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muskegon
BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
Downtown Muskegon Business Improvement District
Meeting Agenda
May 28, 2019
380 Western Ave., Suite 202 Muskegon, MI at 4 PM
1) Call to Order
2) Consent Agenda
a) Approval of Agenda
b) Approval of Minutes from the meeting Nov. 27, 2018
c) Acceptance of financial statements as of April 30, 2019 and review financial position
d) Formal vote on 2019 landscaping LOU with city DPW from March 26
e) Formal vote on 2019 planter agreement with Barry's Flowers from March 26
3) Public Comment (on an agenda item)
4) New Business
a) Future landscaping support request from the city for Midtown/Third Street
b) DMN/DDA merger update/impact on the BID administration-staffing
c) BID meeting location going forward
d) Suggested BID board replacements for Clyde Whitehouse for city commission action
e) Future of the BID beyond 2020
5) Other Business
a) Downtown project update
b) Next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday July 23, 2019 4 p.m. chamber training room,
380 W. Western Ave. Suite 202, Muskegon, MI or at the call of the chair. Request to
move it to July 30, same time and place.
6) Adjournment
To: BID board members
From: Dave Alexander, DMN executive director
Re: BID agenda notes for 5-28-19
Date: 5-24-19
Here are my comments and background on the agenda items for your next
meeting Tuesday May 28, 2019, 4 p.m. at the training room of the Muskegon
Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce, 380 W. Western Suite 202.
Financial report: Please find the financial report from the city finance department
on the BID as of May 24. It shows you received $145,301 in special assessments
for 2019 and | expect a final payment in the coming weeks from the county for
delinquent taxpayers. Expenditures are currently tracking your annual budget.
You began your year with about $50,000 in fund balance and | expect that will be
pretty much where you begin 2020. A certain amount needs to be retained to
protect yourself against tax defaulted properties that you might have to repay the
county collected assessments for its delinquent tax bond. With the interest in
downtown property, | doubt any delinquent tax properties would go through tax
sale and not be bought, thus relieving you of repaying the county for the BID
assessments. If the BID does not go beyond 2020, the board will need to look at
what you want to do with the remaining fund balance.
Formal votes: Because you did not have quorum at your March meeting, |
received informal authorization to go forward with the city landscaping letter of
understanding and the Barry Flower planter agreement and as directed through
email. You will need to formally approve those agreements for this summer and
they are in your packet.
Midtown landscaping: Midtown/Third Street commercial district will receive a
new streetscape this fall that includes landscape beds at the intersection bump
outs, please see the included details. City DPW Director Leo Evans asks that the
BID pick up the ongoing cost of the landscaping maintenance, estimated at
$2,000. | ask that the BID board approve that future expenditure from fund
balance. The cost will not be incurred until the 2020 spring-summer-fall season.
BID staffing: The BID pays DMN $25,000 for my staff services to the BID
and to
support the overall work of DMN. The agreement through 2020 is included
in the
packet. In the DMN-DDA merger, DMN will end Operations July 1. | will become
the executive director of the DDA. | would suggest that | continue providi
ng staff
services in my new role. | need to know what kind of agreement is
needed with
the DDA/city for the next year and a half.
BID meeting location: With my new position with the city, | believe | will
have
meeting-minute assistance from city planning staff. If that is the case,
| would
suggest we change our meeting location to the main floor confere
nce room
across from the city commission chambers.
BID board opening: With Clyde Whitehouse leaving the BID board, | have
suggested to the city clerk that his position be filled with a new appoint
ment
through the end of 2020. Doug Pollock and | welcome any suggested nominee
s,
knowing that the new member must be a BID payer or representing a BID payer.
Doug and| will pass those suggestions along to the clerk who will work
with city
commission on making the appointment.
Future of the BID beyond 2020: You need to continue this conversa
tion. The
quicker you can make a recommendation to the city commission as to whether
the BID should continue or not the better. If the BID continues, we can then begin
to make a recommendation to commission on district size, number of
years, rate
of assessment and budget/work plan.
Downtown reports: | have included in your packet the April and May DDA-DM
N
downtown reports | now produce. Let me know if you have any question
s.
