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Rogers City intersection project moving forward

ROGERS CITY — The Third and Erie Project started as a civic project and grew because of its historic sense, co-organizer Beth Budnik said.

The Third and Erie Project will include a redesign of the intersection of downtown. Some proposed design elements include boulders, new trees, bushes and flowers, seating and a fountain. At the center of the landscape project is a Fresnel lens, which is now in the middle of a refurbishment.

“How this all started is, I’m on (Community Development Authority) and right now we’re going to expand this area,” co-organizer John Budnik said.

He said fellow resident Beach Hall learned of the project and Hall knew of the lens, which was donated to the city by Carmuse Lime and Stone.

“I got a call one day and they said ‘Beach I’ve got something I want to show you,'” Hall said.

He walked into the office and saw the Fresnel lens.

Hall said the lens was the Rogers City breakwater light from 1929 to the fall of 2015.

A Fresnel lens is a specific type of lens often used in lighthouses. It’s also called a buoy lantern. Author Terry Pepper and lighthouse expert Kurt Fosburg were contacted by Hall to verify the type of lens.

John Budnick said they were told the lens is a 375 millimeter Drum Fresnel lens, 5th Order.

“They wanted to donate it to the city to put on public display,” Hall said. “I really appreciate this challenge. I think this might work. I got a hold of John and Beth. Things have started from there. I’ve been the go-between.”

Budnick said the lens is about 51 inches tall and 26 inches in diameter. He said it is a rare lens due to the intact, red glass sleeve. There are eight panels of glass around the lense, only one wasn’t broken, he said.

He said when it first arrived it was covered in dust, debris and had a bird’s nest inside. To clean up the lens Emil Zielaskowski and Leonard Lohnman were contacted.

Once it’s cleaned and ready the lens will be placed at the project site. Beth Budnick said to protect it, the lens will be encased by a protective shell.

“We hope to have everything ready by August for the Nautical Festival,” John Budnick said.

The funds for the Third and Erie Project are made possible by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority and MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places program.

To secure the $50,000 matching grant from the MEDC the city must raise $50,000 by Feb. 1. To achieve this the crowdfunding website www.patronicity.com has been used. As of Friday $33,725 has been raised.

To make a donation to the campaign people can go to www.patronicity.com/rogerscity. Donations also can be made by check and sent to Rogers City Hall at 193 E. Michigan Ave., Rogers City.

Jordan Spence can be reached via email at jspence@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5687.

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