Crowdfunding campaign launched for ‘The Alluvion at 414 East 8th St.’ project In Traverse City

$50,000 goal to win matching grant through MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places initiative

LANSING, Mich. – Downtown Traverse City will soon gain a performance space and visual arts infrastructure at the Commongrounds Cooperative through the anticipated success of a crowdfunding campaign. the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and local nonprofit Crosshatch Center for Art & Ecology announced today. The campaign is being offered through the Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity.

If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $50,000 by July 15, the project will win a matching grant with funds made possible by MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places program. For project details and to donate, please visit: patronicity.com/tc.

“This project will create an intimate venue for performing artists, as well as provide community art and gathering space for Traverse City residents and visitors,” said MEDC Executive Vice President of Economic Development Incentives Michele Wildman. “We are pleased to support and provide resources for this project through our Public Spaces Community Places program.”

The Greater Traverse City region has some beautiful places to play, like the Opera House and Milliken Auditorium—but these rely on selling 400 to 600 tickets. For artists who are hoping to connect on a more intimate level, or emerging artists building an audience, the options are limited. Often, artists seeking a smaller venue are left to decide between bars, house concerts, or church basements, sacrificing good sound or an attentive audience. The Alluvion, a dedicated 150-seat listening room, offers a much-needed alternative to that.

These outspoken arts infrastructure needs will be housed within the community-owned walls of the Commonground Cooperative’s four-story mixed-use building, under construction now at 414 E. Eighth St. in Traverse City. In addition to a listening room, the space will also serve as a community arts space, health and wellness space, meeting hall, and gathering place for the community. The project will add timely momentum to the redevelopment of the North Boardman Lake District, designated by the city of Traverse City for redevelopment as a multi-modal, compact, vibrant “healthy living” corridor.

“This space is something really special. It fills the missing middle—a better listening environment than a bar, but not so big that it is difficult for a performer to fill. This matching grant will help make this place inclusive for all ages and abilities—supporting artists and audiences where they’re at,” says Amanda Kik, co-director of Crosshatch Center for Art & Ecology.

“This is how a community becomes an arts community. We nurture it,” said Traverse City musician May Erlewine. “We make space for it. We honor it, and by doing that, we make something happen here that is unlike anything else in the region.”

Public Spaces Community Places is a collaborative effort of the MEDC, the Michigan Municipal League, and Patronicity, in which local 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.

“The Michigan Municipal League is a strong believer in creating strong, thriving communities through community wealth building,” said Dan Gilmartin, CEO and Executive Director of the League. “The Alluvion at Commongrounds Cooperative in Traverse City speaks directly to the arts and culture component of community wealth building. With the public’s support, this space for arts and gathering will enhance the human experience for all for years to come. This is what community wealth building is all about.”

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 April 30, 2022, MEDC has provided more than $9.9 million in matching grants. Since the launch of the program, 310 projects have been successful in reaching their goal, with $11.5 million raised from 52,895 individual donors. Communities have a 97 percent success rate in achieving their goals and earning our matching funds.

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.