| Harbor Shores is pleased with City's Success in Jean Klock Park for 2011 |
| Friday, 30 September 2011 | |
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Benton Harbor, MI — Friday, September 30, 2011 — The partners in Harbor Shores are very pleased to learn of the City of Benton Harbor's success in Jean Klock Park for the 2011 summer season.
Harbor Shores Trustee and Cornerstone Alliance President Wendy Dant Chesser said, "Since its inception Harbor Shores has been about creating opportunities for both the community and its residents. It is about transforming a community. The success in Jean Klock Park this past summer is a shining example that opportunities are being created for both a distressed community as well as its residents." "We could not be more pleased with the results. The fact that 23 residents received employment throughout the summer season is excellent news. The most rewarding part of the City's success is that over $113,000 in new revenue was generated in a community that is financially strained," added Chesser. More than $2.7 million has been incurred by Harbor Shores to upgrade the public beach bath house and lookout, build walking trails and improved parking access to the park. Additionally, each year Harbor Shores incurs more than $120,000 to maintain public access to the park including clean up, beach preservation, and general maintenance of the facilities. Since its revitalization use of the park has expanded tremendously. Evergreen Development Managing Director, Bob McFeeter said, "Serving as the project manager on the improvements to Jean Klock Park, I could not be more pleased to hear the positive results the City has shared. Since the first time I toured the park, I knew it was one of the City's – and the entire area's – greatest assets and this is proof positive that others are noticing the Park, as well." "I am equally as pleased that some of the revenue from Jean Klock Park is being combined with Whirlpool funding to improve additional Benton Harbor parks that mean so much to the residents of the community," added McFeeter. Throughout the summer of 2011, Harbor Shores and the City of Benton Harbor once again offered the FREE shuttle service to help connect the neighborhoods in Benton Harbor to Jean Klock Park. The "Jean Klock Park Express" ran continuous loops with 16 bus stops throughout the area. Bus service ran from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day this summer. "Providing citizens opportunity is what Harbor Shores and community transformation is all about. I could not be more thrilled with the results of the summer season. It is truly rewarding to see jobs and revenue created both of which are resulting in positive opportunities for area residents," said Marcus Robinson, President of the Consortium of Community Development and Harbor Shores Trustee.
About the Harbor Shores ProjectThe Benton Harbor/St. Joseph area has been on the path to revitalization for several years now thanks to community and economic development efforts. Due to a focus on the importance of diversity with inclusion, a true grass roots initiative involving over 3,500 citizens has resulted in a wide array of projects. Whether it is the Edgewater project, HOPE VI housing project, Harbor Habitat for Humanity's Jimmy Carter Work Project, or programs like the Bridges to Digital Excellence, the Boys and Girls Club and others, lives are being changed. However, much work remains to be done in order to create a world-class community.
Many of the community organizations responsible for these initiatives have partnered together to initiate the Harbor Shores Community Redevelopment project. Harbor Shores builds upon many past projects while creating additional opportunities in which area residents can engage. The goal of the project is to be the enabler to continue economic, environmental and social/cultural transformation that is already under way. Harbor Shores is a 530-acre master-planned community spans parts of Benton Harbor, St. Joseph, and Benton Charter Township. It has been initiated to revitalize the community while protecting its natural beauty. Plans call for the development to feature a full calendar of events and world-class amenities, including a marina village and riverwalk, town center with restaurants and shops, health and fitness center, deep-water marinas, with a boutique hotel and spa, miles of recreational trails and rivers, and acres of parks and green space. Harbor Shores will be home to nearly 800 residences, including charming cottages, signature homes, town homes and condominiums. Current real estate opportunities include golf and riverfront homesites, riverfront cottages, golf view homes and condominiums. The development is a cooperative effort between the Consortium for Community Development, Cornerstone Alliance, Whirlpool Foundation, the cities of Benton Harbor and St. Joseph, Benton Charter Township, Berrien County, the state of Michigan and others. To more about the community's involvement in the project, visit www.harborshoresdevelopment.com.
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