City of Harbor Springs DDA meeting 4/10/24

Detailed briefing

DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY — APRIL 10, 2024 • The board approved the consent agenda, which now combines meeting minutes and financials. Members questioned an apparent Ice Fest loss, but the discussion indicated some bills had not yet been reflected. Staff said financial reports should be included in the consent agenda going forward. • The board voted to have OHM solicit bids for the Merchants Walkway, including alternatives with and without retaining-wall work. Staff clarified that OHM’s paid $20,000 contract already includes bidding services. The board did not approve a construction contract or final construction scope; it plans to reconsider the work after receiving actual bid prices. • OHM said its current walkway design addresses drainage, ADA accessibility, deteriorating stairs, code-compliant railings and failures in the retaining wall. A smaller proposal using pavers and leaving most of the wall in place was also discussed. Board concerns included drainage capacity, future repairs, utility conflicts, liability, conflict-of-interest questions and compliance with city bidding procedures. • Timing remains uncertain. The transcript says the normal bid period is four weeks, followed by DDA and potentially City Council approvals. OHM advised that requiring completion by July 4 could raise costs or limit contractor interest and suggested a later fall completion. Staff discussed a possible temporary concrete cap and blocking the stairs for summer use, but no temporary plan was approved. • The DDA’s updated online business directory went live shortly before the meeting. It draws from Google Sheets and will gain category-based searching. Business email addresses have not yet been verified. Promotions Committee members discussed contacting businesses to confirm their listings. • After extensive discussion, the board unanimously voted to remove from this year’s wayfinding directory businesses outside city limits and businesses that are not oriented toward foot traffic, while revisiting the policy for the following year. Members discussed retaining visitor-oriented destinations such as dining, retail and personal services, but the exact final list was not presented at the meeting. • Third Street lighting is expected to be installed in spring, after which the existing twinkle lights will be removed. Signplicity is assessing wayfinding-sign repairs; the DDA has $3,000 available this year. Flower planting is scheduled for Sunday, May 19, at noon, with volunteers encouraged. Worth watching: 1. The Merchants Walkway bid results and the eventual choice between full and reduced scopes. 2. Whether City Council action is required and how that affects construction timing. 3. The final businesses included on the revised wayfinding signs. Upcoming: Flower planting is scheduled for Sunday, May 19, at noon; regular Promotions and Downtown Enhancement committee meetings are also to be scheduled. Why it matters: The decisions affect pedestrian safety, downtown infrastructure spending and which Harbor Springs businesses receive DDA-funded visitor promotion.

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