Pumpkin Promenade and Trick or Treating Information

The Pumpkin Promenade is scheduled for Monday, October 31 from 4-6 p.m. in downtown Mt. Pleasant. Children 12 years and under are invited to dress in their Halloween costumes, trick-or-treat at downtown businesses, and enjoy kid-friendly outdoor activities at Town Center.

The City of Mt. Pleasant’s Trick-or-Treating hours are 6 – 8 p.m. on October 31. Please remember the following safety tips.

Remain on well-lit streets, and use sidewalks.
A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children.
Look both ways before crossing the street, and use crosswalks.
Carry a flashlight and/or wear reflective clothing.
Always stay in front of a residence, and never enter a house when Trick or Treating.
Inspect all treats collected, and discard any item that is not sealed.

Sleepy Dog Books – Make It Mt. Pleasant Rental Subsidy Recipient

Sleepy Dog Books, a boutique bookstore, is scheduled to open on May 6^th at its 120 E. Broadway Street location. Sleepy Dog Books is the third recipient of the Make It Mt. Pleasant rental subsidy program. Launched in 2020, this grant program is offered to new or expanding downtown Mt. Pleasant businesses.

Fully funded by Lake Trust Credit Union, and administered by the City’s Downtown Development Office, the Make It Mt. Pleasant Program is designed to support new retail, dining, arts and entertainment businesses. The program focuses on first floor commercial spaces within the downtown TIFA district.

Up to two businesses per year are accepted for funding. Selected applicants receive 12 months of rental assistance, not to exceed $4,200, as well as a waiver of City fees and charges not to exceed $2,500. This waiver includes costs associated with building, sign, outdoor merchandising and outdoor dining permits.

Michelle Sponseller, Downtown Development Director shared, “Mt. Pleasant is fortunate Lake Trust Credit Union offers the Make it Mt. Pleasant rent subsidy program and continues to lead by example in assisting new and expanding small businesses.” She added, “Sleepy Dog Books is a model for creating a retail experience while enabling community engagement. It is very exciting they chose downtown for their store location.”

Riley and Jenifer Justis, owners of Sleepy Dog Books said, “Our May 6^th grand opening is planned as a Community Block Party, complete with live music, activities and much more.” They continued, “Through this amazing grant program we were able to take the time and build a bookstore following and community even before the physical opening of our storefront.”

Businesses interested in the rental subsidy program should schedule a pre-application meeting with City staff prior to applying. Contact Michelle Sponseller at (989) 779-5348 or msponseller@mt-pleasant.org to schedule an appointment.

To download a copy of the Make It Mt. Pleasant guidelines and application please visit:
http://www.mt-pleasant.org/departments/division_of_community_services/downtown_development/

Downtown Mt. Pleasant Christmas Celebration Scheduled for December 3 and 4

Downtown Mt. Pleasant will be filled with holiday spirit at the Christmas Celebration slated for December 3 – 4, 2021. A community tradition for almost three decades, this event offers a variety of activities for the whole family.

On Friday, December 3 at 5 p.m. the celebration kicks off at Town Center with a new Winter Market featuring specialty crafts and food vendors. Candy Cane Lane at Town Center will host a variety of children’s games and activities, and the Community Sing-Along and Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. Christmas light tour hayrides will also be offered. Tours will begin at University and Broadway Street.

Celebration attendees are invited to help the Mt. Pleasant Police Department and Toys for Tots “Cram-A-Cruiser” with new, unopened, unwrapped toys. Stop by Town Center between 5 – 8 p.m. to get an up-close look at a police cruiser while helping the toy drive.

Saturday, December 4 highlights include the Jingle All-The-Way Kids Fun Run, 5K and 5 Mile Run starting at Max & Emily’s. Registration must be completed online. Races begin at 7:50, 8:25 and 8:30 a.m. Proceeds benefit Toys for Tots.

A pancake breakfast with Santa is scheduled from 9 a.m. – noon at the Sacred Heart Parish Hall, admission is $7 per person and children under four are $5. The festivities continue with the lighted parade winding through the streets of downtown starting at 6 p.m. To celebrate and honor frontline/essential workers, Jeniffer Faydenko assistant produce manager at GreenTree Grocery, will serve as the parade Grand Marshal. To complete the day, holiday fireworks viewed from downtown, will light up the sky after the parade.

