The harborside campus of North House Folk School is undergoing a transformation to become a more pedestrian-friendly area. The asphalt in North House’s harborside parking lot is gone, and by late November there will be an outdoor student commons in its place.
There is a sign on 8th Avenue, by the Grand Marais Rec Park, directing North House Folk School “construction traffic” to temporary parking spaces. Why? Because the space that was once a parking lot right on the waterfront is being converted. The asphalt in North House’s harbor side parking lot is gone, and by late November there will be an outdoor student commons in its place.
North House spokesperson Kate Watson explains that when it is complete the new student commons will provide an “open-format community space.”
The revamped space was designed to provide a better setting for the numerous community gatherings that North House hosts throughout each year, including the Wooden Boat Show, Summer Solstice Pageant, Winterer’s Gathering and Unplugged.
It is hoped that the new commons will also promote freer movement between downtown Grand Marais and the Grand Marais Rec Park, with inviting paths leading from the highway through campus and into the campground.
Featuring paving bricks and green space, the commons will also benefit Lake Superior. The planned trees, shrubs and gardens not only complement the harbor’s natural beauty, they will also filter run-off before it reaches the harbor.
In addition to enhancing the commons area adjacent to the Grand Marais Harbor, building plans will improve the campus entrance by separating pedestrian and vehicle traffic. To accommodate student and visitor parking, an enlarged parking area will be located adjacent to Highway 61.
The transformation is funded in part by a grant from the Lake Superior Coastal program, as well as many individual donors. Over half of the funding for the project is already in place, and at present, fundraising is under way to match a $90,000 challenge grant.
“Hard construction” is scheduled for completion by late November. Landscaping and “greening” of the campus will occur in spring 2012, with special emphasis on April 20 – 22, 2012 during North House’s “Volunteer and Service Learning Weekend.”
“We hope you’ll come and lend a hand in creating a space that will better serve our community and our harborside home,” said Watson.
For more information and regular updates on the project, visit www.northhouse.org, or to request a printed overview call (218) 387-9762.
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