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muskegon
BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
Downtown Muskegon Business Improvement District
Meeting Agenda
Feb. 24, 2020
8 a.m.
Muskegon City Hall
933 Terrace, Muskegon, MI
Room 103
1) Call to Order
2) Consent Agenda
a) Approval of Agenda
b) Approval of Minutes from the meeting Nov. 25, 2019 (special)
3) Public Comment (on an agenda item)
4) New Business
a) Acceptance of financial statements as of Jan. 31, 2020 and review financial position
b) BID-City DPW landscaping agreement for 2020
c) BID-Barry’s Flowers planter agreement for 2020
d) Harmony Park
e) BID renewal vs. paid parking (discussion)
f) BID renewal process
g) Changes of downtown snow removal plan
h) Marketing and events 2020 update
i) Downtown project updates
5) Other Business
a) Next meeting Monday April 27, 8 a.m. Muskegon City Hall Room 103
6) Adjournment
To: BID board members
From: Dave Alexander, city of Muskegon Business Development\Manager
Re: Agenda items for Monday Feb. 24, 2020
Date: 2-19-2020
Your first meeting of the year is Monday Feb. 24, 2020 at 8 a.m. in Muskegon City
Hall, Room 103. We have seven members and will need four for a quorum and
official business. Here are my comments on the agenda items ...
Financial report: The BID financials are starting off its final of three years in solid
shape. You began 2020 with $99,990 in cash reserve. There are some snow
removal expenses from late 2019 not yet accounted for and all of the program
expenses for 2020. Finally, you will be receiving approximately $160,000 from last
year of the special assessments paid through winter property tax bills.
DPW landscaping agreement: The BID and the city DPW agreed in 2018 to
collaborate for three years on downtown landscaping services. Please find the
final 2020 agreement and service area map. The changes for this year area 5
percent increase in cost to the BID and an additional $2,000 in services to the new
streetscape landscaping in Midtown from Muskegon to Merrill avenues. The total
cost for the 2020 season is not to exceed $24,050. | recommend approval.
Barry’s Flowers agreement: We received another quote for service of 72 planters
in downtown Muskegon from Barry’s Flowers. The quote was for $13,485. This is
an 8.4 percent increase over 2019. That is on the high side but Dawn Barry has
provide you with justification in an email | have included. Barry’s does
outstanding work and our planters look terrific throughout the season no matter
the weather. Included is a map showing some changes in locations from 2019 to
2020 due to no need for planters on Third Street with the new streetscape. We
were able to put the planters in new areas, especially Clay Avenue west of
Terrace. This in an area in which the BID Board wanted to provide more service.
The map is being redrawn by Emily and | will have it available Monday morning. |
recommend approval of the Barry’s agreement for 2020.
Harmony Park: Please look over a new downtown art and music project of the
Muskegon Rotary Club. As a Rotarian, | am part of the planning committee. | told
the Rotarians | would bring a request for a donation to the effort to the BID
board. This is an approximately $100,000 effort that already has $75,000 in
various funding sources. The project and fundraising are being led by Andy
Beulow at the symphony and Susan and Orville Crain so | am extremely confident
this is happening. The city has agreed to install at the five locations. One set of
artistic instruments are installed at McLaughlin Neighborhood Park on Terrace.
The locations include three inside of the BID, Seventh and Shoreline, Farmers
Market and Olthoff Stage. Anything the BID would contribute would be directed
toward those three locations and come out the BID fund balance under a
streetscape line item. | would suggest $1,000.
BID/paid parking: The development landscape of downtown Muskegon is
changing quickly with the new convention center and much more. A significant
retailer is seriously looking at downtown for a location in the near future. If that
development occurs or should something similar come to downtown Muskegon,
the need for a parking structure or structures becomes real. A parking structure
would necessitate downtown paid parking. | envision an extension of the
technology being deployed at PM Park for beaching paid parking this summer.
