By KATIE FINKBEINER
Capital News Service
LANSING – In Iron Mountain, Sandstone Terrace rooftop bar shares an alley with First National Bank and Trust.
And hanging over the alley: a sky art installation.
In the summer of 2023, the installation consisted of a rainbow assortment of umbrellas. In June 2024, the umbrellas were replaced by rotating miniature hot air balloons.
“It’s been a big draw for people to sit along the edge and take their group photos with the hot air balloons in the back,” said Brandy Wentz, the manager of Sandstone Terrace.
The installation received a $500 microgrant from the Michigan Municipal League Foundation in 2023. Through the foundation’s Bridge Builders Neighborhood Microgrants program, over 50 grants have been awarded since 2020, when it began as a pilot program.
“I think it’s great that these programs exist because these things wouldn’t happen without anyone inspiring it. I hope they continue to find those causes,” said Wentz.
Wentz, who has managed Sandstone Terrace since its opening in 2023, remembers how challenging it was to tell potential customers how to find the business.
“People didn’t understand our location as a rooftop bar. The way we used to explain it was where the art installation was,” said Wentz.
The installation allowed customers to easily find where the new bar was located, she said.
“I feel a lot of businesses like the fact that the downtown is perpetually adding new and exciting things like this. This is just something small, but it brings people down to check it out,” said Wentz.
Among the other microgrant recipients were PorchFest in Traverse City, Rogers City’s Art Pole Project, Lansing Eastside Crosswalk Painting and the Jefferson Chalmers Farmers Market in Detroit. Others include Sault Ste. Marie’s West Ann Street Placemaking Project, the Majestic Riverview Park Mural in Cheboygan, Growing Food. Growing Fun. Growing Fellowship in Holland and the Growth of Corn(hole) in Our Park in Hillsdale County’s North Adams.
“It started after the pandemic, and the goal was to have people come back out together into public spaces for their local economies and support each other,” said Helen Johnson, the foundation’s president.
Michael Reyes, the co-founder of microgrant recipient We Are Culture Creators, said his organization “focuses on access and equity for young creatives of color.”
“That means many things from mentorship to opportunities in professional spaces,” he said.
In 2022, the nonprofit received a $5,000 Main Street microgrant during a crowdfunding effort to begin the process of building a marketplace, La Esquina.
The name means the corner in Spanish.
Next to the organization’s house near Mexicantown in Southwest Detroit were two abandoned lots on the corner. With the donations, the organization obtained the necessary permits and bought the lots, which had been unused for over 20 years.
The space is currently used for daytime events, popup markets and music attractions.
“Generally we could have four to 12 businesses (on the site), depending on what the event is,” said Reyes. “When we have events, the young creatives and neighbors really appreciate it. It’s another space to be able to build community and create.”
Johnson said the foundation gave its most recent microgrants in 2023, and the program is now on pause for financial reasons.
Currently, the foundation is experimenting with other ways of investing in communities, Johnson said.
“We are doing a few pilot programs in collaboration with the Michigan Municipal League, and we’re offering microgrants as parts of those programs to see if that is indeed a way to catalyze additional activity and support for Michigan communities,” she said.
The league provides services to over 500 Michigan cities and villages. It focuses on the functions of local governments and how community wealth-building affects them.
“We have some short-term investments here and hope to build that into long-term growth as a way to provide value and opportunities in our communities,” said John LaMacchia, the league’s director of state and federal affairs.
“In the long-term aspect, as you foster that climate to help those entrepreneurs and those small businesses be successful, you’re helping create sustainable environments for thriving communities that allow us to support that system long-term,” said LaMacchia.
Reyes said, “The initial funds were for one season to test it out, and we’ve already done it twice.” The organization is now planning future summer festivals, events and other activities.
“In Detroit, with those kinds of funds you can really build what you’re imagining in your head,” he said.
Several factors contribute to the success of LaEsquina in Detroit, Reyes said.
“In our community, particularly the Latino community, folks want to be able to go to a place in their neighborhood that is safe, welcoming, speaks their language, is communal but also offers that flare of creative energy,” he said.