Registration forms for the Jingle All-The-Way Kids Fun Run, 5 Mile Run and 5K Walk/Run, Winter Market Vendor Application, volunteer opportunities, and parade entry applications (due December 1) can be found at https://bit.ly/3k4Jw9B.

Ladies Day Out – Scheduled for November 13, 2021

Ladies Day Out is scheduled for Saturday, November 13, 2021 and is poised to be another great event in downtown Mt. Pleasant. And, a wonderful opportunity to conquer that holiday shopping list.

New name and updated logo. After 17 years, some alterations have been made to this popular event, prompting an updated logo and name. Since the event has transitioned from an evening event to an all-day shopping experience, what was once Ladies Night Out is now coined, Ladies Day Out. An updated logo also reflects this change.

Big prizes. Rather than smaller raffle prizes being distributed at the Broadway Theatre, attendees will have the opportunity to win $250, $500 or $1,000 in downtown gift certificates. Individuals can stop by the Downtown Development kiosk at Main and Broadway from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. to register to win these notable prizes.

Questions: Contact Downtown Development Director Michelle Sponseller at msponseller@mt-pleasant.org or (989) 779-5348.

Downtown Parking Lot Improvement Projects to Begin July 23

Beginning July 23, parking lot #6, located on Illinois Street between Main and University and parking lot #8, a permit lot located on Lansing Street between Broadway and Michigan will be closed due to reconstruction. Both lots will receive new pavement, curbs and gutters, drive approaches, sidewalk, a new storm sewer including an underground detention system as well as other amenities.

Permit holders are requested to park in lot #7, located at the NE corner of University and Illinois, behind Listening Ear and The Bird Bar and Grill or in lot #5, located at the SE corner of Michigan and Washington, behind the old Ward Theatre.

This project is expected to be completed by September 17.

Summary of Minutes of the Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – August 24, 2020

Summary of Minutes of the electronically conducted regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, August 24, 2020, at 7:00 p.m.

Representative of Michigan Department of Transportation Aeronautics gave a presentation on Mt. Pleasant Airport.

Downtown Development Director Sponseller gave a departmental presentation.

Received petitions and communications.

Approved the following items on the Consent Calendar:

1) Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held August 10, 2020.

2) Referred proposed ordinance to amend Table 154.405.A of the Mt. Pleasant Zoning Ordinance to update standards in the CD-3L, CD-3 and CD-4 zoning districts regarding residential housing standards to the Planning Commission for review and recommendation.

3) Authorized a one-year contract extension with Republic Services until December 31, 2024 for solid waste pick up.

4) Resolution setting fee for trash carts.

5) Warrants and Payrolls.

Approved the resolution temporarily permitting outdoor business activities as presented. (CC Exh. 10-2020)

Approved the appointment of Chris Saladine as acting City Clerk and Mary Ann Kornexl as Deputy City Clerk for the City of Mt. Pleasant.

Approved the appointment of Vice Mayor Amy Perschbacher as the voting delegate, representing the City of Mt. Pleasant at the Michigan Municipal League annual member’s meeting and appoint Mayor Will Joseph as the alternate.

Approved and conducted a closed session pursuant to subsection 8(c) of the Open Meetings Act for strategy and negotiation of a collective bargaining agreement.

Conducted a work session discussion on Airport Partners Agreement.

Adjourned the meeting at 9:14 p.m.

Mt. Pleasant’s 26th Annual Christmas Celebration Scheduled

Downtown Mt. Pleasant will be filled with holiday spirit at the annual Christmas Celebration slated for December 6 – 7, 2019. A community tradition for 26 years, this event offers a variety of activities for the whole family beginning with a sing-along and tree lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. on Friday at Town Center (Broadway and Main Streets.)

Saturday highlights include the Jingle All-The-Way 5K and 5 Mile Run starting at Max & Emily’s; registration begins at 7 a.m. A pancake breakfast with Santa is scheduled from 9 a.m. – 12 noon at the Sacred Heart Parish Hall, admission is $7 per person and children under four are $5. The festivities will conclude with the lighted parade which will wind through the streets of downtown starting at 6 p.m.