Such a system of paid parking could bring significant funds to the downtown,
either through the city or the DDA. As you discuss BID renewal, you should
develop a position on paid parking and how that would relate to a BID going
forward.
BID renewal process: City staff recommends a new reduced BID district and
three-year assessment at a current square foot rates for private commercial
property in the district. The materials we shared with you at the end of last year
are included, showing an $115,000 annual revenue stream and expenditures
focused on sidewalk snow removal and landscape maintenance. There seemed to
have been a consensus to move forward with the process. That being the case, |
suggest having a vote on the concept April 27, a public outreach to potential
property owners assessed under the BID in May and a final vote June 22, if
approved asking the city commission to institute the special assessments. That
would require a county Equalization Bureau needs analysis and two public
hearings before the city commission. To be on the 2020 winter taxes due Feb. 15,
2021, the special assessment would need to be in place by Oct. 31, 2020.
Snow removal changes: Please look at the Facebook dust up on downtown snow
removal around the theater Saturday night from Bob Scolnik and subsequent Fox
17 report. | have been working downtown for going on 40 years. We have the
best snow removal service ever during those years. But, more people are
downtown to live, work, play and stay and service expectations are on the rise.
We need to discuss better weekend and evening sidewalk snow removal services
going forward. | think a new focused service contract next year will help and | will
work with DPW along with theater and arena management to get us through this
year. | would like your feedback.
Marketing/events: The $15,500 marketing and events budget continues status
quo per traditional advertisements, website, social media and banners. We have
not had the right opportunity to purchase either radio or billboards yet this year
but will be on the lookout on how to collaborate with others.
Downtown projects: Yes, we have a convention center fully under construction.
Also under construction in the downtown area are the Terrace Point Landing
homes, scattered new home construction in Nelson Neighborhood adjacent to
Midtown, the Western Place condos, new housing starting at Hartshorn Village,
1208 Eighth commercial redevelopment and completion of 794 Northtown. |
expect construction to begin this spring on The Leonard, the Microtel motel and
the second phase of Lakeview Lofts. The MEDC, city of Muskegon and owner Brad
Martell are moving forward with a Request of Qualifications and a Developers
Showcase for 1144 Third, the old car dealership property in Midtown. The goal is
to have Brad partner with a developer/investors in a mixed-use residential and
commercial redevelopment of the critical site in Midtown. Proposals and the
event will be in mid to late summer. The city continues to work with the Scotts
and Ferguson Development of Lansing on the old Ameribank building at 880 First
into a mixed use development.
Downtown Muskegon Business Improvement District
Meeting Minutes
Nov. 25, 2019
Muskegon City Hall
933 Terrace Muskegon, MI 49440
Room 103
1) Call to Order: 8:03 AM
Attendance: Bob Tarrant, Bruce Lindstrom, John Riegler, Kathy Denison, Frank Peterson
and Mike Hennessy.
Excused Absent(s): Phyllis Watson-Laudermill
Guests: Dave Alexander, city Business Development Manager and LeighAnn Mikesell,
city development director.
Election of new chair and vice chair.
With Chair Doug Pollock and Vice Chair Gary Post resigning from the BID board, there was
an election of new officers. Bob Tarrant was nominated for chair and Bruce Lindstrom for
vice chair.
Motion for Bob Tarrant as chairman: Frank Peterson
Support: John Riegler
Vote: All in favor
Motion for Bruce Lindstrom as vice chairman: John Riegler
Support: Frank Peterson
Vote: All in favor.
Public Comment (on an agenda item) — The board chose to leave the floor open for the
whole meeting allowing attendees to participate as they like.
Consent agenda
a) Approval of the agenda
b) Approval of the Minutes from June 28, 2019 special meeting
c) Approval of the Minutes from the May 28, 2019 meeting
Motion to approve the consent agenda: Frank Peterson
Support: John Riegler
Vote: All voted in favor
5) New Business
a) Accept the financial statement dated Oct. 31, 2019 and review of financial position.
