Temporary Placemaking Installation at Cook Park

City Council Agenda Item Report FROM:

Ryan Cummins, City Manager

MEETING DATE:

January 8, 2025

SUBJECT:

Temporary Placemaking Installation at Cook Park

DESCRIPTION: City Council established increasing collaboration with the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), continuing to support local business, and keeping tourism strong, year-round as desirable priorities for this fiscal year. The CVB recently entered into an agreement with the Saugatuck Center for the Arts (SCA) to be a project manager for placemaking projects. The CVB is interested in a temporary, interactive installation at Cook Park from November 2025 – March 2026. The CVB envisions this installation being large and taking up a lot of the park space. The hope is that the installation will increase the number of visitors in the shoulder seasons. The CVB envisions something similar to the World of Winter in Grand Rapids. Here are some photos from their website:

Staff is supportive of the request. There may be some upgraded power needs for the area that will have to be evaluated. I am seeking Council input on allowing the CVB to use Cook Park for a temporary installation. If so, the CVB and SCA plan to issue a request for proposals to design and install the installation. The final plans will be reviewed with the Parks and Public Works Committee, Historic District Commission and City Council. LEGAL REVIEW: Legal will be at your meeting if you have any questions. SAMPLE MOTION: N/A. Workshop item at this time.

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