Cascade DDA selects West Michigan Holiday Lighting, authorizes up to $35,000 for village decorations

Cascade Charter Township Downtown Development Authority members voted to select West Michigan Holiday Lighting to supply and install this year’s holiday decorations in the village and authorized staff to finalize a contract up to $35,000.

Staff presented a summary of four responsive bids and explained that proposals varied widely depending on which locations and optional elements were included — base bids addressed Tassel Park, Memorial Park and the Stone House, while add-ons covered the pedestrian bridge, streetlights along the main strip and Friendship Park. The township previously spent about $20,000 on decorations; the proposals received this year include substantially more lighting and options, and the $35,000 authorization draws on available DDA funds, including an unused tactical urbanism line.

Board members said they preferred concentrating effort and budget on more visible, high-traffic areas (the main strip, pedestrian bridge and museum-area trees) rather than allocating the bulk of funding to Tassel Park, which receives less foot traffic. Staff noted one vendor, West Michigan Holiday Lighting, proposed selling lights to the township (meaning the township would own the inventory), while others proposed only installation and maintenance; staff cautioned that ownership can shift replacement and maintenance responsibilities to the township over time and that warranties vary by vendor.

The DDA considered historical work by Outdoor Lighting Perspectives, which has performed many prior installations and submitted a lower-cost base bid in some line items, but members expressed interest in trying a different vendor either for quality or to pursue particular design options. After discussion, a motion to select West Michigan Holiday Lighting and authorize staff to finalize details and contract terms up to $35,000 passed on a board voice vote with no recorded opposition.

Staff will convene a walkthrough with the selected vendor and invited board volunteers to refine the final design, confirm the included work (which may reduce or reallocate Tassel Park elements), and return final pricing and scope to the board or call a special meeting if additional approval is required.