Downtown Development Authority Meeting - 2020-07-02

Detailed briefing

Downtown Development Authority Meeting — July 2, 2020 • The DDA approved the June 4 meeting minutes. No public comment was offered at the start of the meeting. • Members reviewed downtown COVID-era activity. Street Musique was set to begin that evening at four locations: the Waterfront, York, Johann’s, and Marianne Archer. State Street was to close from Main to Bay at 5:30 p.m. for the event, with no vehicle towing planned because there was no traffic-control order. The Blessing of the Fleet and Street Musique were planned together that evening. • The city had approved alcohol consumption in a designated southwest area of Marina Park, near the pier, subject to restaurant compliance with state liquor requirements. Members discussed signage, boundaries, enforcement, and whether alcohol should eventually be allowed in additional green spaces. No expansion was decided; members said that would need City Council review. • City Council had approved shade sails near the pier. Seven picnic tables were funded through fundraising, and the city purchased five more tables for placement where needed. The tables and sails were expected in a couple of weeks. Members discussed promoting the waterfront seating and possibly holding a ribbon-cutting once installed. • The tree-grate project remained postponed after City Council tabled it without specifying when it should return. Discussion focused on developing a clearer overall plan, including project phasing, electrical work, traffic-control costs, downtown disruption, and financing. One council member volunteered time to help organize the information and said the issue would be raised at Monday’s council meeting. • The DDA is seeking Emmet County’s allocated TIF capture going forward. Members planned to present upcoming DDA projects and their broader benefits to individual county commissioners before a possible August county-board discussion. The group said it was focusing on future funding rather than past amounts. Worth watching: • Whether City Council gives a clear timeline and scope for returning the tree-grate project. • Whether the county agrees to provide future allocated TIF capture. • Whether the DDA’s director hours and project load can be supported within the budget. Upcoming: Members discussed moving the August DDA meeting to August 13 at 6 a.m.; the transcript does not show a formal vote on the change. Why it matters: Decisions on downtown infrastructure, outdoor activity, and stable funding will shape how Harbor Springs manages a busy summer and future improvements.

No open public follow-ups are linked to this meeting yet.