NOTICE: SHORELINE ACTION COMMITTEE MEETING NOV. 13 @4 P.M.

The Shoreline Action Plan Committee will be meeting at the Government Center on Monday November 13, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.

NOTICE: SPECIAL PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING TO REVIEW DRAFT MASTER PLAN ON NOV. 16 @ 6 P.M.

The Planning Commission will be holding a special meeting to review the draft Master Plan on November 16, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. The meeting will take place at the Elk Rapids Government Center, 315 Bridge Street. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend – we are still seeking public input on this instrumental plan for our community’s future. Hope to see you there!

To view the packet, please CLICK HERE.

2023 BOARD & COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORTS

Village of Elk Rapids annual board & commission reports are now posted. You can view them by CLICKING HERE.

Thank you to all of our dedicated volunteers who serve and help in the community decision making process! We are grateful to work with so many kind, proactive, and thoughtful people on our boards and commissions.

If you are interested in joining a board or commission, there are several openings! Check out the homepage announcements on elkrapids.org for more info.

GOVERNMENT OFFICE CLOSED FOR VETERANS DAY

The Elk Rapids Government Center will be closed on Friday November 10, 2023 in observance of Veteran’s Day. Offices will reopen during regular hours on Monday November 13, 2023.

PUBLIC INPUT NEEDED: HARBOR VISIONING SESSION NOV. 14 @ 6:30 P.M.

The public is invited and encouraged to attend a community input session to help plan for the future of the Edward C. Grace Memorial Harbor. The Community engagement event will take place on Tuesday November 14, 2023 from 6:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Government Center, 315 Bridge Street. Please come out and join us!

CANCELLED – OCTOBER 25, 2023 DOWNTOWN AREA CITIZENS COUNCIL MEETING

The October 25, 2023 Downtown Area Citizens Council meeting has been cancelled. This is to create some more time for the TIF Plan draft to come together. The November 15, 2023 is scheduled as planned and there will be an additional meeting on December 12, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE: PROPOSED ORDINANCES 2023-03 & 2023-11

The Village of Elk Rapids Village Council will hold two public hearings at their regular meeting on Tuesday November 21, 2023, at the Governmental Center, 315 Bridge Street, at 7:00 p.m. The purpose of the public hearings is to consider and receive community input on:

1. Proposed Ordinance 2023-03: Zoning Compliance Permit Process – Amendment to §44-271 (Zoning Compliance Permits) & §44-274 (Site Plan Review Requirements) of the Code of Ordinances.

2. Proposed Ordinance 2023-11: Harbor Commission Membership – Amendment to §2-286 (Harbor Commission Established; Members; Compensation) of the Code of Ordinances.

The proposed ordinances can be found on the Village’s website, elkrapids.org or copies can be viewed during normal business hours at the Government Center.

Community members are invited to attend this hearing to speak either pro or con on these matters. Written comments can be directed to the Village of Elk Rapids, 315 Bridge Street, P.O. Box 398, Elk Rapids, MI 49629.

To review the proposed ordinances, please CLICK HERE.

NOTICE: DDA HIRING COMMITTEE MEETING NOVEMBER 6, 2023

The Elk Rapids DDA Hiring Committee will hold a meeting on November 6, 2023 at 1:30 p.m. at the Government Center, 315 Bridge Street. To view the agenda, please CLICK HERE.

NOTICE: DDA TIF PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING OCTOBER 17, 2023

The Downtown Development Authority TIF Planning Committee will be meeting Tuesday October 17, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at the Elk Rapids Government Center, 315 Bridge Street. To view the agenda, please CLICK HERE.

PRESS RELEASE: ELK RAPIDS DDA AWARDS FACADE GRANTS TO DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES

Elk Rapids Downtown Development Authority (DDA) awarded 6 facade grants at the October DDA meeting for the 2023 Facade award cycle totaling $22,430 to Foundry Craft & Grillery, GetADesign, Haystacks, Stuff & Such, Swim to You, and Traverse Bay Farms. Each business committed funds to match or exceed the DDA award, totaling $45,860 for façade improvements in the downtown area.

The facade improvements range from replacing windows/doors, addressing safety issues, adding signage, repairing masonry, replacing fabric awnings in keeping with the Village architectural look and character. The improvements are funded to encourage businesses to make lasting improvements to the business façade.

“The DDA is pleased to partner with our businesses to encourage private investment through the rehabilitation and improvement of façades within the DDA district, with a focus on supporting historic preservation practices,” explained DDA Chair Barbara Matthews. “By improving the appearance of the building façades, the program serves to support the economic viability of the DDA District. The DDA is excited to partner with businesses throughout the district to improve placemaking efforts and spur economic development opportunities in the Village.”

The DDA plans to offer a Spring funding cycle for Elk Rapids’ businesses who are interested in making facade improvements in the DDA District.

NOTICE: SHORELINE ASSESSMENT ACTION PLAN COMMITTEE MEETING OCTOBER 23, 2023 AT 4:00 PM

The Elk Rapids Shoreline Assessment Action Plan Committee will be meeting on Monday October 23, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. The meeting will take place at the Elk Rapids Government Center, 315 Bridge Street.

HARBOR SURVEY OPEN NOW UNTIL OCTOBER 31

The annual Edward C. Memorial Harbor survey is now live. All community members, boaters, and visitors are encouraged to submit responses. The information gathered will be used to review community insights, and this input will be presented at an upcoming community outreach meeting. The survey will be closing on October 31, 2023.

Thanks for sharing your feedback!

To access the survey, please CLICK HERE.

PUBLIC RESTROOMS CLOSING FOR THE SEASON

THE CEDAR STREET RESTROOM WILL REMAIN OPEN THROUGH THE WINTER.  ALL OTHERS WILL BE CLOSED UNTIL MEMORIAL WEEKEND, 2024.

