An Economic Future for Iron River

To the editors:

Closing one door...... January 2008

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In response to Iron River's request for additional ideas to round out

their Cool Cities initiative I put together and promoted a proposal

for a year that would provide:

At least 50 high paying permanent jobs with full benefits

Bring 650 high school students to town every year from now

on for a 2 week stay

Bring as many as 2210 student's family members to town

annually, plus repeat visits

Provide a new trade school in Iron River with no less

than 50 students

Create opportunity for two new lakeside restaurants

Create an opportunity for two new boat rental and bait

shop operations

Create an opportunity for a manufacturing operation and

sales of memorabilia

Present two unique tourism attractions internationally

drawing thousands annually

Provide the beginnings of an expandable public

transportation system

Mayor Soderbloom told me in a city council meeting that

"everyone is too busy" to work on this proposal. So it

is time for me to close this door in order to open some

new ones. In doing so I hasten to point out that this

project would work well for any of the communities in

our region. Details may be found at

www.angelfire.com/planet/iron-river.

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FROM:William J. Vajk

25 March 2007

Distribution:

Tom Berber

Ray Coates

Roger Zanon

Edward Marcell

Mark Saigh

Ed Lindwall

Ralph Commenator

Char Soderbloom

Jim Gibula

Terry Tarsi

Bruce Lindstrom

Don Bastianello

Alfred Perlongo

Nancy Johnson

Julie Melchiori

Bill Leonoff

Subject: Iron River Economic Recovery

Ladies and Gentlemen on the Distribution:

Attached is outline information related to an economic recovery program I have developed for the City and region surrounding Iron River. I first discussed this project with John Archocosky early in December of 2006. Subsequently I delivered copies to a number of businesses and several individuals in Iron River as well as to Bill Leonoff at the Chamber of Commerce and had subsequent discussions with Julie Melchiori. To date I have received no negative feedback from anyone. Those who had time to discuss this project with me have had a very positive outlook.

I hereby proffer the Cool Cities Plus project to the members of both the City Council and the Downtown Development Authority of Iron River for consideration and implementation. Please review the enclosed information and place my proposals on the agenda for your next meeting.

Sincerely,

Encl:

The issue is raised, "What will attract tourism and additional downtown business to Iron River." It is not sufficient to beautify downtown although that is a necessary step in the process. A downtown beautification project undertaken about two decades ago improved the spirits of Iron County residents and visitors, but did not result in any significant business expansion. In short, beautification became the only result while other aspirations simply didn�t take off.

The author has given thought to this problem. Iron River needs people with discretionary funds in their pockets, in short, tourism, before we can experience any growth in downtown retail business, or for that matter, any significant growth in the locally operated service sector. With such growth comes an increase in the income of the local population, along with better tax revenue reducing governmental demands on residents of the county, to say nothing of the improvements to our quality of life.

There isn�t very much here in Iron River at present to draw visitors in numbers. What is needed is something which in the entertainment industry is called a "Schtick."

I have presented the problem without any solution to be found on this cover sheet because part and parcel of my bare bones presentation, an introduction to a solution, really wants the reader to think independently about this problem before continuing on to explore my proposed solution.

So please, take a few minutes at least, give this problem some thought, and see what you can come up with. It might very well be much better than my proposal.

Draft C

Iron River�s Cool Cities project handles the basic amenities necessary for progress. The project outlined below will work hand in hand with the Cool Cities Blueprint while it takes the next step necessary to getting Iron River and the surrounding area on the sorts of maps which attract tourism. Additionally, as a direct consequence of increased traffic, this project makes the City of Iron River attractive to new merchant enterprises and the influx of expansion shops by successful business presently operating outside this area.

I looked at many possibilities with the potential of becoming a core tourist attraction for Iron River. Eagle River has an annual snowmobile derby. Iron River has a Rodeo. The snowmobile derby has a bigger draw and longer staying power because it involves the sort of activity easily available to inactive viewing participants. Many, if not most, can afford to buy a snowmobile and use it. There is no reasonably achievable parallel involving the rodeo.

