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Adrian College students present downtown survey with housing, parks and entertainment ideas
Summary
A class of 38 Adrian College students presented a downtown survey and proposals for retail visibility, park improvements, entertainment and student housing models; Community Development staff said many ideas align with current work and will be pursued.
Adrian College leadership students presented condensed results of a downtown survey at the Nov. 17 Adrian City Commission meeting, offering recommendations aimed at increasing downtown vibrancy and strengthening ties between the college and the city.
Community Development Director Lisa Hewitt Cruz introduced the project and said 38 students spent months on the study in partnership with faculty and city staff. Students reviewed five domains — retail, parks, entertainment, housing and restaurants — and proposed practical ideas ranging from storefront façade improvements and signage, family-friendly park features and outdoor fitness equipment, to indoor recreational spaces and student-oriented housing models.
Student presenter McKenna LaFleur said the retail review found more shops than expected but inconsistent advertising; she suggested storefront uplifts and a play-it-again-sports concept that could include new and reusable sports gear. Vanessa Rubin recommended park improvements at Burr Ponds, Riverside and Vee Park and suggested lighted seasonal paths and family programming. Alyssa Cam urged reuse of underutilized downtown buildings for recreational and entertainment venues tailored to college students and local residents. Jacob Molenich summarized housing survey results indicating demand for one- to four-bedroom apartment models with in-unit amenities; Matthew Fletcher recommended restaurant and sports-bar concepts to attract students downtown.
Lisa Hewitt Cruz told commissioners the presentations "will not fall on deaf ears" and identified housing and restaurant ideas as areas staff is actively pursuing; Abigail DeMeo, a city staff member who worked with the students, was credited for coordination. Commissioners asked that the student findings be shared with the commission packet and discussed in follow-up sessions; staff said they will return with more details and potential next steps to move viable ideas toward implementation.
What’s next: Staff indicated some proposals could be directed to the DDA and appropriate committees; commissioners requested a written copy of the students’ presentation for further review.
