Several significant projects are moving forward in Elk Rapids, with construction breaking ground this summer on the $1 million transformation of Rotary Park, a plan coming together for the new Elk Rapids District Library, and recent village approval of a new 24-unit affordable housing complex.

Elk Rapids Rotary Park
Construction has started on the $1 million transformation of Elk Rapids Rotary Park, the popular roadside park just south of the village on US-31 and a key trailhead on the Chain of Lakes Water Trail (pictured).

Among the many amenities planned is a non-motorized launch. One universal access launch is already located on the Chain of Lakes Water Trail – a more than 100-mile water trail stretching through 12 lakes and interconnected rivers in Antrim, Charlevoix, Grand Traverse, and Kalkaska counties – on the north end of Elk Lake in Kewadin. Rotary Park will soon boast the second universally accessible launch, providing the first complete route on the Chain of Lakes Water Trail accessible to all users. Instead of users having to launch from and return to the same site, they will be able to travel continuously between Kewadin and Elk Rapids.

New fully plumbed restrooms with a changing station are also planned, as well as a redesigned parking lot with more spaces and trailer parking. Several stumps will be cleared from the surrounding water to provide clear access to the Elk River boat channel. A rain garden with native plants will also be installed to control stormwater runoff from the parking lot. Rotary Park is also set to receive a new permanent wash station for kayaks and other non-motorized vessels.

“With construction slated to be complete in November, we are excited to be at the finish line of implementing our community’s vision for Rotary Park and enhancing non-motorized connectivity to the water,” says Village President Karen Simpson.

Rotary Park was one of 21 projects selected for funding in the first round of Michigan Spark grants in 2023. The Village of Elk Rapids, in partnership with nonprofit Paddle Antrim, was awarded $478,100 toward the park’s revitalization. Other significant funding sources included $247,000 from the Michigan State Waterways Commission and a commitment of more than $100,000 from the village. Park improvements were identified as a priority in the village’s 2018 Recreation Plan. Engineering and project management is being overseen by Gourdie Frasier, Inc. with Molon Excavating handling construction.

Elk Rapids District Library
After closing on the purchase of the former Traverse Bay Manufacturing building on Cairn Highway, Elk Rapids District Library is now working with consultants to finalize a design and fundraising plan to make the building its new home.

A preliminary feasibility study by architects Quinn Evans last winter estimated that converting the building into a new facility meeting all of the library’s needs would come at an estimated cost of $9.2 million. Since then, the library has engaged consulting firm Breton Group to conduct a fundraising feasibility study. The firm’s report, recently released, recommends a phased project plan with an initial scope of $4-$6 million. Breton Group determined that a community-wide capital campaign could raise $2-$2.5 million, or up to $3 million with “with strong local leadership and further community engagement.”

Based on those findings, “the architects went back to the table to plan a phased approach,” Library Director Pam Williams tells The Ticker. “Our new goal is $6.5 million for the initial phase to move the library. Quinn Evans will deliver specific information regarding pricing, possible donor-naming opportunities, and more detailed plans later in July. In the meantime, we are putting together a community-led team of leaders that will begin the initial fundraising portion this fall."

While the library works through this process, the organization is leasing the Cairn Highway building to House on Horizon, a local custom home design and interior décor firm. The company has a one-year lease with an option to extend for a second year, providing revenue to the library until it can utilize the space itself. The Village of Elk Rapids is forming a committee to explore future possibilities for the Island House, the library’s current home, once the library departs the space.

HomeStretch Housing
Elk Rapids Village Council members recently unanimously approved a zero percent payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) agreement with HomeStretch Nonprofit Housing Corporation for a new 24-unit, two-building housing project at 401 Bridge Street. A PILOT agreement allows developers to pay a percentage of rental income in lieu of traditional taxes to offset costs associated with developing affordable housing and charging below-market rental rates. HomeStretch initially sought a four percent PILOT, but village leaders agreed to drop it to zero to increase the project’s odds of receiving Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) funding. “It really speaks to how much the village wants to bring housing there,” says HomeStretch Executive Director Jon Stimson.

The village’s support extended to real estate, agreeing to sell the Bridge Street property to HomeStretch for $1. Elk Rapids Township also agreed to sell an adjoining lot to the village for $100, which was bundled into the development site. The apartments will be targeted toward tenants earning 30 to 80 percent of the area median income (AMI) level, with estimated rental rates of $382 to $1,426 (the lowest rates represent tenants with housing vouchers). Stimson says demand is such that HomeStretch anticipates having 95-100 percent occupancy within four months. HomeStretch will give preference to Elk Rapids village and township residents. The PILOT agreement will run for 15 years – with an option to renew beyond that – while a deed restriction on the property states it must be used for tenants with up to 120 percent AMI for 45 years.

Construction timing is contingent on securing the rest of the project funding. HomeStretch submitted a $800,000 application to the Federal Home Loan Bank and will submit its MSHDA application by October, with answers on both expected by the end of the year. If both applications are successful, the project could break ground in 2025 and be ready for occupancy in 2026, Stimson says. A denial of either application, however, could delay that timeline until HomeStretch can try again in the next grant cycle or find an alternate funding source.

Photo credit: Mark McAlpine