Downtown Muskegon Business Improvement District
Meeting Minutes
Nov. 27, 2018
380 Western Ave., Suite 202 Muskegon, MI at 4 PM
1) Call to Order: 4:01 PM
Attendance: Clyde Whitehouse, Bob Tarrant, Gary Post (Vig Ghai), John Riegler,
Bruce Lindstrom and Doug Pollock (Chairman) ,
Excused Absent(s): Phyllis Watson-Laudermill, terson and Mike Hennessy.
Guests: Dave Alexander, Downtown Muskegon Now director aren Benson of GROW,
Dennis Lohman.
2) Consent Agenda
a) Approval of Agenda, m
statements as of Aug. fithout a quorum at the Sept. 25,
2018 meeting, approval of moval plan for 2018-19.
Motion: John Rieg
déd an update on the Downtown Muskegon Now and Downtown
ority merger that was agreed to among the two boards. There was a
general discussion and how the BID might fit into the new downtown management and
policy-making arrangement. The increase in downtown resources through the DDA is
a good issue to face. Alexander said it was anticipated that he would move his work
from DMN to the DDA, remain in his current location and continue to provide staff
services to the BID. Details will become clearer as DMN and the DDA move toward an
anticipated July 1 merger.
b) Dave Alexander presented the 2019 BID budget. It is a status quo spending plan
from 2018. He suggested continuing as if the merger was not going to happen and
1
then readjust if need be after July 1. The budget showed $161,647 in anticipated
revenues down due to unfavorable Michigan Tax Tribunal decisions for the BID.
The spending plan for was reduced to $161,647 with a $3,147 contingency. The
major cut was done in the marketing, events and promotion line item reduced to
$15,500. The estimated fund balance at the end of 2018 was approximately
$50,000.
Motion to approve the 2019 budget: Doug Pollock
Support: Bob Tarrant
Vote: All voted in favor
c) Dave Alexander gave an update on the new com unity Christmas Tree for Hackley
Park. The BID contributed $5,000 from its 2019 streetscape fund and committed
$5,000 from its 2019 streetscape fund. The'tree was unveiled for this season at the
Nov. 24 community tree lighting eve
issue of planter locations for this sur
61 planters, a consensus formed to m
and Third Street and place them along
Clay Avenue at Jefferson.
contract with Christmas Crea
used the past Ww:
‘having the board meet every other
n the ri Lakeshore Chamber of
report on Holidays in the City and the marketing efforts DMN is
taking on behal > BID to support downtown retailing this Christmas season.
$2,500 of the mai ng, events and promotion budget cover those expenses. No
action was taken.
6) Adjournment
4:59 PM
No Objection
Minutes produced and submitted by Dave Alexander, executive director of Downtown
Muskegon Now.
07 ao °
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PROM 297-70803-5201 10 297-70803-5352
TRANSACTIONS FROM 01/91/2019 TO 05/31/2019
Reference # Debits
BEG. BALANCE
35005 225.06
35006 4,110.00
1808 2,200.00
35603 2, 086,00
(34837 2,280,00
38744 228.00
1,210.00 BEALE
T9058, 28
124,5
425,28
926,372 58
227,482.58
427,707.50
a2t, 707.5
ne x 7,042.48
01/04/2019 = 12,042.43
END BALANCE © 42,042.39
Letter of Understanding
City of Muskegon DPW and Muskegon Downtown Busines
s Improvement District
This is a Letter of Understanding between the Muskegon
downtown Business Improvement District (BID)
and city of Muskegon Department of Public Works (city) concerni
ng landscaping in downtown
Muskegon for the spring, summer and fall of 2019. City
and BID officials will work together to provide
superior service for the best presentation of downtown possible.
The BID board voted on March 26, 2019 to accept the
offer of the city of Muskegon to provide landscape
services this summer. That offer excludes preparation
and maintenance of the flower planters throughout
the BID district. The planter work will be done for the
BID by Barry’s Flower Shop of Muskegon for
summer 2019.
The city will perform the work below on a time and materia
l basis not to exceed $21,000.
