of Pothoff Park.
According to Horn, the funds have passed the U.S. House Budget Committee, and are headed for a whole-house vote in Congress before being signed by the president.
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