Motion to accept: Frank Peteron
Support: Bruce Lindstrom
Vote: All voted in favor
b) Two board openings
The resignations leave two BID board positions open. The board decided to hold off
on suggesting new appointments to the Muskegon City Commission until clarity on
the future of the BID.
Letter of intent to transfer BID staff from DMN to DDA
Motion to approve letter: John Riegler
Support Mike Hennessy
Vote: All voted in favor
The board reviewed the winter snow removal agreements with the city of Muskegon
DPW, Summit Landscape and Snow Removal and Terrascape for downtown and
Midtown. All agreements already approved and in place for 2020. No vote needed.
A 2020 BID status quo budget of $161,674 with expenditures of $75,000 for snow
removal, $30,000 for landscaping, $15,500 marketing, $13,000 streetscape,
$25,000 administration, and $3,147 contingency was presented by Dave Alexander.
Motion to approve 2020 budget and work plan: John Riegler
Support: Frank Peterson
Vote: All voted in favor
f) Dave Alexander gave an update of events and marketing, focusing on the Holidays
in the City promotion for the Christmas season.
g) A discussion on the future of the BID after 2020 was led by a staff report making the
case for the continuation of the BID for another three years. The bottom-line
argument is that with the ongoing transformation of downtown this is not the time to
stop supporting the progress through BID services. There is a feeling on the BID
board to stop the special assessments after 2020 and have the city’s Downtown
Development Authority take over downtown management and services. DDA
resources are not enough to continue BID services, staff countered. A consensus
formed during the discussion to reduce the size of the BID boundaries to focus on
West Western, Third Street and Pine Street and only provide sidewalk snow
removal and landscaping services in those areas. Staff will develop a plan for a
three-year BID renewal at the same assessment rates but in the reduced district. No
vote was taken.
6) Other Business
a) Dave Alexander gave an overview of the downtown projects and invited the BID board
and the public to an annual report meeting Jan. 22 at 4:30 p.m. at The Block.
b) The BID board set a 2020 meeting schedule of the fourth Monday of every other
month at 8 a.m., at Muskegon City Hall, 933 Terrace, Muskegon, MI 49440. The next
meeting will be Monday Feb. 24, 2020 at 8 a.m. at City Hall, Room 103.
7) Adjournment
9:20 AM
No Objection
Minutes produced and submitted by Dave Alexander, city of Muskegon business development
manager
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02/19/2020 08:09 AM ¥Y REPORT FOR < Baga: Léi
lesan PROM 237-70803-5201 TO 29
+ meebegen TRANSACTIONS FROM 01/01/2020 TO 02/19/2020
hate JKL Type Dbescription Reference # Debits Credits Balance
Fund 297 DOWNTOWN MUSKEGON BID
01/01/2020 297-70803-5346 CONTRACTUAL SERVICES BEG, BALANCE 37,606.52
01/22/2020 AP «INV SUMMIT LAKNCARE & SNOWPLOWLNG 38312 225.00 37,831.52
DEC 2019 SEASONAL SHOVELING INSTALLM
01/22/2020 AP INV. SUMMIT LAWNCARE & SNOWPLOWING 38,941.52
DEC 2029 SNOW PLOWING INSTALLMENT
01/22/2020 AP INV SUMMIT LAWNCARE § SNOWPLOWING 38596 40,062.52
SALTING FOR SNOW REMOVAL [BID BUDGET
91/22/2020 AP INV SUMMIT LAWNCARE & SNOWPLOWING 38598 223.00 40,286.52
JANUARY SHOVELLING INSTALLMENT (ATD
01/22/2020 AP INV SUMMIT LAWNCARE & SNOWPLOWING 38599 1,116.00 41,396.52
JANUARY SNOWPLOWING INSTALLMENT
