Dear Muskegon Community Foundation, this lacklustre corridor between Indian Cemetery and Social Security is why design charrette is called for before #Shoreline Market

I seem to stumble upon charrettes in Grand Haven. A group of citizens want to place an Indy Race Track for 30,000 people on Harbor Island. A group of citizens came to the community center for three sessions and got to speak their minds to a developer who took notes on an easel. People got to ask for features like Leed certification and porous pavement and soccer fields. Maybe I didn't get the memo about the Shoreline Market charrettes? I get the memos about charrettes as far away as Chicago and Detroit, though, where the practice is common.

Muskegon has a record of challenges when it comes to design. Down came our historical hotel, the Occidental, and down came the Muskegon Mall that followed it. A promenade has beautified the downtown, a culinary institute has opened its doors and two office buildings have risen. Downtown is often a lonely place one must depart immediately when the game or show lets out.

The Social Security building is fine but regards the Indian Cemetery with no regard. However, the building and the grounds show the respect for elders of two different cultures. The current disconnect wouldn't show up in a properly designed project.

I rather like the idea of the Shoreline Market, and won't mention the nickname for containers: reefers. It should bathe Western Street with foot traffic and pull people over from Grand Rapids and up from Grand Haven. How will the sailors get to it? Maybe they'll come up the canal envisioned by TedxMuskegon? Charrettes are very TED as the D stands for Design. Charrettes are very educational, which is what the E represents. To the easel, everyone.