Downtown Hastings A Place for Talent MML Community Excellence Award - City of Hastings 1

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1 Downtown Hastings A Place for Talent 2016 MML Community Excellence Award - City of Hastings 1

A Growing Need Downtown Hastings has long been the center of activity in Barry County, and a geographic hub of West Michigan being a short drive from Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, and

2 A Growing Need Downtown Hastings has long been the center of activity in Barry County, and a geographic hub of West Michigan being a short drive from Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, and Lansing. Popularity and success of local musicians, children s entertainers, artists, and festivals outgrew the existing venues : o Spray Plaza o Courthouse Lawn o Restaurants and Coffee Houses o Summerfest Made social, economic, and cultural sense to build a synergistic connection through Downtown with the Thornapple Plaza, Riverwalk, and Spray Plaza, and City Parks at each end MML Community Excellence Award - City of Hastings 2

Thornapple Plaza Downtown Hastings place-making and destination efforts Fits with city s Eastside Downtown Redevelopment Plan Re-purposed blighted/brownfield site Architectural fit with adjacent

3 Thornapple Plaza Downtown Hastings place-making and destination efforts Fits with city s Eastside Downtown Redevelopment Plan Re-purposed blighted/brownfield site Architectural fit with adjacent building - Hastings Public Library A 1.2 million dollar project funded 100% by a local family foundation 9 months Concept to Opening Low Maintenance 2016 MML Community Excellence Award - City of Hastings 3

Summerfest, Jazz Festival, Roots Music Festival Concession stand run by local service

4 Thornapple Plaza Seats 700-1,000 Venue for 30 FREE community concerts from June August On the Hastings Riverwalk Trail and the Thornapple River Venue for other Downtown events: Summerfest, Jazz Festival, Roots Music Festival Concession stand run by local service clubs such as Hastings Rotary and Kiwanis 2016 MML Community Excellence Award - City of Hastings 4

Orchestra Amazing growth in the popularity of genre music: o Blues o Folk o Jazz o Country o Bluegrass o Americana

5 Local Talent Over 50 FREE concerts in Downtown Hastings this summer at multiple venues Hastings, Barry County, and West Michigan have outstanding talent Continued growth and popularity of Hastings City Band and Thornapple Jazz Orchestra Amazing growth in the popularity of genre music: o Blues o Folk o Jazz o Country o Bluegrass o Americana Thornapple Plaza + Spray Plaza helps build entertainment momentum in Downtown 2016 MML Community Excellence Award - City of Hastings 5

Fits with other cultural events taking place in

Barry-Roubaix Road Race o Gus Macker 3-on-3

6 Fits with other cultural events taking place in Downtown Hastings o Fridays at the Fountain o Playing at the Plazas o Roots Music Festival o Arts and Eats o Jazz Festival o Summerfest o Barry-Roubaix Road Race o Gus Macker 3-on-3 Basketball Events 2016 MML Community Excellence Award - City of Hastings 6

7 A Better Life for Residents and Visitors Building an enriched culture and quality of living in Hastings and Barry County Music - Free Concerts Visual Art Sculptures and Murals Parks and Trails Green Space Thornapple River Walkable and Bikable - Healthy 2016 MML Community Excellence Award - City of Hastings 7

Hastings prime natural resource the Thornapple River Thornapple Plaza adds a third set of

8 Riverwalk Connects the Thornapple Plaza on east end of Downtown with smaller Spray Plaza on the west end of mainstreet Runs through three riverside parks 63 acres Captures the beauty of Hastings prime natural resource the Thornapple River Thornapple Plaza adds a third set of public bathrooms Downtown along the Riverwalk 2016 MML Community Excellence Award - City of Hastings 8

Accommodates up to 200 Funded 85% by private donations Spray

children s educational entertainment and concerts Venue for

Festival Redevelopment of a vacant lot on Mainstreet in

9 Accommodates up to 200 Funded 85% by private donations Spray Plaza Grew from success of the Downtown Sculpture Tour FREE children s educational entertainment and concerts Venue for Downtown events such as: Summerfest, Jazz Fest, Roots Festival Redevelopment of a vacant lot on Mainstreet in Downtown Hastings 2016 MML Community Excellence Award - City of Hastings 9

10 Local Collaboration Making a Better Place City of Hastings Hastings Rotary Hastings DDA Hastings Kiwanis Thornapple Arts Council Downtown Merchants Local Philanthropists and Volunteers 2016 MML Community Excellence Award - City of Hastings 10

Street Theater. New Broadway Theater Anchors New Downtown District GTS Development LLC September 20, 2017

Street Theater. New Broadway Theater Anchors New Downtown District GTS Development LLC September 20, 2017 Street Theater New Broadway Theater Anchors New Downtown District Speakers Stephen L. Swisher, AIA LEED AP Lead Principal-GTS Development, LLC Justin Belliveau Former Chief Administrative Officer- Salt