New Coke sign highlight of downtown Albion renovation

Albion Coca-Cola Sign

Albion's Coca-Cola sign is one of three beautification projects headed by Linda Kolmodin and Janet Domingo. Courtesy photo from Lind Kolmodin.Linda Kolmodin

ALBION, MI - Linda Kolmodin has lived in Albion for the better part of four decades. Born and raised in North Muskegon, she settled in the southeastern Michigan city in 1981.

Kolmodin stayed as jobs left the city when the former Albion Malleable Iron Company closed in 2002, and when roughly 40 percent of the downtown commercial space became vacant last year.

While local business leaders committed to a $25 million downtown revitalization investment last December, she and Janet Domingo started their own parallel beautification project.

Their focus is to repaint the Coca-Cola sign that looks over the Kalamazoo River. In addition, they plan to commission a mural that honors the city’s foundry past, as well as a statue that commemorates T-Ball inventor and Albion native Jerry Sacharski.

Their goal, they said, is to “add to the attractiveness of the downtown as storefronts are restored, new businesses open on Superior Street and residents feel increased pride in our community.”

The “Restore Our Coke Sign” fundraiser, was initially funded by a $50,000 grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation for all three beautification projects. Kolmodin said she’s hopeful her donation campaign can match that.

“It pairs up beautifully," she said about the project next to the downtown business investment. “It’s adding to the feeling in the community that it’s important to revitalize the downtown’s past. We’re finding support from both outside and inside the community.”

They have raised more than $30,000 with 33 days left until donations close. Kolmodin said the plan is to introduce the projects by next September’s Festival of Forks.

You can donate here.

The mural highlighting Albion’s manufacturing industry will be drawn by Kimber Thompson, who will base the art off of 1951 paintings by Albion College students of the foundries. The statue will depict a 6-year-old boy playing T-Ball.

Kolmodin points to Bill Dobbins, president of the Albion Reinvestment Corporation and Caster Concepts, Inc., as a high-profile supporter of the initiative. While not personally involved, he said ARC has made some of the donations.

“Any project that ‘cleans up’ the downtown area positively impacts the downtown and the entire community,” Dobbins said. “The ‘Coke Sign’ is an iconic landmark in the downtown, so this will be something that catches everyone’s eye that travels through.”

Dobbins also points to the new lofts and businesses built downtown in the last five years, such as the Albion Malleable Brewery and Bohm Theater. The Ludington Center, built within the last three years, has five storefronts that serve as a college/community space by Albion College.

“There has been approximately $20 million invested in downtown Albion over the past five years,” he said, adding that he hopes the next investment will be a “tipping point” that draws in more outside businesses.

Kolmodin looks at her project and the new businesses as the initial signs of the city’s rebirth.

“We are on the rise,” she said. “For the first time since I’ve been here, I see the optimism in the community and where we’re going.”

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