02/11/2020 RP INV SUMMIT LAWNCARE & SNOWPLOWING 39026 2,600.00 43,796.52
SALTING IN THE BID DISTRICT
02/11/2020 AP TINY SUMMIT LAWNCARE & SNOWPLOWING 19046 1,110.99 $4,906.52
BIO DISTRICT SNOWPLOWING POR FEB 202
02/11/2020 AP INV SUMMIT LAWNCARE & SNOWPLOWING 39045 225.00 45,131.82
BID SHOVELING POR FEB 2020
02/11/2020 AP INV TERRASCAPE ARCHITECTS INC 2345 2,180.00 47,281.52
SNOWPLOWING 1144 3RD ST (BID DISTRIC
02/19/2020 297-70803-5346 END BALANCE 9,675.00 0.00 47,281.52
01/02/2620 297-70803-5352 PUBLIC RELATIONS BEG. BALANCE 33.99
02/29/2020 297-79803-8352 EXD BALANCE 9.00 ¢.00 833.00
02/19/2020 08:48 AM GL ACTIVITY REPORT POR CITY OF MUSKEGON Page: usa
Users bethalewis §-1101 TO 29/-90000-1101
Uae Husteson 5 FROM 01/01/2020 TO 02/29/2020
Date INL Type Description Reference ¢ Debits Credits Balance
Pund 297 DOWNTOWN MUSKEGON 810
01/01/2020 297-00000-1101 CASH IN BANK BEG. BALANCE
01/24/2020 cD CHK Chi 10 540204 £4G204 3,790.0¢ 96,200.74
02/14/2020 cD CHK Check: 10 540283 340283 3,735.00 92,465.74
02/14/2020 cb CHK Check: 10 540286 540286 2,150.00 90,315.74
02/29/2020 297-00000-1101 END BALANCE 9,00 9,675.00
Letter of Understanding
City of Muskegon DPW and Muskegon Downtown Business 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) concerning landscaping in downtown
Muskegon for the spring, summer and fall of 2020. City and BID officials will work together to provide
superior service for the best presentation of downtown possible.
The BID board voted in 2018 to accept the offer of the city of Muskegon to provide landscape services
through the summer of 2020. 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 2020.
The city will perform the work below in the areas shown on the accompanying map on a time and
material basis not to exceed $24,050. Note that that the agreement and price for 2020 includes
maintenance of new landscape areas in Midtown along Third Street from Muskegon to Merrill avenues.
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)
o Late Summer (completed by September 30)
co FallMWinterized (completed by Nov. 30)
- Atthe same time, apply liquid weed control to the service area including:
o Cracks
o Curb lines
o Landscaping beds
o Along buildings
o 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 landscaping 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 18 June 19-20 11am-9pm__| Sunday, June 21
Lakeshore Art Festival Thursday, July 2 July 3-4 10 am-6 pm Sunday, July 5
Muskegon Rebel Road | Wednesday, July 15 | July 15-19 10 am-11 pm_| Monday, July 20
Dave Alexander, Downtown Development Authority and BID manager, will be the city’s contact
concerning BID landscaping in downtown Muskegon. DPW Director Leo Evans or his 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:
Bob Tarrant, BID board chair
Dave Alexander cA Bs Saas Lae Bia rE SESE rE Sa rd
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From: dawn barry <barrysonline@yahoo.com>
Sent: Wednesday, January 22, 2020 11:33 AM
To: Dave Alexander
Subject: Re: Flowers 2020
Ok it’s approximately $300./week for maintenance . That includes our labor, truck maintenance, fuel, fungicide,
& fertilizer.
Thank you,
Dawn Barry
Barry’s Greenhouse Inc.
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad
On Tuesday, January 21, 2020, 2:57 PM, Dave Alexander <dalexander@downtownmuskegon.org> wrote:
Dawn:
So, how much of the overall cost is weekly maintenance?
Thanks.
