Hoop Skirt Alley Project

Learn more about the project including a list of supporters here.

Creating an interactive space in downtown Charlevoix improving walkability & adding to the vibrancy of town. Hoop Skirt Alley is a place to make memories!

Render by Freshwater Charch, a design build firm, 231-871-1470 

Reimagining Hoop Skirt Alley

We at the Charlevoix Main Street DDA, along with our Junior Main Street Committee of Charlevoix High School Students, have been working to re-imagine one of downtown Charlevoix's favorite alleys! The result includes transforming Hoop Skirt Alley into a pedestrian plaza & outdoor gathering place complete with comfortable seating, decorative lighting, art, and plenty of fun.   

Meet the Charlevoix High School Junior Main Street committee members! Opens in new windowMeet the Charlevoix High School Junior Main Street Committee members! 

The Project 

This re-imagined space is based on recommendations made in the Charlevoix Downtown Alley Corridor Vision which was written by Michigan State University's School of Planning, Design, and Construction in January of 2018. The report factors in feedback gathered at several public meetings that took place in 2017. Charlevoix citizens had concerns mainly regarding underutilized and unmaintained alleys, and the challenges of safe and appealing pedestrian areas. 

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You asked for more gathering spaces, family and kid friendly features, vibrant alleys, well-lit spaces, cultural and artistic elements, outdoor seating, and priority on pedestrians and bikes. This project has been taken on by high school students as part of the Junior Main Street initiative. 

In total, this project cost $16,000. $4,000 of funding came from Charlevoix Main Street DDA. The project was completed with a Ribbon Cutting Celebration on Saturday, June 8th with live music, food, and hula-hooping!

The Impact

Our alleys are already hidden gems, but the re-imagined Hoop Skirt alley offers residents and visitors a more connected, artistic, walkable, and welcoming downtown space. 

Together with our community partners we created a enchanting space for people to sit, shop, dine, and experience a hidden gem in our downtown.  Your support enhances our mission to create a vibrant, strong, and economically viable downtown that serves as the heart and hub of our community! 

Because we met the alley fundraising goal, donations were doubled thanks to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation(MEDC). Thank you for making downtown Charlevoix a great place for all!