DDA/PSD Board Meeting

Summary

The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Board meeting on June 10, 2026, focused on reviewing preliminary results from an online and open house survey regarding downtown streetscape improvements. The survey had low participation (29 online responses, 10 open house cards) and some clarity issues. Safety and aesthetics were top priorities among respondents. The board discussed improving the survey for clarity, adding comment sections, and increasing public engagement through multiple open houses and direct mail postcards. The Planning Commission's role versus the DDA's was clarified, particularly regarding zoning and development approvals. Updates on new businesses, merchant licenses, and the Main Street development project were provided. The promotions and enhancement committees reported on ongoing activities, including a social media workshop and maintenance tasks. The board agreed to continue refining the survey and outreach efforts, with a special meeting planned for July 8 to focus on the streetscape plan.

• Organize multiple informal open house sessions in July to gather public inputOpen

• Coordinate mailing postcards with QR codes to all Harbor Springs residents to encourage survey participationOpen

• Share merchant license applications with DDA liaison to improve business engagementOpen

• Revise and clarify the streetscape survey questions by end of the weekOpen

• Distribute revised survey via newspaper and online platformsOpen

• Promotions committee to conduct social media workshop and continue refining shopping mapOpen

• Prepare for special DDA meeting on July 8 focused on streetscape planOpen

• Continue monitoring and planning for dumpster management in New York lot, with possible implementation in fallOpen

• Enhancement committee to proceed with maintenance tasks when weather permitsOpen

• Evaluate public engagement strategies and adjust as needed to increase participationOpen