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Watch Muskegon (Heights) Go

As the city of Muskegon continues to revitalize its downtown corridor, next door the city of Muskegon Heights is hoping to do the same. Along with the city’s Downtown Development Authority, Muskegon Heights City Manager Jake Eckholm is working to change the public’s perception of the Muskegon Heights by investing a portion of the city’s $500,000 budget into landscaping, and infrastructure repair, all in the hopes of attracting new businesses to the downtown area. 

“We’ve kind of come up with a plan of action as far as our downtown corridor, to improve some street-scaping and fill some store fronts," Eckholm said. "We’ve filled 3 of their 6 buildings that they own, and we have two more of them under contract right now, so we should have five of six by the spring. These are brand new companies that are new to the Muskegon Height’s downtown area.”

While the Watch Us Go campaign has largely focused on the city of Muskegon, Eckholm says the campaign is beginning to have a trickle effect into the Heights, where new green space and family friendly events are beginning to transform how residents think of the city often described as one of Michigan’s most violent. 

“What’s good for one of us in this metro area is good for all of us," Eckholm said. "We are looking more and more at ways we can work together, and the Watch Us Go campaign is something that kind of visualizes that. So its something that we feel is important to continue." 

While public perception of Muskegon Heights may still be negative, there may be cause for hope. According to Muskegon Heights officials, the city is averaging a brand new business opening every month. 

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