Crowdfunding campaign launched for “East Alley” project in Three Rivers

$25,000 goal to win matching grant through MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places initiative

LANSING, Mich. – Downtown Three Rivers will gain a lively gathering and performance space  through a new crowdfunding campaign, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Three Rivers Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and city of Three Rivers announced today. The campaign is being offered through Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity.

If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $25,000 by September 1, the project will win a matching grant with funds made possible by MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places (PSCP) program. For project details and to donate, please visit: patronicity.com/eastalley.

“East Alley will transform an empty, but busy, walkway into an engaging space that will host and highlight the Three Rivers community,” said MEDC Senior Vice President of Community Development Katharine Czarnecki. “We are pleased to provide resources for this project through our Public Spaces Community Places program.”

Downtown Three Rivers has experienced a surge in foot traffic and new visitors in the past decade. With the opening of six different restaurants in the past couple of years, the East Parking Lot plays a huge role in providing direct access to the many options to eat, drink and shop. The DDA formed a design committee that identified the East Walk-Through Alley as a prime location to provide a unique place for people to hang out and enjoy the downtown atmosphere.

The East Alley project is the result of those design sessions and will turn the existing walk-through from the East Ramp into a space that will feature arts, culture and entertainment. This project includes repairing the damaged brick on the north wall of the alley, creating additional plugs for public use, adding small patios that can be used as stages with the addition of overhead string lights, seasonal decorations, seating, artwork and sound equipment.

“We are a small community with big dreams and limited resources. This grant was recommended by our executive director, Tricia Meyer, and we are very excited to be participating with the MEDC on this project,” said Mike Hogoboom, vice chair of Three Rivers DDA. “This match allows us to make our donor dollars stretch and accomplish great things in our downtown.”

Public Spaces Community Places is a collaborative effort of the MEDC, the Michigan Municipal League and Patronicity, in which residents can use crowdfunding to be part of the development of strategic projects in their communities and be backed with a matching grant from MEDC. Communities, nonprofits and other business entities can apply at https://patronicity.com/puremichigan.

“Creating engaging public spaces in key to great placemaking,” said Dan Gilmartin, CEO and executive director of the Michigan Municipal League. “Transforming the look and feel of East Alley will make it a sought-after destination for residents and visitors alike.”

The Public Spaces Community Places initiative started in 2014 with MEDC providing matched funding of up to $50,000 for community improvement projects throughout Michigan. As of June 24, 2019, MEDC has provided $6,580,696 in matching grants. Since the launch of the program, 215 projects have been successful in reaching their goal, with $7.7 million raised from 40,243 individual donors.

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.