Dave Alexander
Business Development Manager
City of Muskegon/Downtown Development Authority
(231) 215-8827
WATCH MUSH EGO
From: dawn barry [mailto:barrysonline@yahoo.com]
Sent: Tuesday, January 21, 2020 12:40 PM
To: Dave Alexander <dalexander@downtownmuskegon.org>
Subject: Re: Flowers 2020
Dave,
The new, proposed total cost (increase of $16.58/pot for the year) takes into consideration all of
our costs for the planters. Our costs on everything increases each year.
These are the items that go into the planters:
*Flowers
*New Soil Amendments
*new mulch
*fertilizer (from February-September)
*Insecticides and Fungicide (January-September)
*sanitizer for Greenhouse space where plants are grown
*electricity in Greenhouse for supplemental lighting and fans
*pots and trays to grow the plants in
*truck maintenance and fuel
*maintenance of our truck watering system
*New Greenhouse Poly
*heating of the greenhouse from end of January-May
*labor for all of the above (largest increase of our costs)
Thank you for your business and entrusting us with this wonderful project. Let me know if you
have anymore questions or concerns.
Dawn Barry
Barry’s Greenhouses Inc
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad
On Tuesday, January 21, 2020, 11:36 AM, Dave Alexander <dalexander@downtownmuskegon.org>
wrote:
Dawn:
Happy New Year.
Now that we have winter in place, it is odd that I am thinking about
summer flowers.
First, I want to go forward with Barrys for flowers and maintenance in
2020. You do exceptional work, have dedicated staff and make
downtown sparkle during the summer months.
Second, I am not opposed to $13,485 for the coming summer service.
That is an all included number. Last year we spent $9,950 on flowers,
an additional $200 on replacements and $2,000 on maintenance, |
believe. That adds up to $12,150 for 70 pots. If we are at 72, then
based on last year’s numbers, the total would have been $12,434.
What you are asking for is an 8.4 percent increase. I need to justify
that to the BID board when they meet Feb. 24.
Please give me some idea as to the increase in cost for 2020. And
please break down the costs from plant materials and installation vs.
the weekly maintenance. Give that info to me in another email and I
will take that to the BID board on Feb. 24.
With the BID board approval, I am willing to front you $3,000 to get
you going at that point. Please move forward on your end for another
successful flower pot planting for 2020.
Understand that the BID special assessment runs through 2020. We
need to get a BID renewal for us to continue for 2021 and beyond. I
think that will happen this year. If not, the city will determine
somehow to keep the landscape and flowers into the future. I will
keep you updated as that effort progresses this year.
It is great working with you. Keep in touch.
Dave Alexander
Business Development Manager
City of Muskegon/Downtown Development Authority
(231) 215-8827
WATCH US«i:GO
From: dawn barry [mailto:barrysonline@yahoo.com]
Sent: Tuesday, January 21, 2020 11:08 AM
To: Dave Alexander <dalexander@downtownmuskegon.org>
Subject: Flowers 2020
Hi Dave,
We are starting to get the materials for the Downtown Muskegon pots. I counted
last year - 72 pots. We would like to propose a total of $13,485.00 for the planters
and maintenance for this year. Please let me know what you think and if we
could get $3000. now to help pay for everything we’re doing to get ready.
Thank you,
Dawn Barry
Barry’s Greenhouses Inc.
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad
28
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4S
Music is a global, artistic language that creates community, connection and
a sense of belonging. Some studies suggest that music is older than speech, and that speech may have
even evolved from music. The primal power of music evokes emotions, memories and images, taking the
participant on a magical journey—exactly the things Muskegon is working to foster, especially in our re-surging
downtown and nearby neighborhoods.
The goal of WATCHMUSKEGONPLAY, a project of the Muskegon Rotary Club in collaboration with the
West Michigan Symphony, is to infuse our community with hands-on music-making opportunities for our
families, children, and visitors of all ages and abilities, and to create connections of creative commonality
between our downtown district and our greater community. We want to bring music-making back
and within the reach of everyone in our community, especially our children!
