Throughout the week of April 11 through 16 you might have noticed that things were changing on the north side of the Creek at Main Street. Undergrowth and dead trees were removed opening up the view of Cedar Creek. Earlier this year there was an old Grey house standing on the site that was torn down, paving the way for the beautification of the area.
Over the past few years, the Community Building Development Team (CBDT) has come together to promote the City of Cedar springs and to help implement items in the Master plan that have been around for many years. With members in the community, the City Council, and assistance from HRC the Heart of the City is beating really strong again. Items such as the new Library, and Amphitheater are in stages of design and “soon to be” construction, with other projects being prepared, such as:
- A pathway, boardwalk, and pedestrian bridges along Cedar Creek (to be called the “Fishing Line”)
- A Veterans Clock Tower
- A community center
- A recreational center
These exciting projects led to the effort put forth by the many volunteers to “clean-up” the properties where these new projects are planned to be constructed. On Saturday, April 16, women from the Aquinas College women’s hockey team, several employees of Hubbell, Roth & Clark Inc. (HRC), as well as many members of the Cedar Springs Community, joined forces to drag the brush, logs, and trash into piles that will be disposed of, leaving a lovely area for residents of Cedar Springs Community to enjoy.
John Ensley with HRC, the engineering firm that the CBDT has hired to accomplish the engineering needs of the amphitheater as well as the site plans for the entire area, was the chairperson for the cleanup effort. Quote from Mr. Ensley: “Like most people involved with the CBDT, I grew up in this community. When the opportunity came about to help improve the area, I decided it was time to give some more back. Once you are involved, and able to see all that is happening, the atmosphere becomes intoxicating and you just want to do more. There are some great things happening in Cedar Springs, and the best part is that it doesn’t come from just one person. The community is making the decisions on what they want and how to build their own community.”
Clearing was also completed on land recently purchased from the Somer’s that runs along the Cedar Creek and the White Pine Trail through to Pine Street. This land will provide a walking trail/boardwalk along Cedar Creek between Main St. and the White Pine Trail. The planned boardwalk and pathway will eventually continue from North Park where it will tie into 17 Mile Road, linking the north end of the historic downtown area with the 131 corridor businesses.
More information about the progress on the CBDT projects can be found at www.cscommunitycenter.org or on the Cedar Springs Community Building Development Team Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Cedar-Springs-Community-Building-Development-Team-353617661444365/
HUBBELL, ROTH & CLARK, INC.: For 100 years, through innovation and design, HRC has made significant contributions to Michigan’s vital infrastructure by providing consulting engineering and architectural services to municipal, industrial and private clients. HRC is a full service, multi-disciplined firm comprised of 200 professional engineers, surveyors, architects, and technical support staff, including LEED AP accredited professionals. HRC is an Engineering News Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm and Top 50 Trenchless Technology Design Firm whose work has been recognized by prestigious industry awards. HRC was recently honored by the American Council of Engineering Companies of Michigan as 2014 Large Firm of the Year. HRC has offices in Bloomfield Hills, Grand Rapids, Howell, Detroit, and Delhi, Michigan. For more information, visit our web site at www.hrc-engr.com.
