Downtown Development Authority Meeting - 2023-03-08

Detailed briefing

Downtown Development Authority Meeting — March 8, 2023 • Ice Fest was reported as a successful downtown event despite warm, sunny conditions that caused sculptures to melt quickly. Staff said the event included 36 single-block sculptures, eight live demonstrations, carriage rides, s’mores, park attractions, and hot-chocolate sales by St. Michael’s athletics and the Best Western. The snowshoes and Topo Nexus attractions did not occur. • The DDA reported Ice Fest had $28,100 in revenue generators and netted $3,851 after stated event costs, including $20,250 paid to Rock on Ice, advertising, and signs. The $900 sandwich-board sign cost is not expected to recur because the boards can be reused. • The Ice Fest committee discussed possible improvements for next year: food vendors or a community-center lunch if a chili cook-off is not possible; a downtown sledding hill; additional sponsorship signs; replacing dueling chainsaws with a fire-and-ice show; clearer scheduling of demonstrations and volunteers; and more Friday-evening programming. The committee expects to resume planning in late summer to establish a timeline. • The Downtown Enhancement Committee is moving forward again on the Merchants Walkway Project. Staff said a new design is being prepared using earlier DDA and committee input. Elements discussed included concrete, a brick ramp, gardens, a wall, and options to direct water toward the sewer area. • Members discussed MDOT’s possible rerouting of M-119 from Lake to Paul, which would bypass downtown. Discussion included concern that reduced through traffic could affect businesses, as well as possible benefits if the city gained greater control of Main Street, such as street closures for festivals and lower speed limits. No DDA position was recorded. A public commenter urged opposition, citing concerns for visitors unfamiliar with the area. • The DDA also discussed a proposed downtown snow-removal management approach. Property owners would remain responsible for clearing sidewalks within 12 hours under the ordinance. If sidewalks were not cleared, a DDA-managed contractor could perform the work, while the city would bill the property owner. The proposal was not finalized. Worth watching: • Whether the DDA takes a formal position on the proposed M-119 rerouting after public feedback. • Development and review of the revised Merchants Walkway design. • Whether City Council and the DDA proceed with a contractor-based snow-removal enforcement system. Upcoming: Public hearing on the possible M-119 rerouting, Thursday, 6-8 p.m.; Ice Fest planning is expected to restart in late summer. Why it matters: The issues discussed could affect downtown traffic, business visibility, pedestrian safety, public-space design, and DDA spending.

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