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The vast majority of the Lakeshore Drive project has been completed. Beyond some minor touches to complete the look of the area, the former site of the downtown parking deck has opened. This morning Houghton gathered city officials, business leaders in the area, and residents to cut the ribbon on the waterway walkway. The site features continuous rain gardens along the ramping walkway, as well as an adjacent staircase to the west side.
“There’s a lot of thank yous to go around. And that’s mainly what I wanted to do today. First I want to thank the MEDC for believing in us, and this project. They put some extra money toward this project, that we didn’t have. So we didn’t have just a patched up demolition site, but rather a contributing part of our downtown right now.” – Eric Waara, City Manager, City of Houghton
The location of the walkway was the former entrance to the upper level of the parking deck across from Pewabic Street. Before the parking deck’s demolition, some businesses along Shelden Avenue had outdoor seating on the deck. The new walkway leads to an open view of the Portage Canal and Portage Lake Lift Bridge. In springtime plants and flowers will blossom in the rain gardens along the walkway.
