Kalamazoo Riverfront Garden & Launch looks for crowdfunding, state matching funds

The Michigan Economic Development Corp. has a program to encourage the development of unique gathering places across the state.

The Kalamazoo River has 400 feet of accessible riverfront that has not been open to the public for decades.

The two are making a match in a new crowdfunding campaign that would create a canoe and kayak launch, a covered stage for live music, ecologically sound landscaping, an outdoor fire pit, a shuffleboard court, a disc golf putting green, an outdoor kitchen, and more.

Tim Suprise, founder and president of Arcadia Ales, made a successful application to the Public Spaces Community Places program seeking a chance to pursue crowdfunding for Riverfront Garden & Launch. The goal is $95,000 raised through crowdfunding and matching funds from the MEDC. The community has till June 5 to raise the funds to get a $95,000 matching grant from MEDC. (Whatever is raised in that time will be matched.)

Suprise would oversee development of the property as the second phase of the project that started with the construction of Arcadia Ales where M-43 and Business Loop I-94 intersect at the Kalamazoo River, in an area known as River's Edge.

Here's an excerpt of the Kalamazoo project as described on Patronicity: "Our kayak and canoe launch will provide outdoor enthusiasts direct access to Downtown Kalamazoo with a safe place to rack their equipment while they visit our many local businesses. Our stage, gaming, and kitchen areas will provide a unique space for organizations within our community to host events, meet-ups, or regular gatherings. Bring your dog, find a spot in the sunshine, and let the riverfront and garden be your office for the day. Meet up with your book club around the council fire pit. Enjoy a snack with fresh ingredients from the raised gardens maintained by local schools and community groups. End your ride on the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail watching the stunning sunsets over the Kalamazoo River." 

The $95,000 goal for Kalamazoo's Riverfront Garden & Launch is the most ambitious so far in the Public Spaces Community Places initiative. Previously, the most sought through the crowdfunding platform has been a project in Ypsilanti hoping to make a $50,000 match (they raised $56,000). Other communities have used the matching funds program to fill the gaps on projects that just needed small amounts in order to reach completion. 

Public Spaces Community Places is a collaborative effort of MEDC, the Michigan Municipal League, and Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity. It is the first program of its kind in the country through which local residents can be part of the development of transformational projects in their communities and be backed with a matching grant from MEDC. Communities, nonprofits and other business entities can submit projects and apply for a crowdfunding campaign.

The program initiated in July 2014 by MEDC started with $720,000 to be given out in matching funds. It will continue to make the funds available until they are gone.

Suprise says he and others will be working to get the word out by all possible means, such as social media and through talking to other businesses. "We will engage with all our partners," Surpise says.

He also says he is excited about the project that will reclaim a part of the Kalamazoo River that has "suffered for decades." And he's proud to be a steward of the only accessible 400 feet stretching along the Kalamazoo River.

For more of the project, click here.

Sources: Tim Suprise, Arcadia Ales; Nathan Pilon, MEDC