News & Stories
Built by Many: How Collaboration Created Railroad Square
Photo credit: Explore Kalkaska Facebook - Shoot Me Photography LLC
Image description: An aerial view of a three-season pavilion surrounded by sidewalks, a clock tower, street parking, an event lawn space with bench seating, and a pedestrian trail.
Railroad Square exists today because community partners united when Kalkaska needed them most. After the Kalkaska Downtown Development Authority (DDA) reached out for help overcoming a major funding setback, the Community Foundation, Rotary Charities, and other funders stepped in to help move the project forward.
Back in 2018, the Village of Kalkaska and the Kalkaska DDA were ineligible for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to support their Railroad Square project that aimed to create a communal space to engage residents and enliven the downtown area. Due to inaccurate information from a Census Data report, the village no longer qualified for certain CDBG funding opportunities, bringing project plans to a halt. After much behind-the-scenes work, the Village of Kalkaska and the Kalkaska DDA were allowed to redo the study but at their own expense, something that was not possible with their limited budgets.
“We applied for several planning grants with several funding sources to help offset the cost of the study,” said Gayenell Gentelia, Kalkaska DDA Associate Director. “The Community Foundation stepped up to the plate and granted us $1,000 for the study. A small investment with a powerful and mighty impact. Without this study, we would not have been able to apply for funding to develop Railroad Square.”
The desired project aimed to transform an old vacant lumberyard into an active, multipurpose community hub—a gathering place with a covered pavilion for all to enjoy in downtown Kalkaska. Through several grants and funding entities, the Village of Kalkaska was able to redo the study and be properly ranked in the data, enabling the village to apply for CDBG funding and proceed with the Railroad Square project.
Railroad Square officially opened in spring 2021, which according to Gayenell, was perfect for the community given the COVID-19-related restrictions in place.
“Due to the pandemic, our schools were unable to have their proms, dances, and celebrations,” shared Gayenell. “With the completion of the Railroad Square Pavilion and its ability to be open on three of its four sides, it met the Health Department’s definition of an open space. We were able to offer this space for these very important and memorable activities for our young residents.”
Since project completion, Railroad Square has become home to concerts and outdoor movie nights, food trucks, a rentable event space, and a thriving farmers market from spring through fall. The community resource, situated at the heart of downtown Kalkaska, is a permanent, established asset for all to use.
“Railroad Square has become the focal point of our community,” said Gayenell. “It truly has provided our community a space where we can gather, recreate, enjoy local entertainment and gatherings of family and friends.”
In the years since opening, Railroad Square has greatly impacted the Village of Kalkaska. Such a valuable amenity now exists thanks to early support from sources like our Community Funds.
“This project would not have been possible without the small grants we first received to be competitive in the larger state grants,” added Gayenell. “Having community organizations like the Community Foundation and Rotary Charities is the only way small rural communities can compete in state and federal grants to complete community projects such as Railroad Square.”
With immense community support, the Railroad Square project went from dream to reality, fostering community connection and proving that one drop in the bucket can have an impactful effect.
Writer: Alex Dailey