NILES — From major projects to big policy decisions to day-to-day work, the city of Niles’ employees and elected officials work to keep their hometown running, its residents happy and its community thriving.

Leader Publications reached out to city leaders and asked them to share their thoughts on the city’s proudest accomplishments in 2019 and what they looked forward to in 2020.

Their written responses have been grammatically edited, and some have been shortened.

Christina Arseneau, Niles

History Center director

“The biggest accomplishment for the Niles History Center in the past year was the completion of the porch rehabilitation project at the Historic Chapin Mansion. For the first time in its history, the mansion is accessible.

We also planned for installing a modern HVAC system. This will help preserve the building and its artifact collections.

We have grown our holiday open house celebrations to include new activities for all ages. We now see more than 1,500 people during the holidays.

[In] 2020, [we] will see continued projects to improve the mansion, including painting, landscaping and stained glass repair.

At the Fort St. Joseph Museum, we will update our military and underground railroad exhibits. We will continue cataloging our archaeological collections through the Fort Saint Joseph curatorial fellowship.”

Lisa Croteau, Niles Main Street director

“It feels like we have hit a positive tipping point downtown. Eleven new businesses opened downtown, and there was close to $2 million in private investment in property downtown last year.

Plus, our volunteer hours for 2019 exceeded 4,600 hours. Without the amazing volunteers, none of this would be happening.

There are quite a few really wonderful projects in the works now that I am excited to see come to fruition in 2020, as well as the excitement/anticipation of what new projects will come to downtown. …

Niles DDA Main Street celebrated [its]15th year as a Michigan Main Street program and 18 years being a Main Street program. …

Niles Main Street received three of eight [Michigan Main Street] grants totaling $80,000.

Gabrizio was the pilot for the state program. Trap House 24 received the second Match on Main grant award. Niles Brewing Company scored the highest of any applicant for the program throughout the state.

Apothica Teas was our fourth application and did not receive the grant but scored sixth. Unfortunately, only five additional [businesses] were chosen.

Sponsorship for the 2020 Hunter Ice Festival is currently at $39,790, compared to a total of $24,600 in 2019 and a previous high of $33,480 in 2018.”

Ric Huff, city

administrator

Huff provided the following accomplishments of 2019 in a bulleted list:

“• $700,000 in road resurfacing projects, including ADA sidewalk ramps.

• $100,000 in Street Division heavy equipment retrofits.

• Designed $1.2 million in road repairs and bridge repairs for 2020.

• Completed the Riverfront Park walkway expansion and fishing pier on the west side of the St. Joseph River.

• Chamber of Commerce sold Four Flags Plaza Apartments and created a foundation to benefit local start-up companies.

• Four Flags Plaza Apartments remodel substantially completed.

• Phase One of the Pucker Street Dam removal project completed.

• Electrical infrastructure improvements in the Industrial Park to support marijuana businesses.

• Cherry Street water tower painted and maintained.

• Inventory of lead water service lines completed and removals begun.

• The wastewater division developed an approved Federal Industrial Pretreatment Program.

Several wastewater division upgrades in 2019 including new pumps, new sludge garage and new primary mechanisms for wastewater treatment. 

• The division also had a comprehensive state of Michigan inspection and passed with no discrepancies noted.”

Larry Lamb, Niles Fire

Department chief

“The big items for me are the Indeck Niles Energy Plant and the increases in residential housing units in town. Between the upgrade at 17 N. Seventh St., the Berkshire property now full and now the start of the Post Office Apartments project breaking ground, we are experiencing a ton of growth.

Marijuana production and sales have been the proverbial talk of the town for years. Last year was a development year, with several new companies either up and running or soon to be in operation. Next year, I would expect to see the fledgling industry into full swing.”

Mayor Nick Shelton

“What an incredible year it has been for the City of Niles.

In 2019, we saw 11 businesses open their doors in the downtown district and the expansion of several others. Berkshire Niles, a 52-unit apartment complex, opened its doors, and construction began on new apartments in the former home of the ‘Old Post Office.’

Additionally, several new businesses have taken steps to open or break ground in 2020.

About $700,000 in road resurfacing projects was completed, and $1.2 million was designated for road and bridge repairs in 2020.

Phase One of the Pucker Street Dam removal was completed, and the Cherry Street water tower was painted and maintained.

The Historic Chapin Mansion’s porch was rehabilitated, and the Riverfront Park walkway expansion and fishing pier was completed.

Indeck Niles Energy Center, a $1 billion power plant, broke ground on the north side of Niles. Hundreds of jobs have been created to aid in the completion of this project.

And the list goes on.”