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DowntowngrowthBy WILL ANDRESENIronwood Community Development DirectorThe Downtown Ironwood Development Authority played a very large, yet quiet role in the location of the new Book World store in downtown Ironwood.Owners of Book World were interested in the former Mrofchak Building for their new store, but were concerned about an abandoned fuel tank in the rear alley. With an innovative package proposed by Faith Newberry and Robert Butler, the DIDA assisted in the removal of the tank.This was the final step necessary to attract the company to the downtown area. Once the tank was removed, with assistance from Coleman Engineering, the building was ready for renovations. The new store now serves as an excellent anchor for the downtown.Another successful project completed by the DIDA and the Ironwood City Commission was the sale of the former convenience center to house Chief Oil Company. Not only did this action clean up this comer, but the funds from the sale of the building were used in the demolition of abandoned downtown buildings.The DIDA and city were also involved in the acquisition of the lot formerly occupied by the S L building. Once needed wall repairs are complete, a pocket parkThe DIDA and city were also involved in the acquisition of the lot formerly occupied by the S L building. Once needed wall repaint are complete, a pocket park will be built in this very visible downtown location. Committee members working diligently on this effort include l^ori I^ahti, Jerry Kinnunen and Floyd PowelLMichigan Is Nowwill be built in this very visible downtown location. Committee members working diligently on this effort include Lori Lahti, Jerry Kinnunen and Floyd Powell.The DIDA was also instrumental in promoting the Jack Frost Festival and Parade. The brainchild of Mary Powell in 1995 has turned into a true community event. The Jack Frost Parade is a unique, winter, under the stars, night-time parade. The event grows bigger and better everyyear.The competition for the coveted “People’s Choice award gets tougher each year The infamousSnow Shovel Drill Team took the honors the first year, whileLindquist Electric took the award home the second year. This past year the award was won by Paul Buchkow and his giant snowman.Parade marshals in 1995 were the Hurley Midget Football Team, while the state champion Ironwood High School Girls Cross-Country Team marshalled the parade in 1996. This year, we were honored with a showing' • . i ' v ' ' I ^ . t *from both the Luther L. Wright Accent Group and Hurley High School’s Silver Express.The Jack Frost Parade is sponsored by the Ironwood Chamber of Commerce and the City of Ironwood. Committee members include Mary Powell, Will Andre-sen, Gary Kusz and Joe Cayer. The parade line-up committee was headed by Jim Sertich, with assistance from Clyde Gasparick, Chris Bergquist, Gary Mecum, Steve and Joy Karasti, Bob and Kathy Krklev, Jerry Knnunen and Mananne Andresen.Others assisting in the event include the Ironwood Volunteer Fire Department, U.S. Forest Service, Business and Professional Women's Club, MFC First* b *.•* ..*National Bank, First of America Bank, Lahti's Inc., City of Ironwood, the National Guard, the 4-11, Gogebic Range Band, Historic Ironwood Theatre, numerous downtown and highway businesses and Santa.DIDA memebers include Floyd Powell, Bob Paquin, Lori Lahti, Clyde Gaspanck, Gerald Knnunen, Neil Beckman, JoAnn Bergquist and Tom Yelich.
Newspaper Details
Ironwood Daily Globe
Ironwood, Michigan, US
Sat, Feb 28, 1998
Page 33
Full Page
Clipped by
Ironwood A.
MI, USA 15 Dec 2022
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