Aesthetic Changes Seen in Mackinac Island’s Downtown
By Ryan Schlehuber

The Island’s unofficial construction season ends Friday, May 20, the last day motor vehicles will be allowed to be used on the Island for construction or landscaping projects. Until then, contractors, business owners, and residents will be hurrying to finish any projects that need motor vehicles to do the job.

The only motor vehicles allowed on city and state park streets after May 20 are city emergency response vehicles and utility trucks from Mackinac Island State Park Commission, SBC Ameritech, and Edison Sault Electric. The trucks for SBC and Edison are only used in case of an emergency during the summer, said City Clerk Karen Lennard.

Though motor vehicles have been banned from the Island since 1898, the city allows contractors and residents to apply for permits for temporary use of motor vehicles, mostly for safety reasons. Construction projects must use horse-drawn vehicles whenever possible and motor vehicles can only be used if and when a horse-drawn vehicle is unable to perform the task.

The following are some of the more noticeable projects downtown that are finished or are soon to be finished for the 2005 summer tourism season:

Lake View Hotel

Returning guests at Lake View Hotel will certainly see some new changes. The wood siding along the foundation and front and side entry stairs have been replaced with cultured stone and the rooflines were extended to prevent water from dripping on sidewalk pedestrians.

Inside, the hotel’s entire lobby has been renovated, with new wood flooring, new furniture, and a new front desk, and hotel General Manager Chris Modd said the pool’s deck area has been replaced with sleek and smooth pebble stone flooring.

The hotel also has added Mackinac Island Bike Shop to its complex, which is next to Goodfellows Grill. The bicycle shop, co-owned by Richard Coates and hotel developer Ira Green, used to be next to Bay View Inn in the Mission district. Island resident Jim Fisher now occupies that building for his new bicycle business, Mackinac Wheels.

Seabiscuit & Grog Cafe

Debra and Sandra Orr, who own Pub Oyster Bar, French Outpost, and Orr Kids Bicycle Shop, will soon be opening a new cafe downtown, next to Martha’s Sweet Shop. Seabiscuit & Grog Cafe could open as soon as Friday, May 20.

The cafe was formerly Maeve’s Arts and Antiques and Hunter’s Creek clothing store. Maeve Croghan has moved her business to Carrousel Shops on Market Street and Hunter’s Creek owner John Cherwonka will have a new outlet at Mission Point Resort and will continue to operate another one at the corner of Cadotte and Mahoney Avenue in the French Outpost complex.

Grand Hotel

The largest and one of the oldest resort hotels on the Island will offer a new suite starting this summer to recognize Jane Seymour, who starred with Christopher Reeve in the 1979 Island-made film, “Somewhere in Time.”

The new suite is decorated with the actress’s new Saks, Incorporated line of home furnishings that include luxurious bedding, quilts, and decorative bedroom and bath accessories.

Grand Hotel now has 31 named rooms and 22 suites. It has a total of 385 rooms.

Chippewa Hotel Waterfront

The 140-foot long overhang in front of the Chippewa Hotel is completely new, the hotel’s front facade has been repainted, and its balconies in the back have been replaced.

Lilac Tree Hotel

At Lilac Tree Hotel, the lower level area has been renovated to make room for Audrey Moran’s new spa business, the Lilac Tree Spa. The lower level still has room for conferences.

Lilac Tree Spa will include massage rooms, a spa area, tanning booths, and will offer manicures and facials. Ms. Moran plans to open her business on Memorial Day.

Inn on Mackinac

The Inn on Mackinac will soon be able to offer guests a refreshing, relaxing spa area as soon as July. The 14-foot outdoor spa is being constructed in the back of the inn. The spa and its deck can hold up to 30 people.

Island House

The oldest hotel on the Island had its front porch repaired. General Manager Todd Callewaert said new rails, a new hardwood deck, and new beams supporting the deck were installed. He said it ties into the remodeled lobby, which was renovated last year.

Leino Condominiums

Ralph Leino’s four-unit condominium project is in progress. City Engineer Dennis Dombroski said it is close to being finished, as workers are putting up interior drywall.

Mission Church

Mackinac Island State Park has replaced the roof of the 176-year-old church, painted the basement, and has replaced the church’s front steps.

Wedding parties will now have access to a staging area next to the church, as the picketed fence that surrounded the front of the building was removed to make room for large groups gathering for photographs. (See separate story on page 16)

The rebuilding of Chippewa Hotel Waterfront’s 104-foot long overhang is now complete. The old one was rotting.

Lake View Hotel’s exterior and its lobby and front desk has a new look this year. Cultured stone was put in place on the foundation and the steps of the hotel. On the east side of the hotel, the entrance steps were rebuilt.