Coldwater DDA urges city council to fund full five-block streetscape with amenities

Coldwater Downtown Development Authority members voted to ask Coldwater City Council to allocate funds for the high-end, five-block version of a downtown streetscape project that includes pedestrian amenities, landscaping and traffic-calming measures.

The board approved a motion directing staff to prepare a recommendation letter to city council backing Option B, the 5-block, amenity-inclusive plan, and encouraged members to attend the council budget meeting on April 14. Audrey (director) told the board the city had set aside about $1.5 million of general fund balance for a downtown project but that the full five-block plan would require additional funding and grant work.

The vote followed a long discussion of two competing proposals: a lower-cost “maintenance” option focused on sidewalks and infrastructure, and a higher-cost streetscape that would add trees, medians, seating, wayfinding and other pedestrian amenities. Audrey summarized the choice plainly: "If we don't get it now or in the very near future, the opportunity could be lost for another 20, 30, or 40 years," and urged the board to press council for the more ambitious alternative.

Why it matters: Board members said the streetscape is a once-in-decades opportunity to make downtown safer and more attractive to residents and visitors. Supporters argued that traffic calming, visible crosswalks and landscaping would make walking and biking to the downtown more comfortable and attract more investment; critics and skeptics pressed on funding and sequencing questions, including how the 2024 millage proceeds have already been allocated.

Cost and timeline: The packet presented a range of estimates. Audrey said the five-block, high-end plan approaches $4 million; a smaller two-block high-end alternative and lower-end maintenance plans fall in lower ranges. Staff and board members noted the work will require outside grant funding, coordination with CBPU for utility upgrades, and cannot be completed in the next one to two years. Audrey told the board the earliest realistic start for construction is 2027.

Next steps: The board voted to send a recommendation supporting Option B to city council and asked members to attend the council's April 14 budget meeting. Audrey said staff will follow up with a formal recommendation letter and continue grant-seeking activity; DDA members discussed coordinating testimony and outreach to increase the project's chances when council finalizes the budget.

Quotes

"If we don't get it now or in the very near future, the opportunity could be lost for another 20, 30, or 40 years," Audrey, director, said during discussion.

"We got 438 responses to our surveys...The public interest in that downtown streetscape was some of the most robust public engagement that we've had in this community," Dean said, citing community survey feedback in support of an ambitious plan.

Ending

Board members agreed the streetscape debate will require sustained advocacy to city council and additional grant work. The DDA instructed staff to prepare the recommendation letter and encouraged members to attend the April 14 council budget meeting at 5:30 p.m.