Mendon’s overlook deck celebrated

The site of a one-time eyesore in downtown Mendon that now provides a pristine view of a county treasure was celebrated Tuesday.
Mendon’s village and Downtown Development Authority officials took part in a ceremonial ribbon-cutting of the St. Joseph River Overlook Deck.
Though the 32-by-48-foot deck has been completed since August, village manager John Hyden said Tuesday’s dedication was staged to coincide with the Oct. 4 date of the fire that decimated the village 100 years ago.
The $47,000 deck was paid for by the Mendon DDA. The village acquired the property and its building – a former resale shop that Hyden called an eyesore – for $3,500 through a tax sale.
Construction started in early July and was completed by mid-August. It features three picnic tables and is supported by 32 posts.