Downtown Caro
FARMERS MARKET IS BACK IN CARO!
The Eighth Annual Farmers Market is back in Caro in the Caro Schall
School parking lot between E. Burnside and E. Sherman St. every Saturday,
starting May 8 until October 16 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. For more
information, call 989-673-5244. VENDORS NEEDED FOR produce,
Antiques, Bedding Plants, Collectibles, Arts and Crafts.
~ ~Downtown News! ~~
Last Update: 5/18/04
The Caro Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is busy with several exciting projects:
As our banners Say: Welcome to Caro!
Our Downtown Development Authority has been busy making
the much needed improvements to our downtown.
The biggest project that has just been completed is our parking lots on the Northwest
side of M-81 and the Southeast side. What a wonderful
improvement to the "Village of Caro"..
These improvements have truly made Caro "The
shopping place of the thumb". We look forward to the completion
of the M-81 project, which is being done by the State of Michigan.
The M-81 project will be completed in three phases starting from west of
Van Geisen Road and ending east of M-24 in the Village of Caro. M-81
will be reconstructed and resurfaced for 1.9 miles. Included in the
project are curb and gutter improvements, water main and storm sewer
replacements, roadway replacement and resurfacing, streetscaping, and
landscaping which includes lighting, decorative sidewalks, and tree
plantings.
Construction began in early March, 2004. Watch for
single lane closures and traffic detours. The project is to be
completed by mid-November, 2004 except for seasonal watering of new trees
which shall be maintained through 2006.
We are confident that after 150 years of progress in Caro,
our founding fathers would be pleased with our progress.
COME SEE US.
ATWOOD PARK PROJECT:
Gazebo donated by the Caro
Lion's Club
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The Caro Downtown Development Authority (CDDA)
The Authority was formed in 1984 and became the
"think tank" for the Village Council.
The original members were Rex Ellsworth, Richard Ransford, Mike Sinchak,
Donald Hutchinson, Harry Schubel, Douglas Campbell, Mike Rowe, Rudy
Petzold & Shelia Everts. In 1985 Sara Dost replaced Shelia Everts. The
Board of Directors agreed to use Eric Nelson, a student from Texas A&M
University to use Caro's Master Plan for his masters thesis. This would come to be a very valuable tool
for the DDA.
In Mr. Nelson's remarks he made the following observations: "The
downtown of Caro manifests itself as an economically healthy center of the
community. This strength is the direct result of its commercial and
service availability, its role as a county seat, and the concerns,
displayed by the community, to improve the downtown district. Caro has an
untapped potential to grow stronger as a vital downtown center, rich in
image and community focus."
Thus the work for the improvement of the downtown was laid
out for the board and the village council. Merchants in Caro have a long
history of cooperation with the village. For instance, in the 1870's Peter
Bush donated land to build a court house, Samuel Sherman gave properties
to construct a jail, William Heart partnered with Charles Montague in
acquiring a good railroad connection, Heart donated $5,000. And Montague
donated the land for the depot, then gave $5,000. And helped raise $30,000
from area citizens for its completion in the 1870's.
During World War II the merchants donated funds to build
the "Merchants Building" at the Caro fairgrounds, which is still used today.
In the 1800's lumbering played a major role as a prominent
industry of Caro. In the 1900's it became a strong center for agriculture
and commerce. Community leaders look forward in the 2000's to adding
industry to the commercial base for the area. With this in mind the
Tuscola Economic Development Corporation has employed a director and
office staff to obtain this goal. Success has been reached in this
endeavor, with more industry and commercial commerce on the horizon.
During the 1990-91 streetscape project, which was a
renovation of the downtown, merchants again stepped forward to join in.
1310 lettered bricks were sold and placed in the new sidewalks, and
several have been added since. Wiring was put in place for speakers so
that downtown Caro can enjoy music on the streets during business hours.
The State Savings Bank, now Chemical Bank, was helpful with support of
this project.
In 1999 hanging flower baskets were hung during the summer
months with live flowers in the downtown area, and new Christmas
decorations were used to decorate the area.
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