Scope of Work
Lawn Fertilization/Weed Control
- 4 fertilization applications on medians and terraces between Third
Street and Terrace Street
along Western Avenue
o Spring (completed by June 1)
-o_Early Summer(completed-by-July-30) aie a —
o Late Summer (completed by September 30)
o FallWinterized (completed by Nov. 30)
- Atthe same time, apply liquid weed control to the service
area including:
o Cracks
Curb lines
oooo
Landscaping beds
Along buildings
Parking lots behind Russell Block & the Hines Building (parking
area entered from Morris
Avenue between Second and Third Streets).
o Alcoa Celebration Square rock beds at First Street and
West Western Avenue
Spring Clean Up
- Removal of lawn and landscaping area debris
- Cut all ornamental grasses and annual plants to spring start height
- Remove all day Lilly dead loss and cleanout beds
- Removal all trash from landscaped beds, curbs, &
open fields
- Haul all yard waste from site
- Clean-up of curb lines and dress property for appearance
- Clean-up landscaping rocks (moving back into islands) in the parking
lots behind the Hines
Building & Russell Block
Hardwood Mulch Installation & Bed Prep
- Pull weeds, and remove all debris from bark beds
- _ Install sod cut edge and prep all corners of landsca
ping beds
- Haul and spread shredded hardwood bark 2” deep in beds
on Western Avenue between Terrace
and Third Streets, including around the Third/Western traffic circle.
Trimming and Pruning
- Trim & prune shrubs, bushes & trees to promote healthy growth
and uniformity
- Remove and dispose of trimming debris
Fall cleanup
- Leaf removal from plantings between Terrace Street and Third Street along West Western
Avenue and in the Olthoff Stage area of Third Street between West Western and Clay avenues.
Special Instructions
Downtown Muskegon hosts several festivals thought out the summer, set up for these festivals begins on
the following dates and efforts should be made to ensure regular maintenance doesn't interfere with event
setup/activities. The city will turn off irrigation the day before the noted set-up start dates.
Event Set-up Starts Event times Breakdown
Parties in the Park Fridays 3-5 pm Summer Fridays 5-9 pm Same night
Taste of Muskegon Thursday, June 13 June 14-15 11am-9pm Sunday, June 16
Lakeshore Art Festival Thursday, July 4 July 5-6 10 am-6 pm Sunday, July 7
Muskegon Rebel Road | Wednesday, July 16 | July 17-21 10 am-11 pm_| Monday, duly 22
Dave Alexander, executive director of Downtown Muskegon Now (Downtown Development Authority
after July 1), will be the city’s contact concerning BID landscaping in downtown Muskegon. DPW
Director Leo Evans, parks supervisor Bernadette Young and/or their designee will be the contact person
for the city.
On behalf of the city Department of Public Works:
Date:
Frank Peterson, Muskegon city manager
On behalf of the downtown Muskegon Business Improvement District:
Date:
Doug Pollock, BID board chairman
2019 Downtown Planter Map
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@® BID planters in downtown (there are 27)
—— Tin planters on Western (there are 43)
Dave Alexander
From: dawn barry <barrysonline@yahoo.com>
Sent: Monday, March 18, 2019 12:00 PM
To: Dave Alexander
Subject: Re: Planters
Hi Dave,
Ok so for 70 total planters the cost would be a total of $11550.00
Let me know if that will work.
Thank you,
Dawn Barry
Barrys
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad
On Monday, March 18, 2019. 11:18 AM, Dave Alexander <DAlexander@do
wntownmuskegon.org> wrote:
Dawn:
Sorry for the delay on this. I just got out to drive the areas Friday. Below in bold
is what I found.
The bottom line is that we have 27 cement planters for this summer and
43 tin troughs. There are four
more troughs in the mid block of Western between Fourth and Third
street, northside across from the Hilt
building and there are two more cement planters than you listed.
Can you give me a ball park on cost this year based on those numbers?
I have a BID meeting next
Tuesday and would like to have that by noon Thursday. I have attached
last year’s agreement.
Call or email with question or concerns.
Thanks.
Dave Alexander
Executive Director
Downtown Muskegon Now
(231) 215-8827
WATCH MUSKEGON
From: dawn barry [mailto:barrysonline@yahoo.com]
Sent: Thursday, February 21, 2019 4:35 PM
To: Dave Alexander <DAlexander@downtownmuskegon.org>
Subject: Planters
Hi Dave,
It was nice seeing you today! I want to go over the amount of planters
and locations to make
sure I am including all of them and also doing the right ones.
