Bay City, Michigan – in the sweet spot of new urbanism

Fireworks Festival – Source: historicwebsterhouse.com/things-to-do.htm

From what this urban planner can tell, downtown Bay City, Michigan is, or is on the verge of becoming one of the hottest redevelopment markets in the state. The list of on-going and already accomplished projects is impressive for a city of 35,000. Combined these with a great riverside and bayfront location, world class events like the Tall Ships Celebration  and Fireworks Festival, as well as a healthy inventory of preserved/remaining historic properties, downtown Bay City appears to be sitting right in the sweet spot of new urbanism and downtown revival.

Source: pinterest.com

Here’s a sampling of exciting projects taking place in the hometown heart of Michigan Sugar.

Source: mlive.com

Kresge Building  (above) – probably the most handsome one in the country – now home to Outdoor Adventures, Inc.

Source: mlive.com

Times Lofts (above)

Source: mlive.com

The Legacy of Bay City (above)

Below is a view of the rather ugly 1960s facade being removed for restoration of this gorgeous building.

Crapo Building being resored to the Legacy – Source: mlive.com

Source: wnem.com

Uptown Bay City (above)

2013 Placemaking, Access, & Redevelopment Plan 

Kudos to all those good folks from the Bay City Region and elsewhere who are invested and investing in this fine city. Your accomplishments to date are impressive and the goals for the future look exciting and bright.