Community Foundation of St. Clair County launches crowdfunding campaign for new Plaza Park at St. Clair Plaza Courtyard

$62,500 goal to secure matching grant through MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places initiative

Lansing, Mich. – The Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the Community Foundation of St. Clair County today announced a new crowdfunding campaign through Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity. The campaign will support the creation of a new city center at the St. Clair Plaza Courtyard.

“We are pleased to partner with the Community Foundation to help transform the St. Clair Plaza and create a new public space that will bring people, new businesses, and new development downtown,” said MEDC Community Assistance Team Specialist Nate Scramlin. 

If the St. Clair Plaza Park attains its crowdfunding goal of $62,500 by May 1, MEDC will provide a $62,500 matching grant. For project details and to donate, please visit: https://www.patronicity.com/project/st_clair_plaza_park. 

“The Community Foundation was thrilled to be chosen as a participant in the MEDC Public Spaces Community Places initiative. It gives everyone in our community the opportunity to participate in the transformation of downtown St. Clair,” said Vice President of the Community Foundation of St. Clair County Lynn Griffor. 

The Plaza Park project will utilize the current space of the run-down, abandoned courtyard at the St. Clair Plaza. The Plaza Park will feature outdoor seating, areas to enjoy music or theatrical performances, public art, and amenities such as fireplaces, water fountains, and a winter ice rink. The creation of this park will result in a positive impact on the St. Clair Plaza, encouraging further development within. 

The $625,000 Plaza Park project has already secured $500,000 through the St. Clair Endowment Funds. Those funds have been used in 2014 for the excavation and infrastructure of the future park. The remaining $125,000 will be for the additional amenities Plaza Park will offer guests.

“What’s really exciting about this project is they are so close to meeting their fundraising goal and this crowdfunding effort, if successful, will get them there,” said Dan Gilmartin, executive director and CEO of the Michigan Municipal League. “It’s great to see communities like St. Clair recognizing their community assets and revitalizing them into something that residents will love.”

Public Spaces Community Places is a collaborative effort of the MEDC, the Michigan Municipal League, and Patronicity where local residents can use crowdfunding to be part of the development of strategic projects in their communities and be backed with a matching grant from MEDC. Communities, non-profits and other business entities can apply at https://patronicity.com/puremichigan. 

Pure Michigan is a brand representing business, talent and tourism initiatives across Michigan. These efforts are driven by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, which serves as the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business growth, jobs and opportunity with a focus on helping grow Michigan’s economy.

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.