Boyne City’s downtown has experienced a makeover--and much more. With the help of matching funds from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority and Michigan Economic Development Corporation, they were able to replace the facades of many of the downtown businesses with a look reminiscent of a quieter, simpler era. The new look has enhanced the charm already present in a town “Where Life Meets Lake" and has earned them a spot on the National Register of Historic Places, an important designation which allows tax credits for property owners and also attracts visitors.
Over the past ten years they’ve also completed a million- dollar-plus streetscaping project officials say will help create a workable infrastructure for the years ahead. The majority of the work was funded by a $504,000 grant from the MEDC; the city picked up the rest of the tab. Many other projects have been completed in the past ten years, including the formation of “Street Strollers,” a farmer’s market and many special events.
All of this was achieved by
Main Street Boyne City and a supporting cast of local agencies and volunteers who care about their community.
Main Street Boyne City is administered and supported by the Michigan Main Street Center and the National Main Street Center. The designation makes them eligible for technical and financial assistance. They’re also obliged to follow the Main Street Four-Point Approach, a proven method of economic development that encourages economic development through historic preservation “in ways that are appropriate for today’s marketplace. "
The Four-Point Approach relies on volunteers to serve on the following committees: organization (bringing together community stakeholders), promotion (marketing your assets), design (enhancing the physical assets of a town through strategic planning), and economic restructuring (strengthening a community’s existing economic base and taking steps to enhance and attract new businesses to fill the needs of the marketplace).
“Our crowning achievement is a combination of many successes--façade projects, streetscape improvements, building solid and productive relationships with community partners, engaging and listening to the community, and being open to new ideas,” says Hugh Conklin, manager of Main Street Boyne City.
That’s putting it modestly. As a result of Main Street Boyne City, a designation granted to only four towns and cities in Michigan, there has been an infusion of new businesses, creating a buzz that can be heard all the way across the lake to Charlevoix and beyond.
Karen Guzniczak, a life-long resident of Boyne City and business owner in the area has not only witnessed this buzz, but was instrumental in creating it. Guzniczak, who has owned and managed Country Mom’s Inn and
Up The Lazy River for more than 23 years, has been a part of Main Street Boyne City since it started ten years ago. Conklin said Guzniczak took it upon herself to understand the Michigan Main Street concept. Once she did there was no turning back. She quickly got on the promotions committee and went to work.
The enthusiastic and hardworking Guzniczak put the principles of Main Street Boyne City into practice by creating the popular “Street Strollers,” an idea she proposed practically from the inception of Main Street Boyne City ten years ago. Street Strollers gives locals and visitors a place to go on a Friday night for music, entertainment and a little shopping. Guzniczak says it is efforts like this that have helped out all the downtown businesses.
“If I can help other businesses be successful, my business will be successful,” says Guzniczak. “When we can all be successful it creates a good atmosphere, brings people to town, provides jobs.”
She added since the Street Strollers program has become popular she has gone from 25 visitors on a Friday night to hundreds coming in. She says this has been the case for other downtown businesses as well.
And the work isn’t done yet. Main Street Boyne City has plans to renovate the Boyne Theatre and eventually add downtown housing into the mix with 15 condo units, work that is slated to start yet this year, says Conklin. They are also checking out the feasibility of converting a pavilion in Veterans Park, home to the Boyne City Farmers Market, into a year-round facility which could house the Farmers Market from November through April. This would also give the vendors of wholesome food a permanent location.
If you’ve never been to Boyne City, it is a town that pays homage to the water. It is located on the southeast end of beautiful Lake Charlevoix; the Boyne River runs through downtown and empties into Lake Charlevoix. Come to Boyne City in the summer time and you’re likely to see sailboats caressing the water, families strolling the streets and people just relaxing on a city bench or in the park.
“What isn’t there to like about Boyne City?” says Guzniczak. ” It’s a destination town, it has great character, we’re on the river... Lake Charlevoix is here and the people are friendly. I think we have a very vibrant community and I take great pride in where we’ve gotten so far.”
Top Ten Things to Like About Boyne City
(as voted on by the folks who know Boyne City)
1. Stroll the Streets
2. Restaurants
3. Shopping
4. Waterfront
5. People
6. Special Events
7. Ambience
8. Parks
9. Farmer’s Markets
10. Walkability
Neil Moran is a freelance copywriter living in Sault Ste. Marie.
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