Officials in Big Rapids are planning $2 million worth of work to the downtown, thanks to a federally-funded state grant.

The Vibrant Small Cities grant was awarded  in October. The $1 million matching grant can only be spent in a traditional downtown. City officials expect to get the match from state highway funds, other grants and match dollars put up by local business owners.

“Downtowns are the heart and soul of our communities,” said Joe Borgstrom, head of the Community Assistance Team of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, which is administering the grant program. “Investing in downtowns ... creates a better quality of life for all of us.”

The application guidelines stipulated that recipients must have a traditional downtown area, with a grouping of at least 20 commercial properties, and a predominantly zero lot line (meaning building fronts are on the sidewalk and not set behind a parking lot), include multi-story buildings of historical or architectural significance and an area that has been used for commercial development for at least 50 years.

The project list for Big Rapids includes renovations to Pocket Park, street and electrical improvements on Michigan Avenue, including LED streetlights; business facade improvements; a sign system directing people to downtown; and a connection from downtown to Riverwalk.

The largest project is an arts incubator t0 be created in the upper floors of the Artworks building to provide studio space.

“Big Rapids had the best presentation of all the communities. They did a great job telling the story, both verbally and visually, and that’s what we want them to do,” Borgstrom said.