The grand opening has been held for the new Canal Commons, a public plaza now built between the Benton Harbor shipping canal and Emma Jean Hull Flats at 170 Riverview Drive.
Cornerstone Alliance spearheaded the project to help further develop the waterfront and provide residents with a new gathering space. Cornerstone’s Andrew Haan told us it feels great to see this vision come to reality.
“We see a future where we could have one of the best waterfronts in all the Great Lakes here,” Haan said. “This space was really designed to be a demonstration project too, where we looked at aspirational examples from communities across the country and even some overseas for what really progressive places are doing to activate their waterfront public spaces.”
Canal Commons consists of 600 feet of waterfront, seating, shade, an area for games, and a connection to St. Joseph via the nearby pedestrian bridge over the Paw Paw River. There will also be a dock, which is still under construction. Haan says it’s been an exciting time to sprint across the finish line and invite guests to the plaza for the grand opening.
“We got some stuff done earlier this summer and it sat idle for a little bit and seeing the pavers go in, the rest of the concrete, the furnishings, the plantings were kind of the cherry on top of the sundae over the last couple days.”
The new Canal Commons was supported with $1 million in funding from the MEDC and additional support from Harbor Shores, the Whirlpool Foundation, and the city of Benton Harbor. In fact, it’s on property owned by Harbor Shores, which will take care of its maintenance.
Everyone can now go and use the new space, and Haan says those with ideas for events that could be held there should contact Cornerstone Alliance.
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