Mayor's Corner

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA! 

The City has planned a fantastic celebration in honor of America’s 250th anniversary, starting Wednesday, July 1st with the Sea Cruisers band at G.A.R Island Park from 5pm-7pm. Events continue through the week and will include live music, a beer tent, children’s games, a parade, and a grand finale fireworks display on Saturday. Check the city’s website for the full schedule or stop into City Hall for a program. We are grateful to all of our sponsors for this event, as we would not be able to provide such a great time if not for their generosity and support.

We anticipate that Taco Bell will be open, or very close to opening very soon. We know many residents are looking forward to welcoming this new business to our community. Remember to offer them grace and patience while they adjust to opening a new store with new employees. It’s exciting to have them in Eaton Rapids!

E. Knight Street has reopened, and Phase 2 of the project is expected to begin soon. This phase will include E. Knight Street from East to Donegal, as well as Center Street to Hamlin. The work is being completed through a separate grant opportunity from the initial phase, which is why it could not be scheduled at the same time as the first portion of the project.

The water project continues and work on additional streets will begin soon. Residents who would like to know whether their street is included in the project may visit the City’s website for more information or contact me directly, and I will be happy to provide a map and schedule. There will be a new sewer line installed down State Street to Smithville Rd in anticipation of a new housing development. We will post more information as that project gets closer to scheduling.

The City was recently awarded two grants from Eaton County Parks totaling $10,000. These funds will support landscaping improvements at Milo Stewart Park, also known as Pocket Park next to City Hall, and the purchase of a 17-foot kayak trailer for the Outdoor Recreation Center. Since these grants were first offered, the City has been awarded funding each year, totaling more than $270,000. We appreciate Eaton County Park’s offering these funding opportunities so we can make important upgrades to our own parks.

Have a safe and Happy Independence Day! 

Mayor Pam Colestock 

Happy summer, Eaton Rapids! 

There is a great deal happening throughout the city, particularly with several construction projects underway. We understand that delays and detours can be inconvenient, and we sincerely appreciate your patience as this work moves forward. Once completed, we hope these improvements will prove to be well worth the temporary disruption. 

City Council will consider adoption of the 2026–2027 fiscal year budget at its June 8th meeting. Our Budget Committee has worked diligently to develop a secure and stable budget, and residents are welcome to review a copy on the City’s website or stop by City Hall to request one. We value your input and encourage you to share any feedback prior to the June 8th meeting. 

June 6th marks our Summer Kickoff, sponsored by the Eaton Rapids Arts Council and the Downtown Development Authority. The Community Market begins that day and will continue each Saturday through September 26th. We hope you will take time to visit our wonderful vendors and enjoy the many activities planned, including Art in the Park, the 2nd Annual Wooden Boat Show, and more. Please visit the City’s Facebook page for additional details. 

The Eaton County Land Bank continues to work with a consultant to develop a Request for Proposal (RFP) for prospective contractors to bid on the demolition and environmental cleanup of the former Horner Mill site. Our goal is to make the most effective use of the funding awarded through Congressman Tom Barrett’s office while also pursuing additional resources needed to complete the project.

As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns at pcolestock@cityofeatonrapids.gov or by phone at 517-410-9472. 

Mayor Pam Colestock  

I hope you are getting ready for a busy but fun spring in Eaton Rapids! We have many projects and events planned for this month. 

We have the return of Urban Air, May 7th-10th. There won’t be as many campers as last fall, but we will still have a lot of activities, including the beer tent with entertainment Thursday-Saturday. Friday is “eat local” where we are encouraging our camping friends along with the community to participate in any of our wonderful restaurants. Last fall, many of our restaurants reported record sales during Urban Air, so let’s do that again! 

E. Knight Street resurfacing from Main to East starts May 11th, weather permitting. This work could take until June 30th to complete. Please use caution traveling this street and use any detours that may be in place. We know it’s an inconvenience, but it will be well worth it to get this street resurfaced. 

Memorial Day activities start on Saturday, May 23 at 9am at Rosehill Cemetery where we will be placing flags at veteran’s graves. If you would like to help, meet us at the back of the cemetery where the maintenance shop is located. ER Lions Club will be doing a clean-up of the Perennial Park in the cemetery on Wednesday, May 20th at 5pm. If anyone wants to join them, just show up with a rake and gloves. 

On Monday, May 25th we will have the annual Memorial Day ceremonial parade starting at 11am. Please Note: the parade route has changed. Participants will line up on S. River Street, proceeding to State Street, then to Main Street, and proceed north on Main to E. Knight (pending construction). Residents who typically view the parade south of State Street are encouraged to relocate closer to downtown, or you will miss the parade. This event is intentionally smaller than the July 4th parade and is a solemn ceremony honoring our fallen veterans. A brief ceremony will follow the parade at G.A.R. Island Park. Those interested in participating in this year’s parade are welcome to contact me at pcolestock@cityofeatonrapids.gov. 

There is a Plant & Seed Exchange planned for Sunday, May 3rd at Howe Field, Pavilion #2 from 9am-12pm. This has been a popular event that has grown over the last few years. The event is free to attend, just show up and connect with other garden enthusiasts! 

