City Square project underway.

IRONWOOD – Construction crews broke ground Thursday to start the summer-long project of building the Downtown City Square in Ironwood.  The project will include landscaping and green space, an amphitheater for music and outdoor theater, a splash pad that can double as a winter ice rink, food truck and vendor areas, an outdoor fireplace, solar and environmental features, outdoor seating, benches, and tables. The space will host community events and continue serving as the “Finnish Line” for the annual Sisu Ski Fest.  The project is scheduled to be completed at the end of September.  The City Square is intended to be a year-round space to attract more people to the city and to the downtown and part of a larger effort to create amenities that attract more families to live and work in Ironwood.  The project is funded through Community Development Block Grant dollars from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.  The city’s $191,850 portion is for land acquisition.  Ruotsala Construction, the contractor for the $1.47 million project.