Arcadia 2019

Project background and rationale

Michigan is home to more than 100 public marinas and harbors, managed by state, county, or local governments. They are part of a boating culture that draws $2.4 billion in economic activity to the state each year.

The goal of the Arcadia Sustainable Harbors Initiative is to facilitate the development of long-term, sustainable strategies that enable Michigan’s Great Lakes coastal communities to maximize the benefits of their harbors and waterfront. Coastal communities face multiple challenges such as increasingly scarce state and federal funding as well as fluctuating water levels, increased storm volatility, flooding, and erosion. Signage, access, and connectivity to other community nodes are also challenges. This project addresses these challenges.

Design charrette resources

Attendees voiced their opinions on the future of the Arcadia waterfront. Community members helped identify assets linked to existing or potential public waterfront uses and/or facilities.

• Arcadia Charrette Introduction Presentation (PDF)
• Arcadia Harbor Vision 2040 Final Summary (PDF)

Agenda of public events

Phase 1 – Research, outreach, charrette preparation

July – September 2019

• Gather existing documents, make presentations to local commissions, host facilitated focus groups, and plan for the charrette.

Phase 2 – Charrette process

Host community engagement meetings at the Pleasant Valley Community Center, 3586 Glovers Lake Rd, Arcadia, MI.

• Thursday, October 10, 2019, 6 – 8 p.m.
  Public Input Workshop
• Saturday, October 12, 2019, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
  Public Session for Community Input

Phase 3 – Post-charrette

November 2019 – January 2020

• TBD

February 2020 – March 2020

• TBD

In The News

• Shoring up Arcadia: Lakeside community considers waterfront development, Manistee News, October 14, 2019

Community photos

• Arcadia Charrette Flickr Album

Arcadia Harbor Visioning Charrette

To assist Arcadia in creating a shared harbor plan, Environment, Great Lakes and Energy – State of Michigan (EGLE), Michigan State University Extension, Michigan Sea Grant, and partners are organizing a Arcadia visioning charrette. These community meetings and discussions will culminate in a clear, shared vision for the Arcadia harbor that reflects the entire harbor community.

This vision is important for the community and its future because it is constructed by all affected parties and is a compilation of everyone’s ideas and voices. The implementation of this shared vision will increase public confidence, participation, and support in the community as well as economic, cultural, social, and environmental community sustainability, adding value to the harbor.

What is a charrette?

A design charrette is a facilitated planning process that is open to the public. Participants offer ideas for amenities and improvements they feel would generate more waterfront activity and improve their community. The Arcadia Charrette process will include multiple visits to the community including an initial visioning meeting, a multi-day series of public design sessions where the project team facilitates community discussion and stakeholder meetings, and a final presentation to the community.

The projected outcome of the Charrette is that the community, stakeholders, and local units of government will have worked together to create a strategy for implementing a shared harbor vision that will lead to a vibrant and prosperous community.