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Buchanan Unveils Mill Alley Design Contest

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Travelers of the Red Bud Trail in Michigan's Great Southwest often find themselves standing in awe of the famous Pears Mill in the community of Buchanan. It's an historic site that draws a steady stream of tourists and now the City of Buchanan's Downtown Development Authority wants to give it even more prominence through development of Mill Alley.

Mill Alley originated 160 years ago, around 1856, and served as a thoroughfare from Front Street to Pears Mill, where farmers could bring their grain crops to be ground. Around the turn of the century, that use was abandoned and a movie theater was constructed on that site. The movie theater ended up being demolished in 1990 and a year later the city actually bricked up the alley and installed planters along the east and west perimeter. 

Now, the Downtown Development Authority is of the opinion that the current appearance of Mill Alley is "unacceptable," and they are seeking creative ideas for its rebirth as a place where people want to be…where many types of activities can take place…and where the alley can also function as a visual connector to Pears Mill and the Common.

The DDA has joined hands with Wheatberry Restaurant and the Berrien County Record Newspaper to sponsor a Design Contest to invite area artists, designers, architects, and engineers to create a design for Mill Alley that respects the historic character and function of the alley and will accomplish the project goals. The stated goals include:
 

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  • Create a space where people can be engaged in a variety of activities…
  • Remove the existing planters and repair adjacent buildings…
  • Make the alley ADA accessible from both Front Street and the Common…
  • Establish a visual connection from Front Street to the Mill and Common…

Design Contest Packets became available on February 9th and completed designs are required to be submitted to the DDA no later than 5pm on Tuesday, March 22, 2016. Packets may be obtained from Debra Patzer, the DDA Executive Director either at City Hall at 302 N. Redbud Trail in Buchanan or electronically at dpatzer@cityofbuchanan.com. 

All designs submitted shall become the property of the DDA. The designs will be displayed at City Hall and judged by a panel of judges as well as the public. The first place winner will receive $500, the second place winner will receive $250. and the third place winner will receive an honorable mention. Winners will be announced at the Wednesday, April 13, 2016 DDA meeting, which will be held at 6:30pm at City Hall. The winners, with their designs, will be recognized and published in the Berrien County Record

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