It’s the end of an era in the City of Muskegon, and the end of Mayor Steve Gawron’s run that included 10 years as a commissioner at large, before taking over as mayor in 2012.
Despite losing re-election in November, it’s a career that oversaw the transformation of Muskegon during that period, and fellow city hall officials praised him Tuesday for a job well done.
“The mayor was always such a personable person, and... wanting to see our community, neighbor to neighbor, relate to each other and move ahead,” Commissioner Dan Sybenga said. “I think that is what I (most) appreciate about his leadership.”
Just elected as commissioner-at-large in November, Rachel Gorman said Mayor Gawron had a relentless dedication to the City of Muskegon.
“The immense work, passion and time—personal time, (that) his whole family has put in to put our city where it is now is just tremendous,” Gorman said. “I am so grateful for his service.”
At one point, the future of Muskegon looked bleak. But under Gawron’s leadership, the community began to bounce back, says Vice Mayor Eric Hood.
“After the mall left, there was nothing,” Hood said. “Under (Gawron’s) tenure we began to rebuild with the vision of the farmers market," he said.
"And from that point on, it just grew.”
With all of the major strides that the city has made over the past 10 years, Mayor Gawron said the revitalization of the downtown corridor is what he might be most proud of.
“Reinventing a traditional downtown that looks pretty much like it did when I was a kid,” Gawron said. “(But also) the remarkable people that have pulled together to build this home we call Muskegon.”
And while the run as mayor may have come a little earlier than he wanted, Gawron says, he is looking forward to the next chapter.
“You know, life throws a curve and here you are,” Gawron said. “But right now, I think it is important for me—(to) be proud of what we accomplished as a community.”
