Muskegon: Hog Heaven

Monday, May 14, 2007 2007
By Karen Gentry
MiBiz

Downtown Muskegon could soon be known as West Michigan’s Hog Heaven.

Giving credence to the claim is the fact that a new renaissance effort in the city’s central business district includes a 10-acre development on Shoreline Drive anchored by Hot Rod Harley-Davidson. Plus, city leaders are backing a new annual festival that will open the gates of Muskegon to motorcycle riders from across the nation.

Hogs for sale

The $3.5 million Hot Rod Harley-Davidson development is an especially delightful coup for downtown Muskegon, according to Muskegon Director of Planning and Economic Development Cathy Brubaker-Clarke. She said many retailers want to be close to U.S. 31 or Lakes Mall, but the owners of Hot Rod Harley-Davidson made the decision to relocate from their current location on Ottawa Street to Shoreline Drive in the heart of downtown Muskegon.

"They’re sending a message to other folks that it’s a good time to invest in downtown Muskegon," Brubaker-Clark told MiBiz.

Also worthy of note is that one of the motorcycle dealership owners is a Grand Rapids physician, Dr. Mark Campbell. He and Carl Miskotten bought the Hot Rod Harley-Davidson dealership in 2005 and purchased about eight acres on Shoreline Drive from the city of Muskegon for their new store and showroom. The city retained two acres for a new fire station.

Part of the dealership’s purchase agreement in 2005 was to commit to constructing a new facility and to relocating within 18 months, according to Hot Rod Harley-Davidson General Manager Paul Winter.

"The city of Muskegon and Mayor Steve Warmington himself convinced us we could become a destination dealership if we stayed in downtown instead of moving near an interstate," Winter told MiBiz.

Hot Rod Harley-Davidson’s new 40,000-square-foot facility includes two levels that will incorporate a lot of glass, creating a spectacular view of Muskegon Lake from the showroom. A large parking lot will include space for the dealer’s Rider’s Edge training program for new riders. The contractor is Muskegon Construction Co. with architectural services provided by Grand Rapids-based Owen-Ames-Kimball Co.

Winter said the owners are working with interested parties to sell or lease the remaining property, although no tenant agreements are final.

Hot Rod Harley-Davidson has already developed a reputation for selling a lot of bikes. Under the new ownership, sales have jumped from 100 motorcycles to about 300 annually. The Muskegon dealership regularly exceeds a Harley-Davidson allocation for motorcycles, leading to the purchase of inventory from other dealers. The shop also sells a full line of clothing and motorcycle accessories.

Hot Rod Harley-Davidson’s new location should be open in late June or early July, just in time for the inaugural run of Muskegon’s newest festival - the Muskegon Bike Time.

Here come the Hogs

Muskegon community leaders have high hopes for the Muskegon Bike Time, an annual event that will take place July 20-22.

"Muskegon is just the perfect location in mid-America to become a destination motorcycle event," said Winter. "It is our hope this becomes an annual event."

Similar celebrations in Daytona, Fla., Sturgis, Mich. and Laughlin, Nev. attract hundreds of thousands of riders, creating a huge economic impact.

A national promoter has been hired for the Muskegon Bike Ride. The festival will be led by honorary chairman Mayor Steve Warmington and is backed by the Muskegon Convention & Visitor Bureau, city of Muskegon and numerous business sponsors.

Weekend events include national music acts, a Blessing of the Bikes and a 20-mile ride to Bridgeton that will be led by Warmington. Motorcycle jumper Bubba Blackwell will do a 70-foot jump and two thrill shows and Starboyz headline another jump show. Western Avenue will be blocked off for motorcycles only.

Central Station – Muskegon Fire Department

The new Harley Davidson dealership is only one part of the rebirth taking place on that 10-acre parcel lining Shoreline Drive. Another is the $3.5 million Muskegon Fire Department Central Station under construction on Terrace Street. Firefighters hope to move into the two-story brick facility in early August, according to Mark Kincaid, Muskegon’s deputy director of public safety for fire services. The structure will replace the existing fire station on West Walton.

Architects Muskegon-based Hooker/DeJong Architects and Cincinnati-based Cole Russell designed the building with a brick tower to resemble an old-time fire station, Kincaid said. General contractor for the project is Grand Rapids-based Beckering Advisors.

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This article appeared in the May 14, 2007 issue of MiBiz, read by upper management executives in West and Southwest Michigan. Print subscriptions are free to qualified individuals who do business in West and Southwest Michigan. For further information about MiBiz, visit www.mibiz.com.