What’s happening: The future is bright in the Electric City. The City of Sturgis has announced plans to lean into its “Electric City” nickname, a moniker held by the city since 1896. A placemaking campaign will leverage the Electric City brand in an effort to draw more visitors to downtown Sturgis, and all the while instilling a little hometown pride in a historic Michigan community situated just north of the Indiana border.
What’s in a name: Sturgis first became the Electric City in 1896 following the city launching its municipally-owned and -operated electric utility. The moniker became even more significant in 1911, when a hydroelectric dam opened.
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Renderings courtesy of Heidi Wolfe from Wolfe Makes Art.
What’s planned: The Sturgis Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is responsible for the Electric City placemaking project, with plans to install more than 2,900 lineal feet of LED lighting atop the downtown buildings lining Chicago Road. A new “food truck park” will include four electrical hookups and seating area, including ADA-compliant picnic tables. The old pumphouse will receive new lighting, paint, and public artworks by way of murals. The DDA also plans to create The Electric Alley downtown, which will include outdoor seating areas, lighting attractions, and a public art installation. And the DDA will launch a new QR code-friendly website that highlights more than 25 notable locations downtown.
How they’re doing it: The Electric City Project has been accepted into the state’s placemaking initiative Public Spaces Community Places, a joint effort from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), Michigan Municipal League, and Patronicity. As part of the initiative, the Sturgis DDA has launched a $50,000 crowdfunding campaign on the Michigan-based Patronicity platform. Should they successfully reach their goal by Monday, Aug. 12, the MEDC will contribute a $50,000 matching grant to the project.
Learn more about the Electric City Project on Patronicity.
Why it’s important: "The goal of the DDA has always been to amplify the vibrancy and business activity in our downtown. Lighting the skyline of our downtown buildings has been a vision for years, but without the necessary financial backing, the idea remained dormant,” says Melvin Camburn, Sturgis DDA Chairperson. “Over the past 18 months, DDA board members passionately engaged building and business owners, reigniting excitement and support to bring this project to life."
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