CLICK BELOW TO HEAR COMMENTS FROM ESCANABA MAYOR MARK AMMEL
CLICK BELOW TO HEAR COMMENTS FROM PROJECT MGR DARREN PIONK
CLICK BELOW TO HEAR COMMENTS FROM CHAMBER DIR. VICKIE MICHEAU
Ludington Street, Escanaba’s main business thoroughfare, has officially reopened.
The 16-block street has been under a massive construction project for the past two years, first with the east end in 2025, and then the core business district between 10th and 16th Streets this summer. The work caused major disruptions for downtown businesses and residents since April 27, with crews often working twelve hour days, even in the rain.
On Wednesday, the Escanaba community had a huge celebration at the Marketplace downtown, across the street from the Upper Elementary School, where kids were let out of class to witness the end of the largest construction project in more than a century.
The ribbon cutting ceremony featured speakers that included the Escanaba mayor, Delta County Chamber of Commerce director, the Escanaba Downtown Development Aithority, and local business owners. In fact, two local business owners who opened their storefronts as the construction was in progress were given the honor of being the first two vehicles to use the newly-finished street. The Escanaba High School marching band was on hand to play several songs, and people were treated to cupcakes and drinks in the Marketplace pavillion.
The project manager, Darren Pionk, told RRN News, that the project was a difficult one. He says much of the work saw the removal and replacing of underground water and sewer pipes that date back to the 1880’s. Then after that work was done, the concrete streets and sidewalks had to be replaced with a fresh layer of blacktop that city officials say will last for years.
Some of the work also included new streetscaping to make the downtown Escanaba area “more walkable”. It includes brand new bike lanes alongside the vehicle lanes, and a switch from angle parking to parallel parking.
Delta County Chamber of Commerce Director Vickie Micheau says downtown businesses were resilient during a “very tough” tourism season. She says that the community pulled togather to make sure those locally-owned small businesses still have enough customers to survive.
Escanaba Mayor Mark Ammel echoed those sentiments, leading the crowd into a chant of “hip, hip, horray!”
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