A group of dedicated community activists, including key members of Muskegon Rotary Club, Downtown
Development Authority and West Michigan Symphony Board and staff, has initiated a project to bring all-
weather outdoor musical instruments to downtown Muskegon. These innovatively designed instruments, which
are manufactured by FreenotesTM Harmony Park of Durango, Colorado, are durable, sustainable, and perfectly-
tuned sound sculptures that enhance outdoor community spaces. They are designed for all weather conditions,
require little maintenance, and may be played by anyone and everyone of all ages and abilities. Harmony Park
instruments can be found around the world and in the US throughout the all 50 states.
WATCHMUSKEGONPLAY will be the largest collective installation of outdoor instruments in the United
States. We are installing 31 different instruments in eight locations,
including five instruments at Rotary Park, adjacent to Heritage Landing,
which also contains a wheelchair-accessible playscape. In addition,
another 6 instruments will be installed along the path that runs between
Rotary Park and Heritage Landing. We also will install instruments in
three other downtown locations and three neighborhood parks:
St. Joseph Park in the Nelson neighborhood; McLaughlin Community
Park; and Johnny O. Harris Park in Muskegon Heights.
Signage at each site will identify where all the other instruments are
located throughout the area, inviting families, children, and our visitors
to explore the greater community of Muskegon. This project will inspire
exploration and healthy exercise, while making greater Muskegon a
destination for recreation, congregation, social activity, and play—with music and art as the vehicle.
WP Lacated fothe Roah
g ROTARY PARK
The largest installation of instruments,
a Premium Set of five instruments,
will be at Rotary Park, next door to
Heritage Landing. Rotary Park
features playscapes specifically
designed for access by children of
various abilities and children in
wheelchairs. Adding the Premium Set
of instruments to Rotary Park will
enrich this site as a place where families and children are drawn in by the magical sounds of music.
Along the pathway that links the play
equipment at Rotary Park and Heritage
= Landing will be a wonderful set of six
instruments, the Botanical Collection,
including four Flowers, each of a different
size, height, and color with four different
notes, sounding like soft sweet gongs. The
Flowers are so sculptural they will be
enjoyed as soon as they are seen. In addition
to the flowers, there will be a set of the
Green Lily Pad Cymbals and a Tenor Tree.
#5 SEVENTH
STREET AND SHORELINE DRIVE
The Pocket Park at Seventh and Shoreline is a high traffic
area due not only to Shoreline Drive but also because of the
foot traffic that is so heavy during Muskegon’s Festival
Season from Memorial Day through September. Perfect for
that location will be the 3-piece Starter Set: Tuned Drums
and two xylophones, the Duet and the Yantzee.
en 4 Sf
BA 6 FARMERS’ MARKET
The Serenade is an attractive, color-coded set of
cK rie tubular chimes that even comes with its own
\\\
\\ \A\\\\\A
\\ durable, weather-proof songbook attached. The 15
iy‘4M chimes are “diatonic” (do-re-mi-fa-so, etc.) and
\\i*e
ee % sound so sweet that every note is pleasant. We will
also install this and a set of four Flowers in the new
pocket park being planned for the Farmers’ Market.
2
6 Pagoda Bells will be installed near the Olthoff Stage on 3" and Western,
across from the Frauenthal. Reminiscent of the architecture of the East, the Pagoda is
a vertical array of bells that provide lush tones of long duration.
6 ST. JOSEPH PARK at Monroe and Fifth
MCLAUGHLIN COMMUNITY PARK on Terrace
The 3-piece Weenotes Collection is perfect for installation at two of
Muskegon’s community parks, one set each in both the Nelson and the
McLaughlin neighborhoods. Both parks have wonderful playscapes in
them.
UPDATE: We have installed McLaughlin Community Park early so
that people can see the impact that these instruments are having! Check it
out at Terrace and Isabella.
6 JOHNNY O. HARRIS PARK on Broadway, Muskegon Heights
We are planning on a set of four beautiful sculptural Flowers and five rainbow-topped Tuned Drums for
the installation at the Johnny O. Harris Park on Broadway in Muskegon Heights.
