Grosse Ile DDA agrees to restart Island Nights, approves event grants and moves social district toward launch

The Grosse Ile Downtown Development Authority voted to resume Island Nights and approved reimbursable event grants and two $1,000 event expenditures to support Island Nights dates in July and August.

The decision followed public comment from residents and business owners urging the DDA to restore the summertime Island Nights series on Macomb Street. Pauline Muscat, who said she wrote a petition, told the board, “The purpose of this petition is to encourage the Grosse Ile Township and Downtown Development Authority to resume facilitation of Island Knights.”

Why it matters: Island Nights had previously been a regular monthly event on Macomb Street that residents and merchants said helped activate the business district, supported vendors without brick-and-mortar spaces and brought families to the street. Restarting the series is tied to other activation efforts, including a newly approved social district for Macomb Street.

Board action and what was approved - The board approved a business improvement grant application for Island Coney at 8200 Macomb in an amount not to exceed $4,510. Motion to approve: Mr. Jacobson; support: Mr. Anderson. The motion carried. - The board approved two reimbursable event expenditures of $1,000 each to fund Island Nights on July 25 and August 22. Motion to approve the July 25 expenditure: Ms. Armiak; support: Ms. Stanko. Motion to approve the August 22 expenditure: Ms. Armiak; support: Ms. Stanko. Both motions carried.

Public and business participation Business owners and residents offered to help run the events. Elizabeth Renaud, a Macomb Street business owner and vendor at the Grosse Ile Farmers Market, said the DDA’s staff capacity is limited and proposed a volunteer subcommittee. “If the DDA simply doesn't have the capacity to plan or support events like Islandites, then maybe we can create an event subcommittee made up of residents, business owners, and volunteers who can help,” Renaud said.

Event logistics and funding Ross (DDA/EDA staff) described a Business Improvement Grant that reimburses approved community event costs up to $1,000 per event, including marketing, performers and incidental expenses. He said applications and invoices are required for reimbursement and that applicants may submit multiple applications for separate event dates.

Social district and next steps In the EDA Director’s report, staff said businesses participating in the social district have been handed application packets and that the DDA will reimburse businesses for state inspection and application fees after submittal. The DDA staff said it has located a sign vendor whose estimate is lower than other quotes they obtained and that cup procurement for the social district is under review; staff estimated they could be ready by late July or August depending on state inspections.

What remains unresolved A business improvement grant application for Galindo's at 8756 Macomb was discussed but no final board vote on that specific grant appears in the record of this meeting. The board and volunteer organizers also agreed to form or re-establish an events subcommittee and to circulate the DDA application for community-run events; staff said the grant application is available online and can be emailed to applicants.

Looking ahead Staff said they will follow up with businesses and volunteers to coordinate marketing and logistics, share the grant application, and schedule the subcommittee discussions. The board indicated it intends to continue supporting Macomb Street activation measures and to post approved event content to DDA social channels once community-produced materials are shared.