The City of Escanaba and the Escanaba Downtown Development Authority announce the official re-opening of Ludington Street on Wednesday, September 16, at 1 p.m. A community ribbon-cutting ceremony will mark the successful completion of a massive, two-year, 16-block infrastructure revitalization.
Since April, a core ten-block stretch of Ludington Street has been fully closed to traffic to allow crews to execute critical underground upgrades. This extensive undertaking completely replaced aging city sanitary, sewer, and water mains, alongside vital upgrades to lead service lines to ensure the long-term safety and reliability of city utilities.
The project also provided a new look to the downtown with streetscape designs. From Lake Shore Drive to 10th Street, the roadway includes bump outs and wider sidewalks to calm traffic and encourage walking. The road from 10th to 16th Streets includes a new traffic pattern and landscaping. The entire street includes a bike lane on both sides of the roadway.
To celebrate the resilience of local merchants and the dedication of the workforce, the landmark event will feature a diverse lineup of community figures.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony will include Escanaba City Council members, city utility workers, construction crews, Delta Chamber of Commerce and downtown business owners and employees.
“This project represents a monumental investment in our city’s future,” said Melissa Becotte, interim city manager. “We invite the entire community to join us in thanking the crews who built this new foundation and celebrating the grand re-opening of our historic main street.”
A ceremonial first ride along Ludington Street from 6th to 16th Streets will include the owners of two businesses that opened during the construction, Brandy Torvinen and Curt and Kelly Spaulding.
Torvinen held a ribbon-cutting ceremony in front of Water Lily Gifts & Gathering on May 1, with construction trucks digging up the street in the background. She will be riding a 2002 Corvette owned by Tony Lambert of Leigh’s Garden Winery.
The Spauldings opened CK Downtown Martina Lounge in June as utility lines were being replaced beneath the street. They will be driving a 1979 Grand Am during the ceremonial ride.
To celebrate the new bike lane on Ludington Street, Jon Harris, owner of Beaten Path, will ride a bicycle down the 10 blocks. Josh and Brittney Hoogerhyde, owners of Swedish Pantry, will ride the golf cart they used to bring customers to their restaurant during construction.
“It has been a difficult time for businesses during the two-year project,” said Craig Woerpel, director of the Escanaba Downtown Development Authority. “This is a great way to celebrate a rebirth of our downtown. We are hoping that a good number of business owners and their employees will be able to stand behind the ribbon as it is cut.”
Providing a celebratory feel for the occasion, the Escanaba High School Marching Band will perform live as traffic is welcomed back to the downtown.
With the final asphalt layers successfully cured and fresh lane striping complete, barricades will be officially removed following the 1 p.m. ceremony. Becotte said motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists are encouraged to return to downtown Escanaba to explore the newly enhanced streetscape and support local shops.
CAPTION: A paint crew from PK Contracting use a template to mark the new bike lanes in Escanaba’s downtown. A ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 1 p.m. to celebrate the re-opening of Ludington Street.
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