Plymouth Businesses Celebrate Downtown Streetscape Opening

Visitors to downtown Plymouth Saturday were treated to free hot dogs, fudge and a small celebration capping off the end of a two-year, $2 million along Kellogg Park.

The updates included new asphalt road surfaces, new concrete intersections with LED traffic signals on mast arms, and new brick-paver crosswalks. Capping off the project is a polished compass artwork placed at the intersection of Main and Ann Arbor Trail.

 On Saturday, the crowds gathered from noon to 3 p.m. for the free food provided by the Plymouth Downtown Development Authority and businesses such as , and the , and watched the authority and the contractors involved cut a ribbon signifying the project is complete.

“I love all the changes,” said Gary Wiebe, a 37-year-old Canton resident who sat at the fountain with his two daughters Jenna, 11, and Lauren, 7. “I like the new streets they put in, and how the businesses just seem to be growing. There’s just a lot more to see and do for a family.”

Plymouth has enjoyed a resurgence even while suffering through the past recession and housing downturn. Where downtowns used to be fading away due to mall competition, the opposite seems to be occurring, as malls die out and residents seek a community gathering place to shop, eat and relax.

The city’s downtown has about 95% of its shops and restaurants occupied and doing well, said John Buzuvis, Plymouth’s director of business operations.

Buzuvis said contractors were hired by the DDA from a city list. The contractors included The Old Village Landscaper, GM & Sons Inc., Rauhorn Electric Inc., ProLine Asphalt, Wade Trim and CI Contracting Inc.

State Rep. , in attendance for the ceremony, praised the authority and city staff for using private funds for the improvements. The authority gathers a portion of tax revenue from downtown businesses and reinvests it into marketing and improvements such as this project.

“This is the way it’s supposed to be done, a cycle of businesses providing for themselves. It’s a beautiful project, and helps attract new businesses and more jobs for the community,” Heise said.

Resident Henry Dryovage, 53, agreed the improvements have helped boost the attractiveness to the downtown.

“Last night it felt like it was a street in New York City, just crowds of people walking around," Dryovage said. "It’s a small town atmosphere with free parking, and shops and restaurants that bring in people, and for residents to enjoy.”