STURGIS – A ribbon cutting ceremony was held Wednesday afternoon for the newest addition to the North Street and Parking Lot projects in downtown Sturgis.

Sturgis City officials and community members gathered behind the Wings Etc. restaurant to help unveil a gas fireplace that was installed by the City. Sturgis City Manager Mike Hughes says a fireplace was part of the original plan for the space, but when they bid it out it came in quite a bit over. They decided to put it on hold and try to come up with something that would cost less money.

Hughes says it took two years to work through the plans of what they wanted to do and find community partners. The City joined with Wings Etc., the Sturgis Area Community Foundation and the Sturgis Downtown Development Authority, with each entity contributing funding to help make the project happen. Hughes says projects like this are a good thing for Sturgis. He says it's a unique and competitive advantage for Sturgis to do these kinds of projects and hold events in these areas. He says they have tried to think hard on how to used these areas and what kinds of events to hold and they have been successful.

Hughes says the fire place will be on in the evenings and during downtown events. Both the City and Wings Etc. will be able to turn the fireplace on and off.