Downtown business and civic leaders urge council to back $3.7 million streetscape plan

Coldwater business owners and downtown advocates urged the City Council on April 28 to move forward with a $3,700,000 comprehensive streetscape plan for the downtown corridor between Clay and Jefferson streets.

The project "would make downtown safer for pedestrians," business owner Michael Caywood said, and "encourage investment in downtown buildings and also attract and retain talent because we have a viable and desirable downtown." Caywood identified himself as a Coldwater resident, owner of Hass Caywood, DC and Caywood Propane, and a downtown building owner.

The plan, supporters said, would replace infrastructure that has not had a major upgrade since 1988 and would include features intended to slow vehicle traffic, improve sidewalks and add amenities. "What we are proposing is making downtown a destination that people want to spend time in," Courtney Dershell said. Dershell identified herself as vice president of the Downtown Development Authority and Coldwater Main Street and owner of Second Story Marketing.

Why it matters: Downtown proponents told council the plan could increase public safety, attract customers and new businesses, and strengthen property values in the DDA district. Dean Walrack, a Fourth Ward resident who helped organize public responses, said 438 people answered a recent corridor and amenity survey. Audrey, who described herself as Main Street director and Growth Alliance director, told council that downtown already draws about 186,000 visitors per year accounting for roughly 1,300,000 trips and that almost half the visits are local.

Supporters offered specific features and local examples. Von Svoboda, speaking both as a representative of the Coldwater Community Center and as a Third Ward resident, said the plan includes an ice-melt capability built into sidewalks and recounted a January fall that left him hospitalized as an example of a safety issue the design could address. Laura Trojnowski, a DDA board member and downtown jeweler, said sidewalks are uneven and tripping hazards that need repair. Brad Rockey, a DDA board member and long-time downtown business operator, said prior streetscape work produced visible community benefits and higher morale.

Council did not take formal action on the streetscape plan at the meeting. City staff and DDA supporters told council the concept dates to previous planning work: a Downtown Development Authority (DDA) TIF amendment from 2002 and a comprehensive streetscape plan developed in 2021. Audrey summarized past planning and outreach and asked the council to "take this once every 40 year opportunity to do something really transformative that builds community, that supports business, and that makes this a place that, your grand kiddos dream about moving back to or moving to." The clerk said written letters of support submitted by residents and organizations would be entered into the meeting minutes.

Discussion points: Supporters emphasized pedestrian safety, economic attraction and the long interval since the last comprehensive overhaul. Speakers cited survey results and usage statistics as evidence of downtown’s importance. Cost of the proposed plan was stated as $3,700,000; supporters said a portion of funding could come from local sources and existing DDA/TIF capacity but no formal funding motion was before council on April 28.

What’s next: Council did not vote on funding or a contract at the April 28 meeting. Supporters noted prior planning steps and public comments that will feed any future formal proposal. The clerk confirmed letters of public support from multiple residents and downtown stakeholders were received and will be included in the minutes.