A City's Pride in its Past is Celebrated by MDOT!

BAY CITY-- Another of Michigan's historic treasures was celebrated today in Bay City. One and a half miles of M-25, or Center Avenue, as it is better known, received the honor of being designated as a Michigan Historic Heritage Route.

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Regional Engineer, Larry Tibbits, who oversees the 13-county Bay Region, was joined by Bay City Mayor Michael Buda, representatives of the Convention & Visitor's Bureau, the Center Avenue Heritage Route Committee and other local officials, in designating the route and unveiling the roadside Heritage Route sign.

"The Heritage Route program is a very real example of local groups working in partnership with state government to complete a project important to the local community," said Tibbits. "The Heritage Route Program is a grass-roots program. The Bay City community has made a commitment to preserving this historic roadside; and through this program, we have made the same commitment."

The Heritage Route program is a grass-roots initiative offering communities the opportunity to maintain their identity and values by preserving the historic resources, natural beauty and recreational opportunities along Michigan's state highways. The program also encourages communities to form new local and governmental partnerships and to enhance the community's role in the growing tourism industry through promotion of the Heritage Route.