DDA

Goal 1:
Improve drainage, traffic circulation, visibility, parking aesthetics, and public facilities

Objectives:

• Dumpster Corrals: Design and construct a screened area for waste containers located within parking lots 1, 2, 4, and the alley behind the Walldorff for the businesses within the block.
• Parking Lots: Repair or resurface parking lots 2 and 5. Build out parking lot 8.
• Parking Lot Screening and Signage: Install brick piers, decorative fencing, and a sign at the entrance and black woven fencing on the retaining wall of Parking Lot 5. Consider an expansion to include the adjacent parking lot in the rear of Chemical Bank and the development of a permanent Farmers Market Structure.
• Bridge Rehabilitation: Assist in the rehabilitation of the Michigan Avenue bridge by MDOT and the City of Hastings by financially supporting the local match required in grant funding.
• Create a mid-block access from Lot 4 to W. State Street adjacent to 137 W. State St.

Goal 2:
Install landscaping, street surfacing, signage, parking, pedestrian areas, street lighting, trees and other plantings, curbs and gutters, street improvements and river/creek enhancement

Objectives:

• River Trail/Walk: Financially support an improved trail in the Downtown area, connecting Tyden Park to Phase I and Phase II under the Broadway Bridge.
• City Parks: Assist with recreational infrastructure development and equipment purchase through providing a portion of matching grant fund requirements of State and Federal agencies in Downtown Parks.
• Wayfinding: Enhance both vehicular and pedestrian level signage that will direct and guide visitors throughout downtown to local attractions and services.
• Café Tables and Chairs: Install Chairs and tables to encourage shopping and dining downtown, longer stays, thus creating vibrancy on the sidewalks. Allow patrons to be seen enjoying themselves outside. Limit the liability of merchants
  providing such facilities while creating a theme and using quality, standard setting furniture that compliments the existing streetscape infrastructure.
• Parking Lot Lights and Bollards: Evaluate and further light the municipal parking lots as needed. Create a connection to and from the lots in the downtown area. Encourage use of the lots and improve security. Improve the connection between North Jefferson Street, the alley, and the parking lot at Church and Apple with lighting, bollards, and decorative walks.
• Street Light Underground Conduit and Public Address System: Continue to install street light conduit where necessary. Develop a design and cost estimate for the installation of a downtown PA system to utilize the street light underground conduit. Construct the project when funds are available.
• Park Facility Improvements: Improve lighting within the parks located in the DDA District. Evaluate the need and cost to improve the play structures.
• Public Art: Develop and implement a public art initiative that will place sculptures throughout the downtown on a permanent basis.
• Streetscape Maintenance: Develop and fund an annual streetscape infrastructure maintenance and improvement program.
• Streetscape Improvement and Expansion: Assist in the further development of public streetscape and complimenting private landscaping, fencing, and screening at important intersections and entries to the Downtown.

Goal 3:
Develop new facilities by developing underutilized sites and by removing incompatible uses

Objectives:

• Purchase and redevelop the lot at 134 East Court Street for parking when available on agreeable terms. This vacant and under-improved lot is for sale and is not a desirable land use. The site could facilitate increased parking opportunities for southeast downtown merchants and reduce parking congestion in the southeast lots.
• Construct a parking Lot at 128 North Michigan Avenue to assist with the construction of a new Fire Station within Parking Lot #3.
• Consider acquiring underutilized and lower value properties for redevelopment as long-term parking or for redevelopment throughout the Downtown.
• Implement elements of the South Hanover Street Corridor Study related to overhead street banners, pedestrian lighting, segmented boulevards, decorative stamped concrete intersections and crosswalks etc.
• Purchase, demolish, and redevelop, or hold for future redevelopment, the residential property on East Center Street and South Michigan Avenue as they become available.

Goal 4:
Redevelop new and existing commercial and residential facilities

Objectives:

• Facade Improvements: Continue funding of the façade grant program. The program is very effective in creating investment in historic architectural features, improved signage, and energy-efficient windows and doors. The program is popular with the merchants and building owners and helps engage them in other community building activities.
• Parking Lot Fencing and Screening: As part of the façade improvement program, provide applicants matching grants to comply with the zoning code that requires parking lots to be screened with decorative steel fencing and brick piers/posts within the Downtown.
• Skate Park Redevelopment: Assist local bike and skateboard enthusiasts with the investment in new equipment in the existing skate park within the DDA District. The current park is very well utilized and maintained by the skaters and bikers and a draw to the community to those involved in the sport.

Goal 5:
Strengthen downtown neighborhoods to support a harmonious relationship between commercial and residential areas

Objectives:

• East End Redevelopment Plan: Support redevelopment efforts of the industrial zoned property south of Mill Street on the Thornapple River. Invest in plans, create incentives, or fund capital improvements to attract and engage developers
  to reinvest in vacant and underutilized property located on South Boltwood Street.
• Hanover Street Downtown & Neighborhood Entry: When feasible, implement the design and construction of the Hanover Street plan completed by the DDA in May, 2010.

Goal 6:
Market downtown events and achievements to stimulate investment, shopping, dining, service provision, visitation, and tourism while elevating local pride and image

Objectives:

• Continue the marketing of the community through direct mail, print advertising, billboards, television commercials, web sites, etc. and events to draw in visitors and to remind local residents of the great things the City has to offer.
• Support and participate in various downtown events through sponsorship, advertising, and infrastructure improvement when requested or desired by the DDA, including Art Hop, Jazz Fest, Summerfest, Christmas, Ball Drop, Harvest Fest, The Barry Roubaix, Playing at the Plaza, Late Till 8, and the Farmers Market.
• Continue to enhance and maintain the DDA web site and increase promotion through other social media sites.
• Create and facilitate public art projects downtown utilizing matching funding from community sponsors, and through commissions and joint efforts with the Thornapple Arts Council.
• Upon request, the DDA will consider the funding of other projects and activities that help market the DDA District.