These are the ones I know about
and includes all the ones we did last year:
Pine St. —5 large concrete
Third St —4 large concrete *
Monroe —2 large concrete
4th & Western —4 small concrete
Sth & Western —2 large concrete
6th & Western —2 small concrete
Front of radiology —1 small concrete
Coffee Shop —1 small concrete Do you mean Western in front
of Unruly/Russell Block ...
actually there are two
2nd & Clay —1 small concrete Also Second and Western 1 small
for a total on Second of
two.
Jefferson & Clay —1 small concrete
Across from Hennesseys—1 small concrete
Terrace & Clay —1 small concrete
(Total = 13 large, 12 small)
Across from Kiosks —9 large troughs, 12 small troughs
Behind Hawaiian Ice —2 large troughs
New troughs northside of Western between Third and Fourth, 4 large
Between Kiosks —4 large troughs, 14 small troughs
(Total = 13 large troughs, 26 small troughs) Total tin troughs are 43
Grand total 64 planters —are we supposed to be doing all of these? And did I miss any?
The grand totals are 27 cement planters and 43 troughs, overall 70 units.
Thank you,
Dawn Barry
Barry’s
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad
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Letter of Understanding between Downtown Muskegon Now and the
Muskegon Business Improvement District
° Downtown Muskegon Now (DMN) is a non-profit corporation focused on
economic
development, marketing and events in downtown Muskegon, Mich.
© The Muskegon Business Improvement District (BID) was established by the city of Muskegon
in
2015 as a self-assessment district providing services and improvements in the downtown area.
On Jan. 12, 2016, the Muskegon City Commission unanimously approved the final district
Property assessments to launch the BID. The BID was renewed for three years at the end
of
2017 by the commission.
e Atits Jan. 19, 2016 meeting, the BID Board of Directors selected DMN to provide staff services
to the district and renewed that arrangement in January 2017. For the past two years, DMN has
administer the operations of the BID and has been the liaison to the city of Muskegon and its
staff.
* With the three-year extension of the BID, DMN will received $25,000 annually for 2018, 2019
and 2020 from the BID for administrative services.
© The BID Board with the help of DMN staff established the 2018-2020 budgets as part of the
BID
renewal process, which DMN will carry out on behalf of the BID Board. The BID board can
establish specific expenditures of BID funds through the annual budget process, with the DMN
board providing oversight of the BID’s marketing, events and promotions line items.
° DMN staff will expend the funds and report at least quarterly to the BID board on the work
completed. DMN will provide an annual report to the BID and downtown community each
January.
¢ Over the next three years, the BID Board in conjunction with DMN staff will work on expanding
the BID services beyond West Western Avenue.
e This letter of understanding is for the 2018-2020 BID as approved by the Muskegon City
Commission and may be terminated with 60 days’ notice from either party.
Approved by the Downtown Muskegon Now board Feb. 8, 2018
>
— Signed:
Andy Maciejewski
DMN president
Approved by th: Business Improvement Di trict board Jan. 23, 2018
Signed:
den, a
Pipl
a
Doug Pollock
BID chairman
DDA BUDGET WORKSHEET FOR FY 2019-20
For discussion
/ approval at the May 14, 2019 meeting
Revenues FY 2018-19 FY2018-19 ACTUAL FY 2019-20 FY 2019-20
Tax Increment (5%+ annual)* $ 1,116,355.00 | $ 1,069,486.00 | $ 1,144,263.88 | S 1,144, 263.88
Reimbursement - State $ 50,000.00 s 51,250.00 | $ 52,000.00
Trans From General Fund $ - $ - § -
