Downtown Development Authority Meeting - 2026-07-08

Detailed briefing

Downtown Development Authority Special Meeting — July 8, 2026 ATTENDEES: Roll call recorded Gail Brown, Sarah Echelbrunner, Chuck Crummers, Margaret Tweeten, Maggie Lacy and Allison Larson present; a quorum was declared. • The DDA received a progress report on its downtown streetscape conceptual master plan. The consultant said the survey drew 160 responses, with nearly 70% coming from full-time or seasonal Harbor Springs residents. The plan remains a broad framework rather than a construction document, and no final plan was approved at this meeting. • Survey themes emphasized preserving Harbor Springs’ existing character, keeping designs simple, improving pedestrian safety, supporting healthy trees and landscaping, and organizing bicycle parking. Respondents showed strong attachment to existing globe and gooseneck lights, alongside some interest in converting fixtures or tops to more dark-sky-compatible designs. • Crosswalk safety was repeatedly identified as a concern, but support for physical curb extensions, commonly called bumpouts, was closely divided, with slightly more respondents opposed. The consultant said removing or restriping parking near crosswalks could address visibility without installing bumpouts. Less-aggressive design options were preferred for the downtown central zone, downtown neighborhood zone and Spring Street; the more extensive option was preferred for the waterfront zone. • Public commenters raised sustained objections to narrowing streets, losing parking, installing bumpouts, and making permanent changes for conditions concentrated in the summer season. Marina and delivery access on Bay Street was a particular concern. Several speakers also said the first survey was confusing and lacked a clear option to keep existing conditions unchanged. • Other comments supported centralized bicycle parking, moving the first parking space farther from intersections, preparing underground conduit when sidewalks are replaced, improving tree conditions, and considering heated sidewalks or less-invasive pedestrian signs. One speaker supported testing temporary changes before committing to permanent construction. • Board discussion leaned toward limited, incremental enhancement rather than major redesign. Members said more public input is needed. The chair explained that an eventual DDA-approved plan would go to the Planning Commission for review and City Council for final approval; the DDA cannot implement the plan without council approval. Worth watching: 1. Whether the next survey clearly includes a no-change option and distinguishes physical bumpouts from painted areas. 2. How the preferred plan addresses Bay Street width, marina access, parking and year-round conditions. 3. Whether future concepts reflect the stated preference for minimal change. Upcoming: Three one-hour public sessions are planned for next week, followed by a simplified survey and a July 30 preferred-plan presentation. Possible adoption was moved from September to October. Why it matters: The resulting framework could guide future downtown infrastructure and streetscape spending, but specific projects would require further design, public review and approval.

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