All these community parks are gathering places not only for moms and kids on play-dates but also entire
neighborhoods for events, gatherings, and picnics. We are proud to add music-making to the mix!
MUSIC ts FoR EVERYONE!
And so is GREATER MUSKEGON!
Music is one of the few truly universal things we have on Earth, and the benefits of both listening to and playing
music are extensive. Music physically changes your brain for the better! Studies show that
listening to music can fully engage the brain, while playing music is equivalent to a full-body workout,
engaging practically every area of the brain at once — particularly the visual, auditory, and motor cortices. Music
strengthens these cortices and the links between them, benefitting us in all aspects of life. .
Music brings people together. In 2015, the City of Muskegon launched the WATCH MUSKEGON
public relations campaign which has become, by all measurements, an energizing and overwhelmingly positive
force for change in our community. Yet some in our community are unsure of where they fit into the current
resurgence. Some in our community have expressed the feeling that the downtown area “Ss not for them.”
The Muskegon Rotary Club believes that “/ATCHMUSKEGONPLAY can help to change this perception.
These instruments will belong to everyone and can be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of age, ethnicity, musical
ability, or training!
Music is a gathering force that builds community by
strengthening relationships. Musical parks make it possible to have a
park within a park that encourages group play between people of all
ages and abilities. Musical instruments in public spaces create social
sustainability for the entire community. It’s always a great day when
you get to take your children, or grandchildren, to a park, but many
playgrounds are designed for active kids, making it difficult for some
to participate. Musical playgrounds make it possible for ALL adults
and children to play with engaging, interactive, and inspiring art!
HELP US HELP THEM PLAY!
i MUSKEGON PLAY
ADVOCATES AND PARTNERS
WATCH MUSKEGON PLAY isa collaboration of the Muskegon Rotary Club and the West Michigan
Symphony led by a volunteer task force that includes:
Dave Alexander Muskegon Downtown Dev Authority, Muskegon Rotary
Pete Brown West Michigan Symphony
Andy Buelow West Michigan Symphony, Muskegon Rotary
Orville Crain Muskegon Rotary
Susan Cloutier-Crain West Michigan Symphony, Muskegon Rotary
Jan Deur West Michigan Symphony
Judith Hayner MuskegonCity Public Art Initiative, Muskegon Rotary
Bob Lukens Visit Muskegon, County of Muskegon
LeighAnn Mikesell City of Muskegon
Contributions may be sent to the HARMONY PARK FUND at the Community Foundation for Muskegon
County. For more information, please contact: Andy Buelow, 231.928.5731 info@westmichigansymphony.org
or Susan Crain, 231.282.1818 susancrainmkg@gmail.com
4
Future of Downtown BID, LSM 11-21-19
While the positive growth and development in our downtown is generating revenue for our Downtown
Development Authority, the partnership with the Downtown Business Improvement District needs to
continue. The funds generated through the Business Improvement District are essential to caring for the
landscaping and removing snow until the DDA funding is able sustain these activities.
There were a number of property owners within the downtown area that would eventually become the
BID, and these owners invested even as the mall was being demolished and much of downtown was
empty. Further development in the downtown was spurred by the city’s efforts to re-establish the
street grid with an attractive streetscape, and more property owners were added to the eventual
district. For the past 4 years, the revenue from the property owners has helped the city maintain the
streetscape and market the downtown to spur additional interest and development. Everyone,
including the city government and citizens, benefit from every dollar of contributions from the property
owners within the BID. We are creating long term opportunities for success in the downtown.
The unfortunate fact is that the city cannot fund these efforts alone, and the vast majority of the DDA
revenue must be used to pay the city’s last debts related to the Muskegon Mall. The remainder ofthe
limited budget is dedicated to funding prior commitments to improvements at the arena, maintenance
at downtown parks, and staff time to serve the DDA through marketing, events, development
assistance, and brownfield administration. The investments made in the greater downtown area are
inherent to the revitalization of our city. We have seen in numerous cases how early local government
and non-profit financing of the arena, dog park, farmer’s market, Western Market, and Midtown Square
has attracted more visitors and sparked interest by private developers in the downtown and near
downtown neighborhoods. Growth and continued development are spurred by these early ventures
because we have proven that investments in our downtown are not only secure but yield good returns.