The next best available idea is to present the public with an attraction which would draw tourists already visiting the region into Iron River for a visit. My idea came from a magazine article showing a Kenosha Wisconsin trolley running along the lakefront at 25 cents a ride.

I took that core idea and have expanded on it. Presently no trolley system or any elements exist in Iron River. At every phase of planning, design, construction, and expansion, the public outside Iron County will become interested because of promotions we will build into every activity. Participation by outsiders in a perpetual series PR campaigns is designed to bring interested parties into Iron County not only as people who would eventually ride the system, but will be actively involved in the long term, probably their lifetimes.

Begin with the layout of the phase 1 system. The obvious trolley terminus would be behind the Pasty Corner, or across the street on property currently owned by Krist Oil. Then along the full length of the alley towards the river, with a regular stop at every street crossing as well as behind the library. This route makes all of both main downtown business streets easily accessible to trolley riders and provides a ride clearly much different from any trolley museum to date. Using the alley removes the trolley from interacting with ordinary street traffic in what is the busiest section of town presently as well as in the future. There is very little traffic in the alley. It is underutilized at present.

When we run out of alley, turn right on River Avenue and follow the street for several blocks with at least 2 stops for the RV park. Turn right again at Ross Street to meet the future Commerce Park property. This will serve to integrate the future Commerce Park into the downtown. Proceed to the State Highway and turn south, going past The Station and The Depot. Where the more or less defunct oil terminal exists between the future Commerce Park and the highway, install a terminal and a tourist parking. This will keep most of the "milling around town" tourist traffic out of the downtown streets while making all the shops available to tourists. With two restaurants serving the proposed parking area, this presents an ideal location for a significant parking lot. It must make provisions for large motor homes towing trailers or cars as well as automobiles.

I�ve repetitively driven this route in both directions at various times of day, and never encountered any negative circumstances. It literally takes only a few minutes each time, permitting a number of round trips every business hour.

There are additional routes to be considered as future expansion, including a run to the Museum at Caspian. With such an additional route the directors of the Museum should be encouraged to greatly expand their programs, including conducted tours and circa 1900 workshops where tourists are encouraged to participate. Perhaps a bit of the Williamsburg model can be incorporated there as a tourist attraction.

I would hope to see the line extend to incorporate the park at Ice Lake (how about a concession stand there) and up to Mineral Hills with a nice restaurant, and lake access, there. Perhaps a paddleboat rental concession should be part of a lake access site.

Somewhere along the route we should establish a band shell, with free weekly concerts during the season. The County Fair and Rodeo grounds should be serviced by the system as soon as possible.

To make this a world class operation, drawing tourists from all around the world, part of the completed system should incorporate cogwheel segments along the railway. The uniqueness of such an operation also helps to save a major grading operation "up the hill" and a Mineral Hills route.

Initial rolling stock for phase 1 can be borrowed or leased from one of the existing US trolley museums. Three important features of the plan come into play at this logical juncture.

1. We will need a construction/maintenance facility. There is an ideal structure in place at the future Commerce Park, a tall building of suitable size already containing an overhead gantry crane. This facility should be integrated with an existing trade school in the state of Michigan with the permanent staff consisting of certificated instructors employed by the trade school.
2. Iron River should mount an international competition for the design of the appearance of the rolling stock. The reward to the designers of the winning entries (those slated to eventually actually be built) is their name and city/country permanently displayed on the rolling stock of their design. It is suggested that as many as half a dozen designs, if enough are offered, be approved. I also urge Iron River, or the county, to establish an Arts Council who would be charged with selecting the winning designs, and grow, with the community, into future responsibilities.
3. Space must be allocated for advertising as an integral part of the rolling stock.. The area under the windows externally can be put to good use. Permanent advertising can be sold to large firms wishing to provide a substantial subsidy for the particular railcar. Large card ads can be sold on a periodic basis as well as strips on both sides inside the cars where the wall and ceiling meet. Local Iron River businesses should be granted reduced rates.

