Project Name: Scottville Optimist Park & Sculpture Project
ABOUT THE APPLICANT
Are you applying as a:
Municipal Government
What is the entity’s name:
City of Scottville
Website URL
Twitter Handle
Facebook Handle
Instagram Handle
What is the name of the primary contact for this entity’s application/project?
Joseph Knowles
What are their preferred pronouns?
He/him/his
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Where will your project take place? (please include city/village too)
City of Scottville
Anticipated project launch date
October 2, 2023
Briefly describe your project idea including your role and any project partners.
Community Park including the placement of a sculpture entry onto the Mason County Sculpture Trail. Revitalization of park space and community gathering band shell. The DDA has taken lead on the project; collaborating with Smith & Eddy Insurance, Scholtens Plumbing, and other community partners.
How do you plan to spend the $5,000 microgrant? Please list and explain the items, services, fees, expertise, etc. that you plan to purchase.
This micro grant would be used specifically to help us enter into the contractual agreement with the local artist Harold (David) Cronk for the completion of the planned sculpture and it’s placement on the park grounds in a park accessible to all.
Will your project require special permits from the community you are in? For example, anything that requires a street closure or installing a permanent art piece will likely require a special permit from your local governing body or zoning board. If your project is funded, the MML Foundation is happy to help you navigate that process. Please note that all applicants must obtain any necessary permits for their projects, if selected for funding.
No
Rachel’s Notes about the Project
Reviewed 3/21. Confirmed member status. Worked with Joe to help him submit correctly. Confirmed business locations. Confirmed letter of support. Confirmed artist.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
Why does your community need this project?
This project would bring back much needed travel, tourism and community uses thus bringing thousands of people directly back to the downtown district allow locally impacted downtown businesses to once again benefit from it’s use. In addition, the placement of the “Forward March” sculpture to the park and listing on the Mason County Sculpture Trail would drive additional tourism and travel to a very inviting public space. . This space has been used in the past for the very same purpose that is projected into the future. The revitalization of this park space will allow it to once again play host to outdoor public gatherings. The return of movies in the park (3 events annually), Scottville summer concert series (4 events annually), and others that we have lost will be re-implemented. The comprehensive DDA plan to bring back these events to the community park will be the catalyst to the return of growth and prosperity to our downtown businesses and help us attract new vibrant business development by providing consistent public gatherings.
How will you engage your community in this project?
An established fund with the Community Foundation for Mason County has already bought extensive community involvement to the planned project. Community partners such as the Ludington & Scottville Area Chamber, Pennies From Heaven Foundation, Scottville Optimist Club, Mason County Cultural Development and others have shown a county wide commitment to the planned project. Collaboration with local Scottville businesses and residents has shown a need for accessible park grounds for the disadvantaged and the elderly. This project addresses that need specifically and will allow the enjoyment of the space for community events.
What do you hope to achieve through this project?
The existing Scottville DDA plan addresses the need for public venue space in direct contact with our local businesses. The shut down and loss of this space during and since COVID-19 has directly impacted foot traffic and tourism to the area. The Scottville DDA plan focusing on revitalization of public spaces which host event and attract people; directly fits this projects purpose. The economic impact of this project is focused on local businesses and driving opportunity to them for COVID-19 recovery and additional sustainable revenue. In addition, the project will complete a long term vision of the Scottville DDA and other partners in the community to recognize it’s rich Clown Band & Agricultural history with the placement of the sculpture on the Mason County Sculpture trail.
How will the project celebrate the community’s diversity? Diversity can include different ages, races, cultures, socio-economic statuses, abilities, and more.
Specifically, this project will allow the City of Scottville to have an entry onto the Mason County Sculpture Trail in a public space that will be accessible to all. Concrete pathways throughout the outdoor park and around the planned sculpture will allow access to events and the sculpture that would previously not have been available to elderly or other disadvantaged people of all ages. The Sculpture will celebrate the local Scottville Clown Band history as well as the agriculture roots of the city and surrounding area.
What resources do you already have to make this project successful? Resources could include things like time, partners, expertise, donated goods/materials/space, matching funds, and more. Please approximate the in-kind value if possible.
Contributing partners for the project already include: Scottville Optimist Club (which donated the park grounds), Pennies From Heaven Foundation, MCC Education Foundation, West Shore Bank, Lundquist Furniture, Scholtens Plumbing, Scottville Clown Band, and more…
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Artist First and Last Name:
Harold Cronk
Describe the artist’s or artists’ work. This is not about credentials—what do they do as an artist?
Harold is a local Artist, Sculpture, and Film Director.
How will the artist be involved in this project?
Contracted for the completion and building of the planned sculpture as well as collaboration on the exterior park plans.
ABOUT THE PARTNERS
Business 1: Business Name:
Scholtens Plumbing
Business 1: Business Type:
Restaurant
Business 1: Business Owner First and Last Name:
Russ Scholtens
Business 1: Physical Location Address
142 S Main Street Scottville MI 49454
How will this partner be involved in the project?
Scholtens have been involved in both planning for the project and financial support. Owner Russ Scholtens has collaborated on the project with the planning committee.
Business 2: Business Name:
Smith & Eddy Insurance
Business 2: Business Type:
Service
Business 2: Business Owner First and Last Name:
Scott Smith
Business 2: Business Physical Location Address:
201 S Main Street
How will this second partner be involved in the project?
Financial support of the project and dedicated volunteer time in the planning of the project.
Do you have additional partners (business, non-profit, etc.)?
Yes
What are their names?
Scottville Optimist Club, Pennies From Heaven Foundation, Community Foundation for Mason County, Smith & Eddy Insurance, Mason Co. Cult Dev., Ludington Area Jaycees, MCC Education Foundation, Joan Hassenbank, Scottville Clown Band, Cottage Works Corp, West Shore Bank, Protein Foundation, Pro Master Carpet, Shelby State Bank, Lundquist Furniture, Safe Harbor CU, West MI Old Engine Club, Urka Auto Center, and countless others…
What role(s) will they have in the project?
All have contributed in excess of $2500 to the project financially and have committed time and resources to the planning and implementation of the project. The planned project is truly a community project with support from not just the City of Scottville, but also it’s surrounding businesses and community members.
Are they located within the same downtown or business district as the project?
Many of them yes, but not all.
Will your local municipal government be involved in the project? If so, how?
Yes the project is led by the Scottville DDA in conjunction with the City of Scottville. The ownership and management of the park and community center will remain in the DDA for the foreseeable future in the effort to remain public space for community gatherings.
Please upload a letter of support on letterhead for your project from your local governing body (mayor, city/village manager, city/village council member).
https://mmlfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/formidable/19/Optimist-Park-Project-LOS-City-of-Scottville-final.pdf
IMAGE UPLOADS
Image Caption 1 (if any): Artist Rendering of planned sculpture
Image 1 (if any):
Image Caption 2 (if any): Site plan drawing
Image 2 (if any):
Image Caption 3 (if any): Park Space currently
Image 3 (if any):
Image Caption 4 (if any): Full rendering of park space
Image 4 (if any):
Image Caption 5 (if any): Front of current space where sculpture will be placed.
Image 5 (if any):
