The City of Watervliet, in collaboration with the Watervliet Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and Cornerstone Alliance, on Thursday celebrated the grand opening of a public gathering space called Main Street Oasis.
According to an announcement from Cornerstone, “Strategically located at the heart of Watervliet, Main Street Oasis provides a welcoming space for the community, live music, and food trucks and fosters a sense of togetherness, further enhancing the downtown experience for residents and visitors alike. At the groundbreaking, the residents and guests shared their excitement and took part in a community celebration following a ribbon-cutting ceremony”.
Mayor Deah Muth expressed her enthusiasm for the community-driven project, saying, “Main Street Oasis is a testament to the spirit of collaboration and innovation in Watervliet. We are excited to offer our residents and visitors a unique gathering space that will foster a stronger sense of community pride and create unforgettable memories.”
The park’s design encompasses a ‘thoughtfully curated environment’, incorporating attractive landscaping, comfortable seating areas, and an open stage for live music performances. Main Street Oasis will serve as a versatile venue for local artists and musicians to showcase their talents and provide a platform for creativity and cultural expression.
Cornerstone Alliance, Berrien County’s economic development organization, was instrumental in connecting the city of Watervliet to the ‘Public Spaces Community Places’ initiative led by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), which matched the city’s crowdfunding campaign dollar-for-dollar.
“The Main Street Oasis aligns perfectly with our mission to create vibrant communities,” said Andrew Haan, Director of Business Development at Cornerstone Alliance. “By providing a dynamic space for social gatherings and entertainment this project will undoubtedly contribute to the ongoing success and prosperity of Watervliet. “This project is one of many similar enhancements planned for Berrien County,” he added.
For more information about Main Street Oasis, visit www.watervliet.org
