Nate Heffron, city manager, city of Negaunee

NEGAUNEE — Whether the word “downtown” brings to mind quaint Norman Rockwell images or a vibrant center of modern activity, it has long been the heart of American communities. Brick by brick, business by business and street by street is how these downtown environments are built. The city of Negaunee just cemented one more brick into its downtown renaissance, by winning Project of the Year for 2025 from the Michigan Downtown Association. 

According to the association’s website, the MDA was founded in 1980 and is a state-wide, non-profit organization. It calls itself a “driving force in the interest and growth of downtowns and communities throughout Michigan.”

The Negaunee Downtown Development Authority entered the community’s Downtown Enhancement Project for consideration this year. Projects could fall into categories such as placemaking, promotions and marketing, redevelopment projects, infrastructure/streetscape, historic preservation etc. Negaunee’s project fell under the criteria for placemaking. 

Negaunee worked hard to develop a unique identity for its downtown. Creating social hubs that celebrate our history, culture, outdoor recreation, and businesses. While making the necessary investments in infrastructure and also creating a place where people want to live, work, and gather, which are all critical criteria for placemaking.

Negaunee was able to take advantage of a Revitalization and Placemaking grant through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation which helped facilitate part of our downtown project. 

According to the MEDC, “Through the RAP program the MEDC partners with local communities to proactively address revitalization needs by investing in projects that promote population and tax revenue growth. These investments help create the environment necessary to attract and retain talent, add new housing options, enable business creation and attraction, and provide resources for Michigan citizens and communities”.

Negaunee was able to use funds that were already earmarked to make repairs to water, sewer, streets, and sidewalk systems within the downtown area as a match to the RAP grant. Had RAP not been available, we wouldn’t have been able to do the streetscape. 

Since the city’s investment, new businesses have been started and current businesses have expanded and been stabilized. Additionally, more residents and visitors are reexperiencing Downtown Negaunee for its festivals, outdoor spaces, and services provided by local businesses. 

What can we expect in the near and distant future with Downtown Negaunee? More investment! We have already begun this process with a second streetscape project in the summer of 2026, thanks to a $200,000, no match grant by the Michigan Department of Transportation. 

We’ll see even more infrastructure improvements starting in 2027 and 2028. These improvements will include new sewer mains and improvements to public spaces such as parking lots.

Residents and visitors can also look forward to art installations, just like we’ve recently seen at Strega Nonna and Love & Bicycles. Continuing to make the downtown more attractive and to add to the culture of our community.

You’ll also begin to see more businesses move in and fill up the vacant spaces that once were filled many generations ago. Potentially adding new buildings in downtown as well. 

Last but not least, you’ll see the rehabilitation of the Vista Theater. Not only to be a live theater, but a community center and gathering space for Negaunee residents and visitors. A place that once brought people together to be entertained will once again be the crown jewel of Downtown! 

Negaunee will not stop forging our community in a positive way, our adventures are not over because of a couple of awards. They only cement the idea that the community is on the right track and allow us to celebrate our achievements so far. We will always be Forging Our Adventures in Negaunee!