Still on track for this summer
LAST WEEK’S STORM did minimal damage, at most, to Lakeshore Boulevard, according to city manager Mike Angeli.
The barricade of boulders recently installed along the shoreline apparently held up well against the pounding waves fueled by winds that topped 35 mph.
Now, about the future. The so-called “$12 million mile,” moving Lakeshore inland between Wright and Hawley, is still going to happen in spite of the COVID-19 crisis and the state shutdown.
“We’re on schedule,” Angeli says. “The bids have been awarded, and I expect they’ll get started on it when the weather allows.”
And what about the mandated shutdown (which may be eased on May 1st)? Angeli says the road project, regardless, will be exempted from any shutdown because 1) The grants for the project are time-sensitive. You lose them if you delay 2) The road is essentially gone. It needs to be replaced 3) The construction season here is short.
Angeli expects the project to be completed by the end of summer. It’ll include a little roundabout at Lakeshore and Wright, the new one mile inland road, along with a new bike bath, and a couple of new parking lots. And some further barricading of the shoreline.
Bad news for bicyclists: The current bike path between Wright and Hawley will be closed down this summer during the construction of the new road.
Still hard at work
NEARLY 13,000 MASKS.
That’s how many have been made so far by the grassroots group “Masks for Marquette.” Astonishing, and they’re still at it, sewing the masks and installing the nose pieces which were also created by local volunteers and businesses.
Five thousand more masks were picked up last week. They’ll be delivered to the hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, police and EMT’s, and to essential workers–our grocery and hardware clerks, gas station attendants.
“It’s been amazing,” says realtor Sally Steen who helped start the group a month ago and has been busy with it ever since. “It speaks to our community. We want to help. If something needs to be done, we get it done.”
The original goal was 10,000 masks. Now they’re working toward 20,000.
They’ve been able to buy the materials for the masks through a gofundme site that’s so far raised $15,000 from more than 200 donors.
The complete list of what’s open now…and an uncertain future
WHILE WE WAIT to see which, if any, businesses will be allowed to open next month, Travel Marquette has been doing an outstanding job informing us who’s still open while most of us are still stuck at home.
The site lists both the essential businesses and the restaurants–which, of course, are able to offer only takeout and delivery business.
The entire staff of Travel Marquette is working from home at this point, trying to make plans for the upcoming tourist season.
“It’s an understatement to say things are fluid,” says executive director Susan Estler. “We’re just waiting to see how the situation will be handled by the state and health officials.”
They’ve pulled the plug on most digital and print ads.
And they’re wondering–like all of us–will there actually be a tourist season this year?
LOOKING FOR MORE diversions for your family during the shutdown? Tired of Netflix, puzzles, eating, drinking, reading, walking the dog, listening to your complaining kids, and staring off into space?
The 906 Adventure Team has come up with something new. The Adventure Bingo Club.
Download the card and then proceed to fill it out by performing a series of tasks such as…jog for 90 minutes…do jumping jacks…push your bike up a hill…take a selfie while watching a sunset…prepare a nutritious meal for your family and eat it outside…and watch a documentary about an outdoor adventure.
Plenty more. Clearly, they’re varied.
“It’s a way to stay connected with friends and family,” says 906 Adventure Club executive director Todd Poquette.
It seems geared toward kids but adults and the entire family can take part. New bingo cards every two weeks.
When you complete a line on the Bingo card–or the entire card–take a picture of it, send it in to the 906 Adventure Team and you’ll get a sticker.
Okay, not a sensational prize, but there is the sense of accomplishment that comes with it, and it’s a way to keep the kids busy and help them chase away the COVID-19 blues.