Without the support of the BID board, the special assessment will not succeed, and the city will need to
find other revenue sources. The simplest method would be to implement paid parking on downtown
streets. However, city staff are not confident that implementing paid parking at this time is viable, and
we fear it will have a chilling effect on visitors to downtown businesses. Our preference is to work with
the property and business owners downtown to develop a phased approach to paid parking.
The pace of development depends on the beautification efforts within the BID. With large areas (17
acres) of undeveloped vacant land remaining in the downtown, we know there is more work to do. All
of the properties downtown are linked to each other and to the city government, and we will all succeed
or fail together.
To continue to build and develop our downtown, we must partner and pool funds to enhance the
attractive and vibrant atmosphere. Much like the DDA mission to create a thriving downtown where all
people want to live, work, play, and stay, our goal is to maintain and improve the quality of the
customer experience downtown so that every business and property can prosper. In the short term, the
most efficient and effective way to do that is to add another 3 years to the downtown BID special
assessment for a smaller overall district as shown on the map provided.
Proposed BID budget 2021
2021 estimated BID revenues * $115,000
*Based upon the
current annual 0.08
cent a square foot of
land capped at $4,000
per property owner.
2021 general BID expenditures
Snow removal $65,000
Landscaping $30,000
Marketing, promotion, events 0
Streetscape 0
Administration $17,000
Contingency $3,000
Total $115,000
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Bob Scolnik
As a County Commissioner, people sometimes think I have some special powers to
get things done. Local municipalities...Cities, Townships and Villages...are the
governments that have the responsibility and ability to work on the very local,
grassroots issues. Plus the local businesses. When I owned Muskegon Brake, I was
responsible for snow removal, not anyone else. I'm not a complainer and I've
spoken with many local leaders about getting the problem of snow removal
addressed in downtown Muskegon. I've gotten nowhere. Last night, I went to
dinner at the Marriott and Civic Theatre's production of "Our Town" in the
Beadsley Theater. There were 7 of us and my wife, Merle Scolnik, is in a
wheelchair. Getting her across the street to the Frauenthal, through unshoveled
drifts of snow and slush was difficult. Thankfully, a strong young man, Andrew
Foster, offered to push her through the mess to the Theater. After the play, I waited
for everyone to leave and there wasn't a single, cleared curb cut to get her into my
car! So I pulled up on the sidewalk and got her in the car and struggled to get the
wheelchair in the back without falling. It sucked!
So, Community Foundation Board Members...Asaline Scott...don't you have some
moral responsibilty to help the older and disabled population who attend events...in
numbers that are way out of proportion to the general community... in your
Theater? It's nice that you work on so many lofty issues, but here is a huge issue,
right at your front door and you ignore it. The Frauenthal Theater attracts lots of
older people with mobility issues and how many falls before something is done? I
sold Snow Plows and Ice Control equipment for years. This isn't rocket science. It
used to snow, on average, 22 times a year. But say there was snow 50 times per
year...you could hire a contractor with a snowblower and shovel to be out there
from 6 to 10 PM for probably $200 per time, or $10,000 per year. Add 50 cents to
your "Facility Fee" and get it done. Seriously, this is ridicuous. One more thing,
our party of 7, between theater tickets and dinner, spent about $375 in downtown
last night. Do you want us back? I'm watching.
One more thing! How about two spots, in a row, reserved for loading and
unloading people with disabilities. A 2 minute limit strictly enforced!
Heidi Sytsema, Cindy Larsen, Frank Peterson, Todd Jacobs Chris
McGuigan and Merle Scolnik «i Frauenthal Center
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