Prison workers from Kinross continue work on the front of the Museum of Ojibwa Culture in St. Ignace. A new walkway and landscaping are hoped to be completed for the summer months. Members of the St. Ignace Downtown Development Authority (DDA) received an update on the progress of the Museum of Ojibwa Culture restoration project by museum manager Shirley Sorrels Friday, May 8.

A crew of prison workers from Kinross has got the project to its current point, Mrs. Sorrels said.

A deck has been constructed by the crew in front of the building and work continues in removing what DDA Chairman Gene Elmer said is about 25 coats of paint on the exterior of the building. A walkway and landscaping are hoped to be finished for the summer months, Mrs. Sorrels said.

Workers tried using a professional steamer for the first time Wednesday and Mrs. Sorrels reported that they would try using chemical paint removers, as well.

"It seems to be working, but it's a tedious process," she said. "When you're working within the historic preservation guidelines, it does take longer."

Under advice from Frank Pompa, a historic preservation specialist and Mackinac Island cottage owner who volunteers his time to help with the museum project, all exterior paint will be removed down to bare wood before the building is repainted.

Mrs. Sorrels submitted a written request to Sherwin Williams paints' corporate office for donations of four paint products to use on the exterior. Mr. Elmer said he will contact the company's office soon to check on the progress of the request.

DDA Director Deb Evashevski suggested printing banners to identify the museum during the project, and they are expected to be completed before Memorial Day weekend.

Owing to what Mrs. Sorrels said was a shortage of state funding for the arts and the denial of an application for stimulus bill funding, she suggested exploring the idea of resubmitting the museum project for federal funding as a priority city project. She also suggested the board explore forming a three-way alliance with the the Fort De Buade Museum and the museum at St. Anne's Catholic Church on Mackinac Island to request funding as a single unit. No board action was taken on the suggestions.

She also presented the board with two publications in which the museum is mentioned, the Michigan Travel Ideas magazine and Grandparents: Michigan Style, a travel guidebook.

"We got a two-page spread in the Grandparents guide, so I was pleased about that," Mrs. Sorrels said.

DDA Discusses Possible

Budget Shortfall

Mr. Elmer reported to the board that this year's DDA budget may lose about $10,000 owing to decreased tax revenues following an updated downtown commercial assessment, although after further investigation, Mrs. Evashevski reported the amount is closer to $16,000.

Mrs. Evashevski said she is worried the board won't be able to accomplish everything it wants to, because of a lack of funds.

The board discussed, as a possible solution, postponing downtown tree replacement, some of which are currently ash trees prone to difficulties with the Emerald Ash Borer.

Mr. Elmer and Mrs. Evashevski agreed that double-checking the tax figures would be necessary before making any definite decisions about changes to the budget.

Board Announces New

Renter in Chamber Building

The board received an update about Brandon Postma, a renter who has moved into an office of the Chamber of Commerce building, which is owned by the city. Mr. Postma operates a business there.

His rent, which is $325 per month, will help mitigate any utility costs for the building paid by the city, Mrs. Evashevski said.

The Chamber will receive $50 of the rent month, since Mr. Postma is taking up some of its former office space.

New Banners, Restaurant

Signs Unveiled

The new downtown banners as well as the tent sign holders for restaurants were presented to the board during the meeting. These banners, which are expected to be up before Memorial Day, announce the following local events and attractions: the Bayside Music Festival, area museums, weekly farmers markets, weekly fireworks, and the boardwalk.

Mrs. Evashevski said 700 event signs are in production to place in tent sign holders on tables in area restaurants.

A new set of red letters is being purchased at $700 for the St. Ignace signboard, to help readers distinguish between events by using both the new letters and the current black letters.