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Planning Future of Ontonagon’s Waterfront

[Ontonagon, Mich.] – On October 1, more than 20 Ontonagon residents met at the Community Action Building to discuss the future of the village’s waterfront. The Ontonagon community is now invited to the next phase of the case study.

From November 5 to 7, the village and project team will host a three-day planning meeting, or “design charrette,” to identify a shared vision for the community’s waterfront.

Three public events and several technical meetings are scheduled. Participants will explore ways to further distinguish Ontonagon as a unique waterfront community and destination on Lake Superior.

The state- and federally-funded project aims to assist coastal communities in identifying planning objectives to ensure a secure future for public harbors. Design and planning professionals will assist the community in developing a vision for the waterfront based on hands-on public participation.

What to Expect

*Public Events for the Sustainable Harbor Design Charrette*

Day 1: November 5
6 – 8 p.m.
Public Input Workshop

Day 2: November 6
6 – 8 p.m.
Open House: Selecting a Preferred Option

Day 3: November 7
4 – 6 p.m.
Public “Work in Progress” Session for Ontonagon Waterfront

All events held at Gogebic-Ontonagon Community Action Agency meeting room at 429 River Street, Ontonagon. Please enter the building from Spar Street.

On day one of the charrette, participants will identify several specific planning options for the waterfront and surroundings. During the open house on day two, participants will view visual depictions of the options identified on day one and will work towards a preferred option for the waterfront and surroundings. Day three will provide a review of the “work-in-progress” vision to ensure the research team accurately captured community preferences put forth throughout the process.

The research team will then return in several weeks with the community’s refined vision and supporting materials before delivering planning resources to the community.

Participants in the charrette will have the opportunity to consider many characteristics of the community including accessibility, available dockage, retail and service amenities, parks and recreation, aesthetic values and finances. Each of these characteristics is important in positioning Ontonagon as an environmentally, socially and economically secure harbor community.

The research team will be onsite at the library Community Action Agency meeting room through much of Friday and Saturday to develop visual and technical supporting materials for the preferred option. If you are unable to attend the evening open houses or are interested in the charrette process, you are welcome to visit the research team at the Community Action Building between 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

All Ontonagon residents are encouraged to participate. Refreshments will be available for the three public sessions and no registration is required.

Sessions will take place at the Gogebic-Ontonagon Community Action Agency meeting room at 429 River Street, Ontonagon. Please enter the building from Spar Street.

For more information on the project, visit: www.miseagrant.umich.edu/smallharborsustainability [http://www.miseagrant.umich.edu/smallharborsustainability?source=govdelivery&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ].

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