Quay Docks, Marine City Get Grants for Community Development

The Blue Water Area is well-represented in a new revitalization investment sponsored by the Michigan Strategic Fund and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. The projects are intended to bring housing, economic growth, and vibrancy to the neighborhoods.

The projects are the Quay Docks Project in Port Huron and the Marine City Apartments project in Marine City.

The Quay Docks project is expected to create 30 full-time jobs after the renovation of the vacant building on Quay Street is complete. The mixed-use development will have two commercial spaces and five apartments. The building will have a green roof along with energy and lighting upgrades to modernize the Quay Street property. 

The Marine City Apartments Project will renovate the Geck Building to include six apartments and six garages. The project will bring more people downtown and contribute to Marine City’s continued economic development.

Funding for both projects comes from grants from the Michigan Community Revitalization Program and special tax programs in both municipalities.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Senor Tequila port Huron Andres Perez

Seńor Tequila Mexican Restaurant Coming Soon to Downtown Port Huron

UPDATED 10/7/2022: Seńor Tequila is open! Follow them on Facebook for hours and details:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085868157403

 

7/11/2022: Andres Perez had been doing Google searches of Michigan towns to find a location for a new restaurant when he waited on a large party one night at Jose’s Mexican Restaurant in Sault Ste. Marie.

He asked the group where they were from, and was stunned when they said Port Huron.

“I thought, that’s hilarious because a week before I was doing a search on Port Huron,” said Andres.

Andres decided to visit Port Huron with his brother, Juan Pablo, and they connected with a realtor who introduced them to local developer, Larry Jones.

“I told him my ideas, and what I want to bring to this town, and he was so excited. He said, ‘Let’s go see the building, and see if you like it!” said Andres.

Jones showed them his property at 321 Huron Avenue that has housed several restaurants, most recently Martina’s Grill. The building has also been home to Tio Gordos, The Cajun Gator, and the Huron Athletic Club (H.A.C.).

The Perez brothers loved the building with its unique design and expansive patio, and they decided to make it the home of their new restaurant, Seńor Tequila. Andres and his team are currently in town making some cosmetic adjustments to the interior. They are adding additional booths for seating and painting walls along with making improvements to the kitchen to better suit their food preparation systems.

Seńor Tequila will feature recipes handed down from Mexico in the Perez family, and they pride themselves on being daily-fresh; they make their chips, salsa, sauces, and guacamole fresh, in-house every day. Their menu will be similar to the offerings at Jose’s Mexican Restaurant in Saulte St. Marie where Perez has been working with his family.

Andres and Pablo hope to move their families to the area once the restaurant opens, and they are looking forward to being in the downtown community. They are also counting on the winters in Port Huron being somewhat milder that what they’ve been used to up north.

As the brothers work to get everything in place for the opening of Seńor Tequila, they are reluctant to give an exact opening date. They are still waiting on permits and their liquor license, and they don’t want to open until it’s in place.

In the meantime, Andres is looking forward to Blue Water Fest and all the activity happening around downtown this week.

“I love this town. I haven’t even been here for too long, and I feel like my heart has been on this town already,” said Andres.

He encourages people to try their food when Seńor Tequila’s opens and give him feedback on what they like. He will also take suggestions from customers on dishes they may like him to offer.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

 

 

Beware of PFAS Foam on the Water, Beaches

Stay away from foam on the water when out on lakes, rivers, and streams in Michigan. Per- and poly- fluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, could be lurking in the foam, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

If swimmers or boaters or beach walkers come in contact with suspected PFAS foam, it’s a good idea to rinse off to prevent any accidental swallowing of the foam. This is especially important for children, for whom negative health effects have been evaluated by MDHHS.

PFAS foam is generally bright white in color and lightweight. Natural foam is usually off-white or brown and has an earthy or fishy scent and is usually found in bays, eddies, or at river barriers such as dams.

PFAS substances are long-lasting “forever” chemicals often used in waterproofing and firefighting foam that have made their way to water sources throughout the state.

Suspected PFAS foam can be reported to MDHHS. A link can be found at WGRT.com.

https://www.michigan.gov/pfasresponse/investigations/lakes-and-streams/foam?utm_campaign=&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Yale Bologna Festival Has Something for Everyone July 29th-31st

The Yale Bologna Festival is on the calendar for July 29th through 31st this year and the traditional small-town festival has something for everyone.

This is the 32nd annual festival that celebrates the common lunch-box meat product that is produced at C. Roy, Inc, in Yale. The festival has an abundance of creative traditions from the crowning of the King and Queen of Bologna to the famous outhouse races and the popular parade and fireworks.

This year’s festival has food vendors all weekend long, but no one goes to the Bologna Festival without getting a fried bologna sandwich. There are inflatable midway games, pony rides, and plenty of kids’ activities and family-friendly shows. Living history displays will be at the Yale City Park all weekend.

The Big Bologna Fireworks Spectacular is planned for Friday, July 29th, with the best viewing near Yale High school. The Big Bologna Parade steps off at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 30th.

There is much more to the Bologna Festival and a link to the full schedule of events can be found below.

https://www.yalechamber.com/yale-bologna-festival.html

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Sanborn and Court Street Pools Open and Free to Use

What’s better than taking a long, leisurely swim in a city pool? Not much, other than getting to swim for free.

The Port Huron Recreation Department has announced that admission to both the Court Street and Sanborn pools is free of charge until maximum capacity is met. Both pools have a maximum of 150 people at each facility. Lifeguards are on duty at all times at both pools. Children aged 11 and under need to have an adult with them.

The Court Street pool recently underwent upgrades. The tile has been resurfaced in the smaller children’s pool, the deck has been repaired, and there are new flood lights.

Both Court Street and Sanborn have new roofs on their buildings as well.

Open swim at Court Street is Monday through Sunday from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. until Friday, August 19th. Sanborn Pool’s open swim is on Saturdays and Sundays from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. until Sunday, August 14th.

So, add the Port Huron city pools to your list of ways to beat the summer heat.

The Port Huron Recreation Department provides a safe, fun and active recreation and learning environment for adults and youth. Individuals may attend programs, clubs, camps and special events throughout the year. For more information or to register for a program, please visit www.porthuronrec.com.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland