[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6076675,"mediaKeyId","2968258-a3638ca27c151a454cc6fa1d54945849","parentId",2968258,"title","Committee reports: spring events, farmers market, sponsorships, retail outreach and website updates","audioSeconds",1247,"startMs",1593460,"endMs",2840480,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2968258-a3638ca27c151a454cc6fa1d54945849&start=1593&end=2840","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2968258-a3638ca27c151a454cc6fa1d54945849/thumbnail_1593460.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6076675/Birmingham-City/Oakland-County/Michigan/Committee-reports-spring-events-farmers-market-sponsorships-retail-outreach-and-website-updates","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076675-039e5dea5b57f144d8154e545dfaacd8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174573&Signature=TB2CPmt3IDUBKU~5gvv1l16wE7gayVO8beUPz~0cI2KqqEp5a5DMspoyVQlxGaI626IzJg52af~5uxoZcYu0mO~ELP5vXRQBe4bt1~5Ba9TbJyETQv5hyTOdj1fgPwKb4eyXOQOFg2u23E9nSFSHPUMIGZfswBv-K5HZegDA5JSx0rQIRl5~vq-pk9cSLzs7gJH6bsQc2kUvWuJMH50ow6KlbTYjQdsvMAlqZLMlVtsvBeGHolYzVCbeBiz5T62oBZ1MTnNIKQ9HdIoBRvwlyt~B3spr9IpQHKpqr-FUS2E6KIdNEOLx7b09FvkPXKXc0CEFtKMWdCQLjj5SekUpoA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Birmingham, MI","date","2025-04-03T00:00:00Z","article","Committee chairs and staff gave updates on special events, sponsorships, retail recruitment and the BSD's website redesign.

Events and sponsorships: Committee members said Birmingham Blast was popular but experienced long wait times at the zipline and discussed investigating a queue/notification system (texting or a restaurant-hold option) to reduce on-site waiting. The spring stroll registration has roughly doubled compared with the previous period, and the farmers market has about 20 applications in review; final vendor selections were not yet determined. Staff reported continued sponsorship interest and an increase in sponsor revenue compared with last year; committee members said they are balancing sponsor volume to avoid vendor saturation and are seeking higher-level series sponsors.

Retail recruitment & property-owner outreach: Staff and committee members described a property-owner outreach effort in which they visited multiple property owners and received feedback about use restrictions and business mix downtown. A volunteer guest, identified as Edna Ford (a retail consultant), provided a list of about 50–60 potential retailers and offered to remain engaged with committee meetings; staff said they will add many of the suggested targets to their outreach list. The committee emphasized marketing directed at office tenants to encourage midday and after-work patronage.

New openings & merchant outreach: Committee members reported several new businesses opening or about to open in the Triangle District and other downtown locations; staff said they are proactively contacting new ventures to offer resources and ensure businesses complete required city registrations. The committee also discussed merchant workshops planned for June, August and October and plans to improve merchant meeting turnout by offering targeted educational sessions.

Website and marketing: Staff reported the website redesign is in progress with GeoCentric and said mock-ups will be shown at an upcoming marketing committee meeting; functionality changes are the primary focus rather than a wholesale redesign.

Ending: Staff will continue property-owner outreach, finalize farmers market vendor selections, pursue sponsorships that fit space and brand goals, test queue/notification options for event lines and return to the board with updates.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","04.03.2025 Birmingham Shopping District Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Committee members reviewed Birmingham Blast lessons (zipline wait times), said Spring Stroll registrations doubled, reported about 20 farmers market applicants so far, discussed sponsorship strategy and planning for retail recruitment and property-owner outreach, and noted progress on a website redesign.","taxTitle","Birmingham City, Oakland County, Michigan","taxId",48746,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6076680,"BSD approves two media contracts for FY2026 — Beasley Media and iHeart",161,1370130,1531590,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2968258-a3638ca27c151a454cc6fa1d54945849&start=1370&end=1531","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2968258-a3638ca27c151a454cc6fa1d54945849/thumbnail_1370130.jpg","/articles/6076680/Birmingham-City/Oakland-County/Michigan/BSD-approves-two-media-contracts-for-FY2026-Beasley-Media-and-iHeart","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076680-c026b5a929c9067553ae2892e5da2e6a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174573&Signature=TP1pC8Y756EnIo19sHx4V~d71XxpaeiowH4ZDPn~K7QW28JharW~PLrQnHknFEdPlclQnP9UBWFyPrOWYCAbYtUaW4tgNgCXMprZtphhJ8JWIAeQyVZJFED9Yxx5aWCe0gJTXRjsPOZJzd667nBsjPrCQ6Q02AyVXKxDgU3fYxnGHdN63G6vz-QUIW-qhhodxKez~30v9-bVVQo8CNV7BjhboBN45sO8CeSTlhB5iOq3crD15fvd2XzwQQzI-SMWfB-XASpYMzdI-r8rw4wQ471~qe9IOzTCODRADKoiExt1vnYZ0sl2XKupbOhwiAB-UDSxSgiY5LbN4-Cwe9Ns7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Birmingham City BSD approved two advertising contracts for fiscal year 2026, authorizing a media plan that combines digital streaming, broadcast, targeted mobile video and social endorsements tied to BSD events and promotions.

Staff presented two contracts: one with Beasley Media Group for $30,500 and a second with iHeart (staff cited $30,820.02). The Beasley plan emphasized digital streaming and social advertising; the iHeart plan included broadcast spots on WNIC, targeted mobile video, a holiday broadcast campaign and social endorsements with a local personality used in last year's campaign. Staff characterized both proposals as similar to the prior year's work, with some tactical tweaks and coverage for most events during the year.

A motion to approve the advertising contracts was made at the meeting. The motion passed on a roll-call vote; board members recorded votes in the affirmative (several board members answered \"Yes\" during roll call). The contracts will fund advertising for the BSD's FY2026 media plan running July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.

Ending: Staff will finalize media plans with the two contractors and coordinate additional media partners at lower rates to complete the FY2026 advertising program.","The BSD approved two advertising contracts for the July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026 fiscal year: Beasley Media Group for $30,500 and iHeart for $30,820.02, funding a mix of digital, broadcast and social advertising tied to events and general marketing.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6076683,"MSU Federal Credit Union outlines $2,500 matching grants and business support for Main Street businesses",100,715640,816235,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2968258-a3638ca27c151a454cc6fa1d54945849&start=715&end=816","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2968258-a3638ca27c151a454cc6fa1d54945849/thumbnail_715640.jpg","/articles/6076683/Birmingham-City/Oakland-County/Michigan/MSU-Federal-Credit-Union-outlines-2500-matching-grants-and-business-support-for-Main-Street-businesses","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076683-d0b369bb43d10902499ae950c96643fb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174573&Signature=PYK~GVi~RW05BsAf3s8gwWxYdyL0n-EK3qFB~SDR4x2UBiPhh5EBTLup1HKq0DUA~nWVO8cn1jbZaFt85iouI4ABnOJPL4tXE7xFOuA4Dc8oq3uOsI0nSN--Ah-MMP0eshnZtw-2kjkOdzuUv8W-759juTDHSPa7ZJVg4KNFhs~hlHeJ6Jyr~ue6W1ZGs4PVtTCK-uXVJ9d-~kY0JpRuyfooKUR48KPpFUeskKm7fDN37zm1sCAOtFgPMrp~9x0vOOEsCcm8IgMswdEBYW07-Ahwu4X2JxyQ1vQm2sNW8gzO-geKTdBKT1eylvBYq-VpEcWYuZTr~uD4UMnfWFqoZQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives of MSU Federal Credit Union described a small-business grant program and offered to share application information through Main Street channels.

Ian Duckinson, identified in the meeting as the market manager in the community impact division for Southeast Michigan, told the BSD that the program is a matching grant up to $2,500, run twice a year, and that the next application cycle opens in May. Duckinson said the credit union's community impact fund — not the institution's marketing budget — supplies the grant money. He said last year the program awarded just over $17,000 across two cycles and that the BSD was one of the program's recipients.

Duckinson and other credit union representatives said the grant can support website development, customer-relationship-management systems, digital marketing and similar technical needs. He said participating businesses can also access the credit union's business products and services, including business accounts and loans, and that the credit union offers consultations and seminars for grant recipients.

BSD staff and the credit union discussed operational details: the program requires a match from the business, applications are coordinated through the Main Street contact (named in the meeting as Eric Phillips for distribution), and the credit union can provide outreach and consultation to businesses that need help assembling an application or planning for the match requirement. No formal BSD action was required at the meeting; staff said they will circulate the grant information and application timeline to local businesses.

Ending: BSD staff will share the credit union's application information with downtown businesses and encourage eligible firms to apply in the next cycle.

","MSU Federal Credit Union representatives described a matching grant program that awards up to $2,500 per business toward website, CRM, digital marketing and other capacity-building needs; the credit union also said it can provide in-house business support and products to participating businesses.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6076689,"BSD reports $1.5 million fund balance; staff flags DPS line over budget",348,97625,446610,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2968258-a3638ca27c151a454cc6fa1d54945849&start=97&end=446","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2968258-a3638ca27c151a454cc6fa1d54945849/thumbnail_97625.jpg","/articles/6076689/Birmingham-City/Oakland-County/Michigan/BSD-reports-15-million-fund-balance-staff-flags-DPS-line-over-budget","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076689-90ce93b28c0dd7f80dfc9b451c4bd675/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174573&Signature=cTzHlOHiODvVajpzKapQiRf-5~WEz-4ZuhZM7BKLRUkbMmCd~CM0VpaaLO0I1lyJmZAvExzojGsfilys3TI28N0RHT06puSrVWT7hhcq9LlogSOSU~nhby0NgigUW4NwGrbdraur~56-jugJYHogBCfZSZKJObjdGm6vtyL8Y39r7FD3T-a8GPKOwVVDM0N~xD5dX3RgPmPuRO9atM4MikpHte3cWLTbcKPxpk5dW2msIZEiSLdEiFcCtTrHCSNXloWcCLNcfxUyyby0KgDvU1912P6Z8IteyVIH6JSgh6kAWEayzQo~KAud-y4sf9r3UhNxwr0u5-Ha7xBoU~eDAg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Birmingham City Business Improvement District (BSD) reported a total fund balance of $1,500,290.34 and said special assessment receipts and investment income are beginning to arrive.

At the BSD meeting, staff presented the monthly financial report, saying year-to-date contributions from private sources — sponsorships and donations — total $175,060. Accounts payable were described as “a little under $30,000,” and staff noted a suspense account entry reflecting an accidental double payment on a special assessment that will be returned to the property owner.

Finance staff emphasized that Downtown Public Safety (DPS) spending is running significantly ahead of where it typically should be at this point in the fiscal year. “At this point in the year, we should be at about 66% spent, but we're at about 98% for DPS,” a staff presenter said; staff said they found an overcharge for February that should reduce the line by roughly $4,000 when corrected and that they are exploring cost-saving options for DPS funds.

Staff also reported employee costs are running about 57% of budget to date and that the BSD expects to hire three to four seasonal employees for the summer season, which will increase payroll spending. Website maintenance and vendor transition costs were described as an encumbrance the BSD expects to absorb without exceeding budgeted amounts. Marketing and advertising and special-event budgets were described as tracking near plan, with some events expected to be slightly over budget.

Staff provided a brief snapshot of liabilities and mortgage figures and said total expenditures shown in the report were $905,720.62; they said outstanding special assessments and incoming receipts should reduce the operating deficit identified in the report. No formal action was taken on the financial report; staff said they will return with corrected numbers in next month’s packet and continue to monitor the DPS line and other costs.

Ending: BSD staff said they will correct the identified billing error on the DPS line for the next report, continue monitoring employee and events spending, and follow up as special assessments are collected.","Staff told the Birmingham City BSD that the fund balance is $1,500,290.34 and that special assessments and investment income are arriving; they warned the DPS line is at about 98% of budget versus a 66% target and said staff will monitor and correct account charges.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee reports: spring events, farmers market, sponsorships, retail outreach and website updates

BSD approves two media contracts for FY2026 — Beasley Media and iHeart

MSU Federal Credit Union outlines $2,500 matching grants and business support for Main Street businesses

BSD reports $1.5 million fund balance; staff flags DPS line over budget