Downtown Sparta Construction Clip by www.positivelymichigan.net

Downtown Business Coupons: Detour to Downtown Sparta!

Visit the Downtown Businesses to great Construction Sales & Specials!  Click Detour Ads to find the savings!

June 6: Downtown Sparta Customer Appreciation Event!

Downtown Sparta is feeling the excitement of progress in the 2009 Streetscape construction that is currently underway.  Throughout all the street detours, large dirt piles, and loud equipment, the downtown businesses are all grateful for the loyal customers that continue to visit their shops everyday.  Even with all the inconveniences of the construction, the business owners are excited to see the changes happening everyday in Downtown Sparta.  To show their appreciation to their customers, downtown Sparta businesses are hosting a Downtown Sparta Customer Appreciation Day on Saturday, June 6 from 10 am to Noon.  Businesses will be handing out coupons, free food and games, and chances to win prizes! 

Between now and June 6, visit local downtown businesses as part of the Detour to Downtown Sparta Shines 2009 Event! 

 Thank you for continuing to support Downtown Sparta businesses during the major construction project.  Local businesses stimulate our local economy, provide local employment, and support local service organizations.  Next time you are shopping, remember to Shop Local, Shop Sparta!

Be a Sparta Spy… Ask your Merchant’s Why!

 Your Mission, should you choose to accept: become a Sparta Spy.  Visit a downtown Sparta merchant and pick up a Decoding Device.  Within the device there are puzzles to solve. Once solved, you will visit the Merchant Location that the answer directs you. Once you’re through the doors of the Merchant Location, ask for the “Stamp Keeper”.  They will acknowledge the completion of your mission.  You must have your Decoding Device with you so they can verify the completion of your Mission.  Continue this through the month of May until all Codes are solved and verified.  To certify you are officially a Sparta Spy, take your Decoding Device and trade it in for a drawing ticket at Sparta Township Carnegie Library or to Sparta Village Hall. 

 Tickets will be drawn on Saturday, June 6 for prizes during the Downtown Sparta Customer Appreciation Event.  The Sparta Spy Mission is to encourage the community to visit the downtown businesses during the construction, see the progress, and celebrate downtown Sparta! 

BE A SPARTA STREETSCAPE SPY Booklet! ! (Legal Size Paper fits best)

Photos of Downtown Sparta Construction:

Dollar N More keeping a positive attitude by participating with the project

Downtown Sparta Crosswalks poured at Union & Division

The process of building pedestrian friendly crosswalks

Downtown Sparta Businesses Staying Positive during Construction!

 Through the orange barrels, closed sidewalks, and LARGE piles of gravel, the Downtown Sparta Businesses can see the light at the end of the tunnel, and are keeping a positive attitude through it all. Dollar N More owner Phil Potter uses the construction project to show that a big pile of dirt isn’t holding their business back. Instead, Dollar N More is taking the opportunity to showcase his products and his good humor about the project. People are stopping by the store to see what the display means and to congratulate him on the creativity and positive attitude about the project. The sign that says, “New Downtown Landscaping Courtesy of Dollar N More…Located behind this pile of dirt!” refers to the colorful flags, flowers, and wind chimes artfully placed on the large pile of dirt. Construction can be difficult on businesses as customers may find alternate locations to shop during the construction or simply avoid the area all together. Downtown Sparta Businesses are working together to let their customers know they appreciate their continued business during the construction season and appreciate their support. “We’re all in it together”, is the attitude of these businesses who are excited for the end result of the project, expected in early July. Take a moment to visit downtown Sparta to see the construction equipment and progress of the project.  

Other Media Releases:

Sparta Streetscape Awarded Federal Grant

Sprucing Up Sparta

Shaping up Downtown Sparta

Business Information:

Sparta Streetscape Tool Kit 2009 (condensed) for local businesses to understand the construction timeline

Thanks to a matching federal Transportation Enhancement Grant administered by the Michigan Department of Transportation, Downtown Sparta will begin a Streetscape Project in April. This project is an initiative of the Downtown Development Authority in partnership with the Village of Sparta. Sparta is one of only seven municipalities in Michigan to receive the grant in 2009. With $376,500 in Transportation Enhancement Grant funds, the improvements include pedestrian safety measures including brick crosswalks and lighting, benches, trees, shrubs, and landscaping in an effort to slow traffic down. Project limits are on Division Avenue from State Street to the Nash Creek Bridge and along N. Union. Additional funding is through Kent County, Sparta DDA, and the Village of Sparta.

For a few years, the DDA and Village have been budgeting funds in anticipation of this project, which means taxes will not be increased and special assessments will not happen for this project. The DDA captures a percentage of tax dollars from the taxing jurisdictions on specific DDA parcels as passed by State Legislation to work on development projects. The project is anticipated for competition in early July.

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