By Dennis Volkert
Installation of archways for “Electric Alley” was completed last week in downtown Sturgis.
It’s another feature of the “Electric City” lighting project, which got underway in 2024.
Miller Signs provided the signage unit.
Ericka Kruszka, from the city’s community development division, provided a brief update of additional aspects of the initiative.
Electric hook-up in the food truck hub south of Sturges-Young Center for the Arts still is in progress. Plants and picnic tables at some sites have not been installed. Timeline is closer to spring for those elements.
Another pending piece is installation of QR codes that will link to Sturgis DDA website. That portion has not been finalized, said Ryan Conrod, downtown event coordinator.
“We’re putting finishing touches on it,” he said.
Conrod is pleased with the archway result.
“(It’s what) we wanted to do for many years, and I had a design for them made several years ago, and with the lighting project, they were able to get that accomplished finally,” Conrod said.
Byler Electric conducted electrical work for LED illumination of downtown buildings. That was unveiled in October 2024.
The project is funded through grants and donations, partly through a Patronicity campaign, which raised $50,000, and Newell A. and Grace A. Franks Fund, which has committed more than $125,000.
DDA also received approval to use grant funding from Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s public spaces allocation. That provides a $50,000 grant to communities that are able to raise at least $50,000 in donations.
Sturgis Improvement Association also donated money to illuminate the front of 104-106 N. Nottawa Street, to complete the entrance onto Chicago Road.
Jeff Coney, who served as community development specialist during the planning phase through unveiling, has moved on from that position. Kruszka said she is happy the project is nearing completion, considering his commitment to the concept.
“I’m so excited to see everything coming together that Jeff Coney worked so hard for,” she said.