Budapest has an interesting cog wheel railway, in part upgraded in design by an uncle of mine. Their model is one we must consider and implement if at all possible. It came to be called "The Children�s Railway" because it is, other than train drivers, operated by high school aged students. There is, naturally, professional supervision.

The program would, in our case, be open to all of Michigan�s Juniors and Seniors in high school. Places will be awarded to those student applicants who have achieved superior grades, have at least two teachers recommending them for the program, and of course have the approval of their parents. We might want to hold a few positions open for students from other regions where railroads or municipal rapid transit systems provide substantial subsidies to our system (discussed elsewhere.)

The good PR generated over the long term by this program borders on immeasurable. The details for class attendance in our local schools needs to be worked out as well as the duration of a student�s stay at Iron River. Each student�s school must be willing to fax weekly lesson plans and assignments so that when the student returns home they�ve managed to keep up with their peers. Housing must also be created, as well as suitable adult supervision.

In Hungary�s case the government funded the entire program, and some percentage of the participating students then elected to make railroading their life career. On this basis it would appear that the larger US railroads might participate in this sort of program by providing subsidies and courses of their own. Our railway will have both railroad and rapid transit elements. As a result of some students deciding on rapid transit careers, we should approach cities with rapid transit systems, such as New York, Chicago, and San Diego, to assist with training future potential employees.

With the competition in all Michigan schools for a position in our municipal railway it is a pretty good bet we�ll draw the interest of parents throughout Michigan. After all, it isn�t that long a drive to get here to look at what their children are hyped up about.

Student participation at the several levels outlined also brings to us funding of sorts not otherwise available.

The design of our infrastructure must be by graduate students at a university within Michigan. Any interested university can easily explain the grant ramifications for themselves, and the positive PR (freely available if properly managed) this brings to both the university and Iron River pretty much explain themselves.

Similarly, the basic mechanical and electrical design for our rolling stock must be done by Michigan graduate students, and built locally at our own facility described above. I would, however, propose an international competition for the traction motor, controls, and truck design. Since over time multiple units will be built we could utilize more than one design while offering in service comparisons during the life of the various units, publishing the results in technical publications deemed appropriate. This will produce even more good PR over longer periods of time.

Having graduate students participate brings them, with their families, to Iron River to visit, not only during the design phase, but for years afterwards, along with their respective families, as they have a personal interest in their work. The trade school students, as well as operating high school students, will remain similarly interested over their lifetimes.

Given an attraction of this sort, it is easy to see that anyone visiting the region and finding themselves within an hour or two drive from Iron River will be tempted to come ride our trolleys. When completed, the cogwheel railway will become its own destination for tourists from around the world. Such attractions have their own worldwide following. Significant enhancements and expansions, when publicized, yield another round of repeat visitors.

A trolley museum in New England offers a "motorman for an hour" program for a fee. We should consider this possibility to increase interest as well as to raise additional revenue.

Revenue and profit/loss from this enterprise is not a consideration at this early juncture and it is likely that it will never be of concern. The premise for setting up the proposed system, complete with future expansions and possible related concessions, is to generate tourism for Iron River with an associated growth in the amount of business in our downtown. Increased tax revenue will make funds available to offset any possible deficit and a well thought out program seeking subsidies will certainly overcome any unforeseen obstacles.

I�ve barely scratched the surface of all the potential and all the possibilities. What is needed now is someone capable of designing and implementing all the promotions on which this program hinges. As the author of this idea I am willing to provide ongoing input as a consultant. I have other ongoing projects at this time.

Should this plan not be deemed suitable for Iron River I think some other UP municipality will be interested in developing the program and reaping the rewards of bringing so many people into the community at every stage of planning, design, and implementation. I realize there may be a reluctance to implement a "trolley system" in this day and age, however the system is merely an interesting hook on which to hang the proverbial hat. Without all the ancillary aspects outlined briefly above , a trolley system in Iron River would be foolish.

If this program is implemented and even expanded the possibilities for progress verge on being limitless.

Written by

Bill Vajk