<< Return to Foundation Focus Page A Road to Our Future Chris A. McGuigan On August 30, 2005, under a spectacular blue Muskegon sky, a group of cyclists wheeled into downtown led by Congressman Pete Hoekstra to begin the Groundbreaking for Western Avenue 's reconstruction! It was a wonderful celebration of community desire, vision and hard work. I had the honor of speaking to the crowd gathered about the efforts of the private sector in creating this downtown, and this is what I said : Almost exactly three years ago a group stood here for another ceremony-that one to cut the chains that came to symbolize the captivity of our downtown, our history, our future. That group is here today and I would like to introduce them, the representatives of the Downtown Muskegon Development Co. - representing the Paul C. Johnson Foundation, Pat Johnson and Chuck Johnson, representing the Chamber of Commerce, Rich Robinson, Roger Spoelman, Russ Strong, and Cindy Larsen , and for the Community Foundation, Dave Bliss, Jim Sheridan, and Mike Bozym. The work of the Downtown Muskegon Development Co. is supported by several private sector professionals without whom we would not be celebrating today- Frank Bednarek , Jim Edmonson, Dan Rinsema-Sybenga, Jerry Lottie, and Arn Boezaart . Those professionals are joined by Bryon Mazade from the City of Muskegon , Paul Roy and Wendy Ohst from the County, and Heather Sandberg from Congressman Hoekstra's office, as the Project Team who work daily to move this project forward. Two separate task forces have been formed to help us achieve the social and cultural goals of this project. First, the Downtown Opportunities Committee led by Jerry Lottie, whose purpose is to help assure this road we break ground on this fall leads to a downtown, where all feel welcome to work, live, and play. The second is the Public Art Committee led by Pat Johnson and Henry Mathews, whose purpose is to help assure that the new downtown will be visually remarkable through the art it displays. As we forge ahead, we have heard from hundreds of people both individually and through the Imagine Muskegon process, who share the vision, have the same desire - whose eyes shine with memories of crowds and fun in the Downtown of the 50's and 60's. Those to young to remember that busy downtown, gaze at the reflection of the sun on Muskegon Lake and envision what a lakefront downtown could be. As this group works, they know they also represent people who are no longer alive, but who literally lived their lives to benefit Muskegon and left funds to sustain the work of making Muskegon beautiful: Beginning with Charles Hackley, Thomas Hume and other philanthropists of their generation, followed in more recent times by Paul C. Johnson, Alta Daetz, Eunice Bush, -- and many others. In turn, we are now challenged to usher in a new Muskegon : -a shining city on the water, a united city, a beautiful and prosperous city. And you know what? The road we are on will take us there! For those who have trouble imagining, simply open your eyes and look, down Western Avenue towards the Hartshorn Building, the Watermark, the Artworks Project, and the Grand Valley State University Lake Michigan Center, projects that have begun to redefine the West end of Downtown. And then look East on Western Avenue ; see Edison Landing, the Grand Valley State University Alternative and Renewable Energy Center , and beautiful Shoreline Drive . Today, we join the investors, dreamers and believers who have already begun. This road we build today brings us to them and to a prosperous future for Muskegon ! << Return to Foundation Focus Page