Iron Street in downtown Negaunee is seen in the 1950s. (Photo courtesy of the Negaunee Historical Society)

NEGAUNEE — The problems old mining towns have trying to rise up from the ashes don’t always adapt perfectly to economic realities of modern life.

As mines close, local businesses either wither, or go with the flow, most wither. It was 1974, 50 years ago, that the Negaunee Economic Development Association initiated a program called Project Pride.

The results of this study would provide guidelines to initiate action to improve the appearance of the downtown business district and to enhance the access to the downtown via Teal Lake Avenue.

The originator of this plan was a firm from Traverse City. These were the observations introduced by that firm. Businesses and civic groups will have to take the initiative to implement changes. To make the downtown more pleasant with a plan for trees for greenery in the vicinity of the downtown and around the fire hall.

A coordination of signs and provide a general plan for the development of the U.S. 41 business district. Present a plan for planting trees in the non use areas and to develop a scheme for parks and open spaces.

General observations of the present condition and future growth as seen from U.S. 41 is rapidly changing. Commercial development and changing traffic patterns are forcing congestion and there is little direction leading to the central business district. The Teal Lake area is very pleasant and should be preserved for development.

There should be an orderly growth and development of the lakefront. The downtown consists of old well built brick and stone structures. These structures are still very handsome but because remodeling has occurred on many buildings, much of the authentic and honest expression of the original structure has been lost.

These two words, authentic and honest should be the basis for providing the city with character. The Railo building and the fire hall are but a few of the many structures still honest in their expression. They are of brick and stone and are detailed with the time and patience of craftsmen.

With the location of the train depot and the freight building another business district develops. Revitalization such as planting trees and creating open spaces on the intersection of Silver and Iron Streets.

Plans for planting around the fire hall. Facade remodeling of existing structures. Hopefully these are the areas that will be of further discussion. Negaunee is a pleasant community of interested and devoted citizens who are interested in its future.

Sixteen years later, it is 1990. A Mining Journal article titled “The dying downtown” tells this story. A tax increment financing plan is being considered by the Negaunee city council in a plan to revitalize this former boomtown. The tax increment financing would use increases in downtown property taxes to pay for city improvements, such as water and sewer and street systems.

One hardware store owner said a TIF plan is a catalyst for Negaunee’s future prosperity. An old deteriorating sewer and water system downtown was temporarily repaired in 1989 but both systems still need major work.

It’s a “Catch 22,” he said, adding Negaunee needs successful businesses to help pay for infrastructure improvements to draw business into town. Projects like the building of a modern mall to spruce up the downtown that had an “old fashioned” look ran into roadblocks and retailers slowly began moving out.

A plan to develop downtown under an “Old Negaunee” theme failed when the Downtown Development Authority couldn’t gather enough support. There were two trains of thought going on. A quote from one of the councilmen said, ” anybody who would put a business in downtown Negaunee would be a damn fool. Turning Negaunee into a picturesque town takes a lot of money.”

Another quote comes from a businessman, “Go down the street and take a look at some of those old buildings, they are gorgeous. they could be very nice buildings with a little bit of elbow grease.”

Now it’s 2024, the trees are planted, the sewer and water lines have been repaired, the area around the fire hall is taking shape. The store fronts are changing, the fence around the football field adds to the entrance of the city.the area around Teal Lake looks inviting. Pocket parks are emerging in open spaces.

Yes, everybody had to make some concessions during street repairs but downtown is looking good. It just took 50 years to get it done.