CHARLEVOIX -- It's been more than a year since work began on a major overhaul of Charlevoix's downtown marina and adjacent park and local folks want the construction done by summer tourism season.
A nearly $12 million renovation of the city's marina and East Park is set to be completed by the end of June, in time for the annual return of summer visitors to the resort town sandwiched between lakes Michigan and Charlevoix. Even the flower beds will be done, officials said.
"Everyone is just hoping it's on schedule. We all know we had to suffer for something better," said Terry Left, owner of several nearby businesses, including The Villager Pub and Great Lakes Whitefish and Chips.
Charlevoix financed $5.5 million for the project with the remainder from a state waterways grant and local contributions.
The marina upgrade increases the number of boat slips from 34 to more than 60 on four new piers, along with a new 900-foot seawall. Park improvements include a new marina building, a performance pavilion and an interactive water fountain.
Construction blocked public use of most of the park last summer, although the marina opened on a limited basis in July. The disruption kept some visitors away and certain businesses suffered.
"It just threw business off a little last summer," said Terry Amick, who owns the Subway restaurant directly across from the closed park.
Customers often buy a sandwich and go across the street to picnic in the park, so that walk-in business vanished, Amick said.
"It's been over a year there's been disturbance down here and I'm sure everybody in town, not just the downtown businesses, are anxious to see the completion of the park so we can enjoy our new facility," said Pat Elliott, the city's project manager.
Kirby Dipert owns Charlevoix Wear clothing store near the construction site, but he wasn't negatively affected by the yearlong park closure. But he does expect to see more people in town once the job is done.
"We're anxious to have it done. It's going to be tremendous," Dipert said. "Our park and marina were so antiquated."
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