St. Clair Shores Blossom Heath Activity Pier

Project Description

Over the years the City of St. Clair Shores has done much to enhance the area around the historic Blossom Heath Inn on Jefferson Avenue’s Nautical Mile, but nothing was done behind the inn to revitalize an underused and unattractive park and fishing pier. That all changed with the renovation of Blossom Heath Park and the construction of the Blossom Heath Activity Pier, a $10 million project that extended the city’s fishing pier 395 feet into Lake St. Clair. Pier construction was initiated in 2021 through the City’s Tax Increment Finance Authority (TIFA), with unanimous support from City Council and the community. The pier opened to the public on May 6, 2023, offering access to the lake by people of all ages and abilities. Since opening, the pier has been enjoyed by thousands who are walking, fishing, or simply taking in the breathtaking 180-degree views.

Is your project easy to replicate in other communities (clear in its impact and execution for other communities)?

While not every community has the expansive access to water that St. Clair Shores enjoys, the replicability of the project is in its collaboration between elected and appointed officials, city administration and an army of volunteers. Construction of the Blossom Heath Activity Pier began in 2021 but visioning for the project commenced years earlier. The City’s Tax Increment Finance Authority, an 11-member volunteer board appointed by City Council and the oversight body for the renown Nautical Mile, began planning the transformation of Blossom Heath Park in 2017 through the facilitation of MKSK Studios. At the table were appointed members of the TIFA, elected officials, city staff, and community volunteers who recognized the future value of an underutilized park.

A series of visioning sessions – often held at the park for inspiration – led to important conversations about different, and frequently, competing priorities. The differences served to foster new ideas on how to ensure the investment of the community at large. The end result, however, was consensus around goals and opportunities for both the park and the pier. Support from the community buoyed the Council’s decision to bond for the cost of the project, a $10 million commitment. TIFA continues to repay the bond. And the region is the benefactor of their efforts.

Residents are thrilled to have this community asset. What was once unkept and uninviting is now a recreation destination. It offers so much to the community and those who are not boaters can go out on the pier and have a spectacular 180-degree view of the lake. It gives the City of St. Clair Shores a new sense of identity along it’s well-known Nautical Mile.

What is the Community Wealth Impact (based on one or more of the categories you selected) of your project?

Researchers have long held the theory that access to nature is good for both physical and mental health. COVID reinforced their hypothesis and the reinvention of public spaces rose in both urgency and importance because of the pandemic.

The St. Clair Shores Blossom Heath Activity Pier construction launched in 2021 and was completed in 2023. Since opening the pier has become the crowning jewel of Blossom Heath Park. It features many amenities. A smooth paver walkway with trees placed between attractive tables, chairs and benches encourages visitors to spend time enjoying the beauty of Lake St. Clair. Educational signage informs the public about the history of the area and the lake ecosystem. The railings are uniquely designed with the safety of guests in mind allowing for safe access by guests of all ages and abilities. True to its roots, this remains a fabulous fishing pier with areas designed to accommodate just that.

The ability to recreate along the calming waters of Lake St. Clair has proved to be just what the doctor ordered. While boaters have long enjoyed time on the water, the pier offers the same opportunity for those who are not boaters. Thousands have visited the pier since opening. Events held in Blossom Heath Park bring people from around the region to enjoy the festivities and spend time in nature. The increased numbers of visitors to the Nautical Mile have also resulted in an economic boost to area restaurants and businesses through increased patronage.

Expansive access to the lake has also raised the consciousness of both residents and leaders of St. Clair Shores about the quality of the water. Man made and natural threats to lake health are widespread but since most of the coastline throughout St. Clair Shores is privately owned, it is easy to ignore the large body of water along the eastern border. Awareness of the importance of the water to the community’s quality of life has amplified the importance of managing this natural resource to ensure harmonious development, protect animal and plant species native to the area and improve coastal resiliency.

Describe the creativity and originality of your project.

The originality of the St. Clair Shores Blossom Heath Activity Pier lies is in its key location along the shores of Lake St. Clair. The city is located approximately 13 miles northeast of downtown Detroit. St. Clair Shores was largely a cottage community until after World War II, quickly developing from a resort community to a mature suburban city.

The Blossom Heath Activity Pier is located behind one of the City’s oldest landmarks – the Blossom Heath Inn. A Michigan Historical Marker describes the building origins as follows: “Matthew Kramer, a hotelier and yachtsman, built this roadhouse in 1911, naming it the Kramerhof. In 1920 the building was sold to William McIntosh, who renamed it the Blossom Heath Inn and added two large wings, which included an ornate ballroom. Blossom Heath was one of the most luxurious roadhouses in Michigan. Nationally known big bands, such as Ben Pollack’s drew people from Detroit and Canada. Blossom Heath became notorious for illegal drinking and gambling during Prohibition and the Depression. After McIntosh’s death in 1930, the roadhouse was run by his heirs. By the late 1930s, the heyday of roadhouses was over, and in 1943 Blossom Heath was sold. The building fell into disuse, but in 1946 the village of St. Clair Shores purchased it. On May 19, 1946, it reopened as a civic center with village offices in the north wing. It became the St. Clair Shores Recreation Center in 1957.” The city returned the building to its former use, and more recently to its former glory. Today Blossom Heath Inn is the location for special events and community meetings.

Because of its location as a community gathering spot, it was envisioned that the pier would become a natural extension of that use. Sited perpendicular to the Inn and extending an additional 395 feet into Lake St. Clair, the pier draws crowds from around the region to enjoy the stunning 180 degree views up and down the lake. From the end of the pier, windmills are visible to the south along the Canadian shore and on clear days New Baltimore, at the northern tip of Macomb County, is visible in the distance.