MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY
WHICH TOOK PLACE ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2008
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL,
Denise Hufford read Roll Call.
PRESENT: DDA MEMBERS – Bo Brines, Mike Hayes, Jon Lynch, Jack McCandless, Marty
McGuire, Sue Rabbage, Ranny Riecker, Jim Stamas, Claudia Wallin
ABSENT: Jenny Anderson,
Paula Liveris, Mark Ruhle
PRESENT: STAFF – Denise Hufford, Keith Baker,
Margaret Maday, Stephanie Szostak, Daryl Poprave
PRESENT: OTHERS –
Tony Kulick (City of Mt. Pleasant, New DDA Director), Rich Pomeroy (Farm Bureau
Insurance and MDBA Representative), John Palen (Midland Issues), Northwood
University Students
Wallin called the meeting to order
at 3:00 p.m.
a)
Approval of past meeting minutes
Motion
to approve the April 9, 2008 meeting minutes by Riecker. Seconded by Hayes.
Approved unanimously.
b)
Financial Reports for March 2008
Maday
presented the April 2008 financial statement. Motion to approve financials by
Riecker. Seconded by McGuire. Approved unanimously.
c)
Reports
a)
Creating Cool Committee
Northwood
University students presented their Downtown Marketing Study.
Wallin
reported on some upcoming downtown events:
·
Tunes by the Tridge
begins June 5, 7-9 pm
·
Artist Market begins
June 5, 5-9 pm
·
Summer of the Dragons
Kick Off Party, June 6, 5-7 pm (3 dragon designs shown)
·
Midland Highland
Festival, June 14
·
Great Lakes Loons
All-Star Game and Activities, June 15-17
·
MCV presents the
Summer Solstice Stroll, June 21
·
Parade your Pet was
held on May 10 and had 95 pets registered for the event. Thank you to Sandy
Clark of I’ve Been Framed for all her work chairing this event.
Riecker
suggested that the DDA promote the Farmer’s Market when promoting their
downtown events. Wallin and Hufford agreed. Lynch will check on the city
website.
b)
Design Committee
Baker reported
that the Riverfront survey is now available and the DDA is seeking the
community’s input on the redevelopment of the riverfront plan. Survey is
available online at www.downtownmidland.com
and in the Midland Daily News. Surveys due May 23, 2008.
Baker
reported that the bench replacement program is to have started this week with
replacement of the wood material with a composite material and posts to be
painted red to match the wayfinding signage.
Baker
reported that the kiosk project is moving forward. Three kiosks have been
ordered to be placed – one at the Farmer’s Market, one in front of Daddy O’s,
and one on the corner of Main and Ashman.
Wallin
reported that an ad hoc committee has been formed for the Riverfront project.
Mrs. Riecker has agreed to chair this committee.
Szostak
updated the board on the downtown flower displays. Spring bulbs are up and will
soon be taken down for the annual flowers, weather dependent. Corner beds
should be planted by Friday, May 23 with long beds planted after the Memorial
Day parade. Portable pots will be placed next week along with the hanging
baskets.
Riecker
commented on how beautiful the flowers are this year. Stamas asked about the
success of the soil treatment. Szostak responded that she won’t know for sure
until she sees how the first flats of flowers perform.
c)
Organization Committee
Baker
introduced the new Executive Director of the DDA as Tony Kulick. Kulick thanked
the board and reported that he is excited to get to Midland and get started.
d)
Economic Restructuring Committee
Hayes
reported on available property downtown. Nine properties are available for
lease and one property for sale. Paper Jems will be transitioning to an online
store and vacating their Main Street property.
Hayes reported
that the committee is discussing hiring a retail recruitment firm to help the
DDA and possibly the Chamber of Commerce match our market with retailers
interested in opening in a downtown area.
Hope to report at next DDA board meeting.
Hayes
reported that the committee passed an action item that needs to be discussed
and possibly updated before being voted on by the board. A developer is
interested in possibly building some downtown housing, but needs some updated
data. The data from last year’s Hamilton Anderson Redevelopment and Design
study is 12 months old and with all the changes in the housing market they feel
it’s important to get some updated and in in-depth understanding and data of
the downtown housing market. Committee felt it was a great idea, but since
yesterday Hayes has found through Baker that the Housing Commission is also
interested in this data. Would like to do this study, but without overlapping
of work
Baker
commented that the Housing Commission is looking for a housing market study and
even though they will be looking at two different areas, there will be some
overlapping of the demographic data. Baker feels it would be beneficial to work
together on a housing study that will “kill two birds with one stone” to gather
information for both the Housing Commission and the DDA.
Hayes
moved that we proceed with the updated economic housing study by Hamilton
Anderson Associates in conjunction with and in cooperation with the Housing
Commission and with authorization for Keith Baker and himself to spend up to
$10,000 for that additional research on the part of Hamilton Anderson.
McCandless
seconded.
McGuire
asked if the $10,000 is DDA money or Housing money. Hayes responded that it
would be up to $10,000 of DDA money and it is available in the DDA budget.
Depending on the partnership with the Housing Commission the final cost to the
DDA may be less.
Lynch
commented that integrating the research and outcomes is very important.
Developing downtown has been a cornerstone of the DDA plan. City Council has a
strong interest in providing housing at different price points. The data will
be the same for part of the research. So integrating the discussion and the
research is good for the downtown and good for the community.
Hayes
also commented that there are a number of developers interested in this
information and the results of this study would be available to all developers,
which is the role of government and the DDA to help facilitate this type of
development. Lynch wants to make sure the market is there before units are
built and also be sure to not have new housing units compete with existing
housing.
Rabbage
asked if developers will want this data updated each year. Riecker modified the
question to ask if the study will look at more than just current conditions,
but will focus on prospective conditions. Hayes responded that the study will
be prospective and should hopefully last into the future.
Action
item passed unanimously.
e)
Midland Downtown Business Association
Rich
Pomeroy reported on upcoming MDBA events. June 1 is Music on Main Street – a
Sunday stroll organized by Molly’s Bistro, July 10-12 will be Main Street
Marketplace, kicked up Sidewalk Sales, July 29 the MDBA will hold their annual
dinner to present legacy awards, Business person of the year, and Volunteer of
the year awards.
Rich also
wanted to thank the DDA from himself and his wife for their support of his 2nd
story apartment project. Open Houses will be held on June 5 from 4-8 pm and on
June 7 from 12-3 pm to show off their new apartment above Willow at 131 E. Main
St.
Rich
suggested that help with architects and their fees might also be helpful,
especially in the zoning process. Hayes asked if working with the City was a
learning process and if a checklist would be helpful? Rich responded that a
“Cliff Notes” for developers would have been very helpful.
Public Comments
None.
Old Business
None.
New Business
None.
Adjourn
There was
no further business to come before the Board. Hayes moved that the meeting be
adjourned. McGuire seconded. Meeting adjourned at 4:10 p.m.