As always, please contact me with any questions or concerns at pcolestock@cityofeatonrapids.gov or by phone at 517-410-9472. 

Mayor Pam Colestock 

Happy April!

As shared in last month’s newsletter, several city infrastructure projects are underway. You have likely noticed contractors working throughout the city to install new water mains. While construction can be disruptive, these improvements are essential to ensuring reliable and safe infrastructure for years to come. We will continue to update you as schedules change, but if you ever want to know if your street is affected, please check the city’s website, or Facebook page. That is the quickest way as we are posting updates as they happen.

The E. Knight Street resurfacing project is scheduled for May. An exact date has not yet been confirmed, but updates will be shared promptly via the City’s Facebook page, website, and newsletter. The project will be completed in phases, beginning with E. Knight Street from Main Street to East Street, followed by East to Donegal, and Center to Hamlin. Because these phases are funded through separate grants, construction may not occur simultaneously; however, we remain hopeful that the work can be coordinated efficiently. We also have street work starting on Hollowridge Drive, and J.P. Sullivan Drive in the north industrial park. This work was funded by a State of Michigan grant specific for this area.

The Memorial Day Committee is preparing for the Memorial Day parade and ceremony, which will take place on Monday, May 25, beginning at 11am. This year’s parade route has changed. Participants will line up on S. River Street, proceeding to State Street, then to Main Street, and north on Main to E. Knight (pending construction). Residents who typically view the parade south of State Street are encouraged to relocate closer to downtown. This event is intentionally smaller than the July 4th parade and is a solemn ceremony honoring our fallen veterans. A brief ceremony will follow at G.A.R. Island Park. Those interested in participating in this year’s parade are welcome to contact me at pcolestock@cityofeatonrapids.gov.

Additionally, flags will be placed at veteran’s graves at Rosehill Cemetery on Saturday, May 23rd, beginning at 9am. Volunteers are welcome and appreciated.  

As always, please contact me with any questions or concerns at pcolestock@cityofeatonrapids.gov or by phone at 517-410-9472. 

Mayor Pam Colestock 

Spring is almost here at Eaton Rapids! With that you will start seeing several projects happening within the City. Our Drinking Water project that we talked extensively about last year, has started so you will see a lot of activity with that project on-going throughout the year. We have some major street resurfacing projects as well as patching and repairs starting soon (weather permitting). Our DDA (Downtown Development Authority) is planning a Downtown Beautification sometime in late April and would love volunteers. If you are interested in helping, please contact me.

The City of Eaton Rapids will hold its’ annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 28^th at 11am at Martin Hansen Amphitheater/Park. This is typically a well-attended event, and we invite kids of all ages to attend and get your picture taken with the Easter Bunny!

I want to apologize for incorrectly stating the name of the new Deli & Bakery in the last newsletter. Simply Stacy’s Bakery & Deli, located at 115 S. Main Street, officially opened on February 23^rd and hope you all stop by and give them a try.

The annual State of the City address will be given at the March 9^th City Council meeting, instead of in February. Residents are invited to attend in person or watch online. As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns at pcolestock@cityofeatonrapids.gov or by phone at 517-410-9472.

Have a great March ER!

Mayor Pam Colestock

As we continue to navigate the challenges of winter weather, I want to remind residents of the proper process for reporting utility issues. If you experience a problem with water, sewer or electrical services, please contact City Hall directly. Although many turn to Facebook for quick updates, reporting issues on social media can delay response times. Our DPW team does not monitor Facebook, so notifying City Hall promptly, even outside normal business hours, is essential.

• Business Hours (Monday-Friday) 517-663-8118.
• After Hours/Weekend Utility Emergency- 517-231-6514

We have updated information regarding Urban Air. This year’s event will take place May 7-10, rather than early October. While the event will be slightly smaller, it promises to remain an enjoyable experience. Additionally, we are planning a Fall Festival for early October. This year is especially significant as we mark America’s 250^th birthday, and we are planning an expanded celebration for July 4th. More details will be shared as planning continues, and volunteers are welcome to assist for any of our events. Please reach out to me if you are interested.

As many of you have noticed, the former SSB Bank Building has been demolished to make way for the highly anticipated Taco Bell. While a completion date has not been announced,  updates will be provided as they become available.

We are excited to welcome several new businesses to our downtown. Stacy’s Deli and Bakery will open at 115 S. Main Street in February, followed by Gold Thimble Quilt Shop at 217 S. Main Street in March. Wildest Dreams Designs opened in early December. These additions represent positive growth for our downtown and I encourage you to support and welcome them.

Our Community Market will return in early June. Those interested in participating as vendors are encouraged to contact Jake Forquer at jforquer@cityofeatonrapids.gov or you can call (517) 237-3790.

Finally, I will deliver the annual State of the City address at the February 23^rd City Council meeting. Residents are invited to attend in person or watch online. As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns at pcolestock@cityofeatonrapids.gov or by phone at 517-410-9472.

Mayor Pam Colestock