Burton DDA approves $3,000 for downtown flower pots, watering-can campaign

The Burton Downtown Development Authority approved up to $3,000 to purchase and place flower pots and distribute watering cans across the DDA district, the authority voted at its January 2025 meeting.

The funds, approved to come from the DDA’s community decorations line item, will pay for pre-planted pots and branded watering cans supplied through local vendors to support a Beautify Burton volunteer effort. Chair (Burton DDA) called for audience participation and invited a representative from Beautify Burton to present the proposal before the vote.

Chris, a volunteer with Beautify Burton, told the board the pots would be “preassembled ready to go” and said he preferred professionals to select and plant the flowers: “I don’t want to pick out the flowers; I would rather have a professional…they know what will grow in these pots.” He said the project will also buy watering cans from Gilroy Highwear and use Harmon Printers for stickers bearing DDA and Beautify Burton logos.

A board member moved to budget the money and a second was recorded; the board then conducted a roll-call vote. The DDA recorded unanimous approval: Mr. Richvalski—yes; Mr. Coats—yes; Mr. Henry—yes; Mrs. Hereford—yes; Mr. Wagner—yes. The motion carried.

Board members and the Beautify Burton representative discussed placement plans along Saginaw Street between Maple and Hemphill and said the group will try to distribute pots evenly across the corridor. The DDA noted it has already spent roughly $560 on watering cans for earlier work and that the purchase now would be covered by the community decorations line item.

The DDA invited the Beautify Burton volunteer to coordinate placement and encouraged the group to return with implementation details. The board’s next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 17 at 8:30 a.m., when members said they expect to follow up on placement and any additional requests.