Public Affairs

 After four years of road closures and construction projects, new infrastructure, jobs and businesses are now being seen throughout Battle Creek, Mich. These improvements are a result of Battle Creek Unlimited’s $85 million downtown revitalization project.

The project, which started in 2008, was aimed at bringing businesses and modernizing 20 to 30 acres of Battle Creek’s central business district, according to Battle Creek Unlimited’s Downtown Transformation Strategy. Streetscape enhancements including new bike lanes, walking paths, lights and a festival square were built on and around Michigan Avenue this summer.

The improvements, which were completed this fall, were made to strengthen downtown Battle Creek’s image as a business destination and make the area more accessible to the public, said Jim Hettinger, senior adviser at Battle Creek Unlimited.

“The downtown is the signature of the community. We wanted to build on the strength of the current businesses and revamp it with lights and beautify it to reflect that strength,” Hettinger said.

This project was funded almost entirely by private donors, according to Battle Creek Unlimited. More than $62 million was donated from various private sources all over the United States, including the largest donation of $35 million from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, according to Battle Creek Unlimited.

The rest of the $85 million came from Kellogg Co., which allocated $22.5 million to build a six-story office building downtown, according to Battle Creek. The building, completed in 2010, brought more than 600 new employees and provided a venue for high skilled workers downtown, according to Battle Creek Unlimited.

Though some remain skeptical of Battle Creek’s potential, 1,000 jobs have been added since the revitalization project started in 2008, Beard said. The newly created International Food Protection Training Institute, which was opened downtown in 2010, has trained 2,000 new professionals since opening, some of whom have chosen to stay in the city, said Cheryl Beard, director of commercial development at Battle Creek Unlimited.

Even though more businesses have come to Battle Creek because of the downtown revitalization project, one-fifth of the storefronts downtown remain vacant, Beard said. Even so, Beard said she is confident that her organization can turn downtown Battle Creek into a vibrant business district.