NOTICE: COUNCIL WORKSHOP OCTOBER 17, 2023 @ 6 PM

The Elk Rapids Village Council will hold a workshop at 6:00 p.m., before the regular meeting, to discuss strategic goals. The meeting will take place at the Government Center. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.

UPDATED BOARD & COMMISSION APPLICATION – NOW INCLUDES HOUSING COALITION

The Village of Elk Rapids Board and Commission application now has an opportunity for interested citizens to apply to the Elk Rapids Housing Coalition. The Coalition will be exclusively operated for charitable purposes including, but not limited to, relieving all levels of year-round workforce or affordable housing shortages in the area of the Village of Elk Rapids.

If you would like to serve on this or any Elk Rapids board, please fill out the form and send it to Village Clerk Kaitlyn Szczypka at kszczypka@elkrapids.org. We appreciate all of our volunteers who help shape decisions in our community!

You can find the updated Board and Commission application by CLICKING HERE.

GOVERNMENT CENTER CLOSED MONDAY OCTOBER 9, 2023 FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ DAY

The Elk Rapids Government Center will be closed on Monday October 9, 2023 in observance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day. The Harbor Commission Meeting that was scheduled to take place on Monday will now be on Tuesday October 10, 2023. Regular hours will resume on Tuesday October 10, 2023.

PRESS RELEASE: AMES STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT RECEIVES $485,000 IN RAP 2.0 GRANT FUNDING

The Village of Elk Rapids has been awarded $485,000 for the Revitalization and Place Making (RAP) 2.0 grant through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) for the Ames Street Improvement Project. With the funding from the RAP 2.0 grant, the Village will finalize plans and get started on phase one of the Ames Street Improvement Project.

The Ames Street Improvements Plan is a multi-phased project designed to enhance economic development of the Ames Street Corridor, one of the most important commercial corridors in the Village of Elk Rapids. The Plan was developed based upon community feedback and calls for streetscaping and placemaking improvements, including accessibility improvements such as sidewalks on both sides of the street, bike lanes, and benches, safety improvements like increased lighting and crosswalks, and aesthetic improvements such as natural landscaping. This Plan is aimed at improving this vital economic corridor, which was adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Phase one of the Plan focuses on the US-31 crossing between Ames Street and Dexter Street, which will connect the Corridor to a route leading to the traditional downtown on River Street, as well as completing placemaking improvements along the commercial section of the Corridor from US-31 to Bass Street. Safety precautions and signage will be a priority for the highway crossing as a sidewalk system on the North side of Ames connects to this crossing. For the placemaking improvements, the focus will be on accessible sidewalks along the North side of Ames which will incentivize walkability and interactions with the local businesses in the Corridor. There will also be striped bike lanes along the entire length of the Corridor from US-31 to Wilder Road.

The total cost of phase one of the Plan is approximately $970,000. The Village of Elk Rapids requested $485,000 from the MEDC RAP 2.0 grant and will provide matching funds with $200,000 from the Elk Rapids Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and the remaining $285,000 coming from the Village of Elk Rapids. As of the current estimates, the three phases of the Plan are projected to cost just under $2,000,000 to complete.

“We are thrilled that our community was selected for this competitive grant,” said Village President Karen Simpson. “This funding will be the catalyst to connecting the Village’s two economic corridors and create a greater sense of place for Elk Rapids. We look forward to collaborating with the MEDC and other regional partners to complete this project.”

DRIVE SLOW ON YOUR WAY TO THE COMPACTOR OCTOBER 11 & 14, 2023

The Village of Elk Rapids will be conducting a biosolids haul at the Wastewater Treatment Plant within the next week – October 10 – 14. Trucks will be hauling this waste on Herman Road during this time. Please take note and drive slowly when going to the compactor to ensure safety.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: DDA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The Village of Elk Rapids Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Board of Directors is seeking a qualified, energetic part-time DDA Executive Director – $30 – $35 per hour DOQ. The Executive Director is the coordinator, administrator, and facilitator of the DDA’s activities and is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the DDA’s projects and programs and its Tax Increment Financing Plan. Essential job functions include marketing and communications, public relations, business and economic development, planning and priority management, and streetscape management. The Executive Director acts as a liaison between the property and business owners in all TIF district, Village government, community members, and the DDA Board of Directors. The Executive Director also provides a communication link between committees and other Village Boards and Commissions impacting development related activities in the DDA districts to synchronize downtown development, redevelopment and revitalization projects and programs. The Executive Director must devote enough part-time energies (10 – 15 hours per week), abilities, and talents to this position and must be available for work during established business hours. As a rule, the Executive Director should be present for promotional events and board meetings, many of which may occur during evenings or weekends.

Qualified candidates apply by 5 pm, October 23, 2023, by emailing a resume and cover letter to jmatthews@elkrapids.org. Details: https://elkrapids.org/employment-opportunities.

To view the job description, please CLICK HERE.

NOTICE OF ADOPTION: ORDINANCE 505 – LIGHTING IN THE VILLAGE

The Village of Elk Rapids ordains that a new ordinance, as text amendment to the Village of Elk Rapids Code of Ordinances, was duly adopted at the regular council meeting held on September 19, 2023, as follows:

1. Ordinance 505 – Lighting – Amendment to §44-228 – To amend lighting regulations within the village to provide regulations for LED Lighting and general updates to lighting regulations.

Effective Date: October 6, 2023

Copies are available at https://elkrapids.org and the Village Office at 315 Bridge Street, Elk Rapids, 49629. Office hours are Monday-Friday, 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.

To view the amended ordinance, please CLICK HERE.