The Port Huron Downtown Development Authority met yesterday morning, where they re-capped Blue Water Fest and received an update on the progress of a downtown marketplace at the former Art Van building. City Manager James Freed, speaking about Blue Water Fest, praised D.D.A. director Natalie Watson for organizing the festival on such short notice. Some changes being considered for next year’s festival include moving the carnival from Kiefer park to a location closer to downtown, with D.D.A. members saying this year’s carnival was both small and far away from the rest of the festival. Freed also addressed the Downtown Development Authority yesterday to give a progress report on the re-development of the former Art Van Building. Earlier this year, Freed proposed a four season indoor-outdoor marketplace and concert venue at the location. Speaking to WPHM yesterday, Freed says he is in discussions with the St. Clair County Board of Commissioner, who purchased the property in 2014. Freed says if the property is acquired by the city and enough donations are procured, construction for the marketplace could begin next spring. The D.D.A. also received an update on the rebuilding of East Quay Street in Downtown Port Huron. Freed says his plan for a “pocket park” will not be moving forward and that the streets will instead be rebuilt for vehicle traffic. He says the section of Quay between Huron and Michigan will look very similar to Superior Mall, which is also a one way street. Construction on that project could begin this coming spring.