Interest Income s 1,000.00 | $ 14.00 | $ 1,500.00 | $ 1,500.00
BID Income (or $50,000 levy)
** $ - S 160,000.00 | $ 160,000.00
TIFA $ - $ -_ i$ 5
Former Mall Brownfield Income (GF) E - S - 5 -
Total $ 1,167,355.00 | $ 1,069,500.00 | $ 1,357,013.88 | $ 1,357,763.88
Expenses FY 2018-19 FY2018-19 ACTUAL FY 2019-20 FY 2019-20
Business Dev. Manager Wages s - $ 62,500.00 | $ 65,000.00
Trans to GF - Marketing, Events, Overhead S - iS 100,000.00 | $ 100,000.00
FICA (7.65%) $ : $ 4,781.25 | $ 4,972.50
Workers Comp (2%) $ - S$ 1,250.00 | $ 1,300.00
Health Insurance s - s 18,000.00 | $ 5,200.00
Residency Bonus (4%) $s 2,600.00
Life Insurance (0.24%) s - $ 150.00} $ 156.00
401(k) (6%) $ - $ 3,750.00 | $ 3,900.00
Total Salaries/Benefits $ - $s 190,431.25 | $ 183,128.50
Walkability Improvements s - iS 70,000.00 | $ =
Streetscape/Wayfinding / Walkability*** 5 - S$ 165,000.00 | $ 165,000.00
Public
Art (Downtown Initiative) $ 10,000.00 S 20,000.00 | S -
Landscaping 5 - s 135,000.00 | $ 80,000.00
Snow Removal S - $ 100,000.00 | $ 72,000.00
Facade Program S - S 50,000.00 | $ -
Financial Incentives s - $ 125,000.00 | $ 100,000.00
Downtown Park(s)**** s - s 45,000.00 | S$ 25,000.00
Marketing/Publications $ 20,000.00 | $ 5,000.00 | $ 20,000.00 | $ 100,000.00
Blight S$ 5,000.00 $ 15,000.00 | $ :
Office Space and Misc Operating S - s 1,250.00 | $ 8,500.00 | $ 8,500.00
Total Recurring Costs $ 35,000.00 | $ 6,250.00 | $ 753,500.00 | $ 550,500.00
LC Walker Phase 1 S 750,000.00 | $ 750,000.00 | $ = S :
LC Walker Phase 1a***** s 250,000.00 | $ 250,000.00 | $ = S -
Event Contributions $ - $ 65,000.00 | $ 10,000.00
Projects and Events $ 1,000,000.00| $ —1,000,000.00 | $ 65,000.00 | $ 10,000.00
County Debt Payments (S1M)****** $ - $ 400,000.00 | $ 400,000.00
LC Walker HVAC/Roof (5 Year)******* S$ 75,000.00 $ 215,000.00 | $ 215,000.00
Other Debt Payments (smartzone) S$ - S - S -
Total Debt Payments $ 75,000.00 $ 615,000.00 | $ 615,000.00
Total Expenses $ 1,110,000.00 | $ 1,006,250.00 | $ 1,623,931.25 | $ 1,358,628.50
[Net Rev/Expenses [$57,355.00 | $ 63,250.00| $ _ (266,917.38) $ (864.62)|
|Cumulative Cash Reserves [$57,355.00 | $ 63,250.00| $ (209,562.38) $ 56,490.38|
*Significant Reduction in Tax Increment Planned in Year 10 Due to Transition to "Local Only" TIF
**Anticipates Increaded BID Investment - Focus on Western and Third Streets (BID Board Would Ultimately Decide)
***Assumes 3rd Street Project in 2018-19 and Clay Ave Streetlighting in 2019-20
**** Assumes DDA Maintains Splash Pad and Dog Park, and Develops a Playground Area in FY 2020-21
*****Antcipates an additional $250,000
to complete Phase 1 of LC Walker (Restrooms)
****** Assumes 10-year debt repayment to Muskegon County
«eee AccUmes 10-year debt contribution at $215,000/yr fog 10 yrs related to new roofing, dehumidification & boiler at LC
To: DDA and DMN boards
From: Dave Alexander, DMN
Re: May economic development report
Date: May 9, 2019
DDA and DMN board members:
The pace of activity and interest in downtown Muskego ‘abate. All is good.
Convention Center: The groundbreaking last week resulted in hugely positive publicity
for
downtown's future. This is the biggest public-private partnership this community has engaged
since | have been in town thanks to the city, county and Parkland. And the DDA and city/county
taxpayers haven't been asked for a dime. Construction will be underway in June with
the
closure of Fourth Street and center should open in the first quarter of 2021.
Butterfly mural: The Lakeshore Art Festival is putting up a butterfly mural on the side of the
Frauenthal Center by Kelsey Montague, a huge social media engager through herpublic art.
DMN is contributing $2,000 to the effort as is the city’s general fund.
