Join the Third Street 'Promenade'

December 16, 2008
Muskegon Chronicle
Editorial

Muskegon's Third Street is a work in progress. Better yet, these days, it's making progress.

Recently, Mike and Kay Olthoff, the owners of Nichols Paper -- a Muskegon paper and cleaning supply distributor -- donated $100,000 as a lead gift for the Third Street Promenade, conceived as part of the 2004 public-led Imagine Muskegon planning process for the redevelopment of downtown Muskegon. It's to be a linear public plaza along the east side of Third Street from Clay to Morris avenues.

The couple's "naming gift" will allow for a public stage between the Sidock Building and Baker College of Muskegon Michigan Culinary Institute. The stage will allow for everything from musical performances to lunch-time lectures and discussions. Other gifts include $25,000 from the Alcoa Foundation and $50,000 in downtown beautification funds from the Eunice Nash Bush Fund and Alta Daetz Fund of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County.

These are just among a few of the private sector contributors and the individuals who are helping Third Street. Yet you, too, can help. Donations for the project, if sent to the community foundation before the end of the year, can be taken as tax deductions for 2008. Join the "promenade!"