The first of 16 directory signs being installed around St. Ignace was put in place at the boat launch Friday, August 15. The signs are a Downtown Development Authority project led by Director Deb Evashevski (right). Sam Staffan of Mackinaw Art and Sign in Mackinaw City, pictured with Mrs. Evashevski, produced the signs for the city. Signs designed to help visitors make their way around the St. Ignace shopping area with a map that points out areas of interest, lists businesses and locations, and includes several photographs depicting year-around community activities were installed in 16 locations over the last few days. The signs were displayed at the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) meeting Friday, August 15.

After more than a year of planning, the signs were installed along State Street, the waterfront boardwalk, parks, ferry line locations, the marina, museum, and the boat launch.

The DDA budgeted $10,000, estimating each sign would cost about $1,000. This spring, when the board met, new locations were added, increasing the project cost to about $16,000.

The boardwalk has gotten more use this summer, said DDA Director Deb Evashevski, and the signs should help lead visitors to State Street retail stores and restaurants.

The project was originally expected to be finished in 2007.

"There is a lot of hidden hours into a project like this," said Sam Staffan of Mackinaw Art and Sign in Mackinaw City, who produced the signs. "That's why they took so long."

The aluminum framed and powder coated signs, he said, are built not to rust if they are chipped.

The signs are designed to be changeable, and updates probably will be made every one or two years.

A new brick walkway and swings could be added to American Legion Park this fall, said Mrs. Evashevski, if a grant is awarded for the project.

A $60,000 match grant that focuses on neighborhood preservation was presented to the board by Lori Pieri, executive director of Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME) of Mackinac County. The grant, said Mrs. Pieri, is designed for organizations like HOME and it also fits the city's need. HOME has built 14 houses in three neighborhoods within the city in the past seven years. Improvements and updates made to the park, she said, would enhance those neighborhoods.

In July, the DDA began working on developing a five-year plan for downtown upgrades, including at the park.

The board agreed to partner with HOME in seeking the grant. HOME now will make application for the funds. The DDA will contribute $13,500 to the project and the Department of Public Works would contribute $6,500 in labor. If the grant is awarded, it would make about $85,000 available for work at the park.

The grant will be awarded in September.

Plans call to replace a limestone path, which is difficult to navigate for strollers and wheelchairs, with brick, and extend the walkway for $30,000 in grant funds, with the city's contribution at $5,000. Swings would be added to the north side of the playground for $10,000 in grant funs, with the city's match of $3,570. All 20 low level lights at the park, some of which have been vandalized, would be replaced with a new lighting system of $13,000 in grant money, with the city's match at $5,000. Upgrades would be made to the landscaping, planted in 1994, that no longer fits the needs of the park and sprinklers would be added to maintain the lawn with grant money of $12,000, with the city match at $6,620. Administrative fees of $5,000 would be covered as a match from the DDA.

The Neighborhood Preservation Initiative Challenge Grant is offered by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. Statewide, $1 million is available through the program with a maximum $60,000 per application.

The DDA next meets Friday, September 12, at 8 a.m. at city hall.