This year’s parade will host a contest for “Most Lights,” “Most Creative/Best Craftsmanship,” “Most Holiday Spirit,” and “Best in Show.” To participate in the parade, a completed application must be submitted to the Recreation Department at City Hall by December 4.

For a complete list of activities visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/551071875677259/

Nov. 16 is “Ladies’ Night Out” in downtown Mt. Pleasant

This year’s annual Ladies’ Night Out event will feature fantastic shopping opportunities and giveaways in downtown Mt. Pleasant while benefiting two local women’s organizations – the Women’s Initiative and R.I.S.E. Advocacy, Inc., formally known as Women’s Aid Service.

The event begins at 4 p.m. on November 16 at the Broadway Theatre. With a $5 donation at the door, ladies will enter the theatre for fun and an exciting raffle featuring prizes provided by local businesses. Once the giveaways are distributed, ladies can visit participating downtown businesses to take part in the countless in-store giveaways, promotions and specials.

A number of area businesses are also offering deals and discounts known as “Early Girl Specials” throughout the entire day. Visit the events calendar at www.facebook.com/downtownmp for the full list of these sales and specials.

Over the last 14 years, the Ladies’ Night Out event has raised more than $25,000 for the Women’s Initiative and R.I.S.E. Advocacy, Inc.

The Women’s Initiative Fund, initiated by the Mt. Pleasant Community Foundation, provides for the needs of women and girls in Isabella County by granting funds to local organizations that combat the issues more commonly faced by women, including single parenting, abuse, eating disorders and more. R.I.S.E. Advocacy, Inc. provides emergency shelter and crisis intervention for domestic violence victims, as well as counseling services and support groups for victims of violence. For more information about these organizations, visit their websites at www.mpacf.org and http://www.riseadvocacy.org

Art Reach of Mid-Michigan’s Paint the Intersection Event – Street Access and Closure Information

Art Reach of Mid Michigan is hosting its annual “Paint the Intersection” event on Saturday, June 1, 2019. This year, members of the Mt. Pleasant community will start painting two intersections at 10 a.m. The intersections are: Broadway and University; Broadway and Franklin.

The following streets will be closed or have limited access from 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. on June 1:

Broadway Street will be closed from Lansing Street west to the Grand Central Railroad.

Limited Access:

University Street from Michigan to Broadway.
Court Street from Michigan to Broadway.
Franklin Street from Michigan to Mosher.

All cars parked on the streets noted above must be moved by 3 a.m. on June 1 to avoid being towed.

Broadway Street reconstruction

The Broadway Street reconstruction project is currently slated to begin on May 13^th and conclude by June 28^th. During this time the road, portions of the storm sewer, sidewalk and curbing will be replaced between Main Street and the Grand Central Railroad (west of Mountain Town Station.)

Street and Sidewalk Closure Information

Broadway Street will be closed to all through traffic. A detour will route vehicular traffic from Main Street to Pickard Street to Harris Street. Access to businesses and City Hall along this route will be maintained the majority of the time. Sidewalk removal will take place along both sides of Broadway Street near the railroad crossing as well as the area between Main and Washington Streets. Pedestrian traffic will be limited.

Parking

Access to parking in the City Hall parking lot will be sporadic during construction. All other city parking lots will be open.

Alternative Parking Options

Island Park (Gate opens at 7 a.m. Please note the Farmers’ Market takes place every Thursday beginning June 6.)

Lot 12: South side of Broadway Street, access from Oak Street.

Lot 3: Town Center, access from Main Street.

Lot 10: In front of Riverview Apartments, access from Mosher Street.

Oak Street: Parallel parking on the west side of the street.

Pine Street: Parallel parking from Broadway to Michigan Street.

Washington Street: Parallel parking on both sides of the street.

Lot 2: Jockey Alley

City Hall

City Hall will remain open during construction and will always be accessible via Island Park and the Oak Street pedestrian bridge.

Utility Billing

During construction, city residents are encouraged to pay their utility bills online at http://www.mt-pleasant.org/residents/online_service_center/ or by mail.

Project Updates

Updated information will be provided on the City’s social media channels, newsletters, blog (mpcityblog.com,) as well as the Community Information Phone Line (989) 779-5320.