MSU Presents Exciting Ideas for Downtown Springport

Associate Professor Warren Rauhe from Michigan State University Small Town Design and Initiative presented an elaborate presentation on Wednesday September 14th to more than 35 Springport residents and SAGA members.
“There are multiple ways in a person’s mind how items will look, but the important thing is that people view these ideas, collaborate, and discuss them.” The “ideas” that Professor Rauhe is discussing can be viewed on the Springport web site at http://www.springportmi.com/tour/home.htm.

Throughout the meeting there were several “ooohs and aaahs” as the audience watched the powerpoint presentation depicting how changes can be small or big, and still make a lasting impression. One of items Professor Rauhe stressed was the importance that as a town, “we have a composite so that over time all things can be updated gradually”. Improvements will build upon each other and the process certainly isn’t expected to happen over night.

Another important point discussed was how far does Springport want to go? It is vital to decide what point the improvements to the downtown will be enough; when buildings fill each empty lot or when the sidewalks are repaved. Professor Rauhe commented that “these matters need to be on everyone’s mind; how much is enough, and what is your limit?”

The theme that ties each of the changes you view on the virtual tour together, according to Professor Rauhe is, “the better we pedastrialize the community, the better off we will be… this is a people place, not a drive-through neighborhood for cars, the streetscape needs to look like a place you would want to walk in.”

The overall experience can be summed up by SAGA member, Bill Russell, “a tree either grows or it dies, it never stays the same, so grow to your advantage.” If you would like more information on the streetscape project, donating to the project, or SAGA, please visit http://www.springportmi.com.