A ribbon cutting to inaugurate the newly constructed walkway between Jaspare’s Pizza and Aaron’s Music Store was attended by community members in November, just before cold weather blew in to town. Shown in the ribbon cutting ceremony are from left to right: Bill Adams, village president; Brian Pitts, chamber president; Bill Oswalt, Vicksburg Foundation president; Jim Mallery, village manager; Ted Vliek, Visions Campaign co-chair; Dave Reno, Lions Club president; John DeBault, DDA president; and Kristina Powers Aubry, Vision Campaign co-chair.
The $100,000 renovation of the alley that faces across the street to Liberty Lane West, was borne by donors through a crowd-funding effort. It was sponsored by the Downtown Development Authority and the State of Michigan’s Economic Development Corporation. Local donors gave $50,000 and MEDC matched that amount.
The pedestrian pathway connects the downtown district from Michigan Street to Kalamazoo Avenue as a walking corridor in the heart of the central business district. “The project has turned a dark, rundown alley into a vibrant pedestrian only garden pathway with outdoor seating to compliment the downtown 1880s Italianate architecture,” said Kathleen Hoyle , DDA director. “Liberty Lane East will unify our two shopping and dining areas into one cohesive district and provide a gateway connecting our parking areas.”