NUFF: A City for All, a New Urbanism Film Festival will be June 18 from 5-8 at the Muskegon
Museum of Art. DMN is a co-sponsor of the films and discussion of affordable housing,
gentrification and urban residential development. Please join us at this free event.
Inclusion: | have had a half dozen very intense, very difficult conversations with various people
or.small groups of people on inclusion, economic equity and race the past month. These are
tough but needed conversations to inch us along te downtown’s
goal of being welcoming to
and reflecting of everyone as a place to live, work, play and stay. | encourage you to engage as
you feel comfortable. | am‘open to private conversations with board members as. | predict more
and more of these discussions will become public. Embrace the change that hopefully is coming
to our community.
TakeIt Outdoors:| have been participating with the groups on discussion outdoor recreation in
Muskegon County as part of the-chamber’s theme for the next two years. Downtown is
headquarters of the largest kayak producer in the world, Hemisphere Design Works. Downtown
._ is steps away from a great bike trail and incredible recreational boating. One goal is to
advocate
for upgraded recreational facilities. For downtown that might mean improved “trail heads”
where the bike path crosses a kayak launch.
MEDC tour: On April 12, Frank Peterson and | toured MEDC Director Jeff Mason from
Windward Pointe to downtown among other stops he had that day in Muskegon. Director
Mason saw the Pigeon Hill production facility, the Lakeview Lofts and The Leonard site. He and
his staff were particularly interested in our Opportunity Zone push.
Crit: The Port City Criterion got a late approval from the city to have the downtown bike race
Saturday June 29 from noon to 9 p.m. or so. This event is moving from dates in May the past
two years in hopes of getting more downtown spectators.
Midtown streetscape: Consumers Energy Foundation, the city and Midtown stakeholders
gathered on Third Street in April to recognize the foundation’s $200,000 contribution to the
streetscape upgrade for Midtown that should be under construction in the fall.
Opportunity Zones: | have had four meetings the past month with property owners and
investors looking for projects in the downtown district.
Food Hall event:
A Food Hall is a food court for foodies. It is a concept that might be a good fit
in downtown. To start to test that concept, DMN, Kitchen 242, Baker’s Culinary Institute of
Michigan and the West Michigan Food Initiative have partnered to create the Muskegon Food
Hall,-a local pop up event Friday June 28 at the Farmers Market. Tickets are $50 apiece and
limited with funds raised going to the kitchen. Please join us.
Third Street ... Midtown to the Lake: There are some very exciting conversations among
stakeholders
and community leaders on extending the Third Street promenade to the Third
Street Dock of Sand Products, which could be ttansferred into city ownership. The potential for
publié: downtown waterfront property and ease of crossing of Shoreline Drive is more than
exciting. | will keep you updated.
MPS: The- Muskegon Public Schools are at a critical juncture’seeking a new superintendent
while facing:a critical
$77 million bond issue a year from now. MPS needs not just survive but
thrive if downtown development is to be sustainable, especially the residential developments.
As a downtown director and a longtime MPS property owner, | have been providing my support
to community leaders working on these educational issues.
Educational offices: A public educational institution is looking to have a new presence in
downtown Muskegon. | am working with that institution and the owners of possible downtown
locations.
Social District: The enabling legislation for “walking a beer down Main Street” has yet to be
introduced but the West Michigan Chamber Coalition and the Grand Rapids chamber has
embraced the concept. The
GR chamber has the advocacy team to help us in Lansing.
Dog Park hand off: The Bark Park is getting'a ton of use and it’s getting upgrades including new
trees‘on both the large and small dog sides. The large dog side has been closed for a while
in
hopes of getting grass to grow. DMN will be handing the park off to the city/DDA. The city is in
the process'of obtaining the land and the green space to the south from Muskegon County.
Presentations: | presented the downtown story to the chamber ambassadors, the staff of
Raymond James and with John VanWyck on WKBZ Talk of the Town.
To: DDA and DMN board members
From: Dave Alexander, DMN
Re: Monthly economic development report
Date: April 4, 2019
Downtown board members, here are some quick-hit updates on downtown projects and issues:
Third-Morris parking: The deterioration of the surface in the two “public” lots at Morris and
Third and the future development surrounding those necessitates a stakeholders’ meeting on
the topic. The DMDC will not be improving the lots and if they were to be resurfaced how long
will that fix be needed until development
of a parking structure may become a necessity. | will
keep you updated as consensus emerges.
‘Third Street Dock: With the city and Mart Dock owners working toward a property swap of the
Third Street Dock for Fisherman’s Landing, discussion of a public-private development of the
Third Street Dock is under way with the private owners, the city, the county, the chamber and
State legislators. Third Street Dock is the critical future access point for the heart of downtown's
link to Muskegon Lake.
MCC Fitness Center: The MCC Board of Trustees passed a resolution last month that names the
center as part of the college’s mission and gives the community time to determine a long-term
solution to its recreation center needs.
Pigeon Hill Brewing production: Construction is being completed on the new production facility
with equipment move plantied from 441 Western to the new building the week of April 22 and
production underway in the new facility the week of May 6. :
Third Street/Midtown streetscape: A check passing ceremony with Consumers Energy, city
officials. and Midtown stakeholders is slated for Thursday April 18
at 1:30 p.m. The company’s
foundation is providing $200,000 to the streetscape project. Please join us.
Credit: union visit: | spent four hours last month with three credit union executives from out of
town and a local manager. The statewide financial services organization is looking to relocate its
Muskegon branch-and wants to be downtown. | will continue to work with them through the
Felocation process.
Retail strategy: | attended a two-day series of meetings of the Michigan Downtown Association
in-Lansing and East Lansing last month. A session presented by the Michigan Economic
Development Association got me thinking about our need to have a future retail development
‘strategy. That would include having an up to date retail market study, especially with what is
happening with The Lakes Mail and the retail move to digital. The market study would lead to’a
retail development plan and key prospects lists of segments and companies. Finally, | would
want to train our retail businesses both in marketing/operations in urban areas and customer
‘service. These are activities we might consider in the DDA’s marketing and/or business
incentive areas
of work..1 would contemplate an outside consultant for the work.
Gay Pride: A. downtown worker/resident in the LGBTQ community approached downtown and
the chamber on having an inclusive downtown. Discussions will continue on recognizing Gay
Pride in the month of June, working with Muskegon Pride to find downtown places and events
that are comfortable to the LGBTQ community and actively work on placement of gay pride
flags and symbols on businesses and institutions downtown. | will keep you updated as we
progress on these issues.
Convention Center: As work continues on convention center construction contracts, the city,
county and Parkland Development will have two events in May, groundbreaking Wednesday
May 8 11.a.m. at the corner of Western and Fourth and a'stakeholders update Tuesday May 7
4-6 p.m. in the new Delta by Marriott. Join us for both.
Pop UpFood Hall events: Downtown, Farmers Market/Kitchen 242, Baker’s CIM:and the food
initiative are collaborating on two special events to promote the concept of a Food Hall for
downtown while supporting local chefs and CIM students. The foodie events are slated for
Fridays June 28 and July
26 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at the Farmers Market. Put ther on your
Dog Park upgrades: | have posted on the Bark Park Facebook Page the transition of the park
from DMN to the city/DDA. That includes some upgrades that are now under way. | believe
with remaining Bark Park funds and exit: contributions from DMN we can make some significant
uperades as we go into our second year
of operations. The only free, public dog park in
Muskegon County is a huge hit.
BID’s future: The BID board meet last week and took care of basic agenda items on landscaping
and planter services (status quo) for the summer. But the initial discussion on the BID’s future
after 2020. Some want to end the BID, others want to shrink and conceritraté the BID and
others want status quo. By this time next year, the BID will have to:come to a consensus and -
provide the Muskegon City Commission with a recommendation.
Kayak access: Paddle Muskegon, the chamber’s Take It Outdoors initiative, Guy's Kayak Rental
and Watch Muskegon Go Boating all have plans for better kayak access on the south shore of
Muskegon Lake and in particular within the DDA district. | would hope to put the interested
parties together in the next weeks with city staff to discuss vision and specific facility upgrades.
Presentations: This.past month my presentations have included being on a Blue Economy panel
at the Lakeshore Museum Center on downtown waterfront public access and a downtown
welcoming message to the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs.
Meetings: This past month my meetings have included tours with Sen. Jon Bumstead and staff
of downtown. Downtown expects to host meetings with Gov. Whitmer and MEDC Director
‘Mason at the end of next.week.
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