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Board discusses downtown retail losses and strategies to boost Big Rapids' vibrancy; public art and live music seen as tools
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Summary
During unscheduled business the board discussed recent downtown business closures and brainstormed strategies — including more restaurants, live music, denser public art/murals and engaging students — to draw foot traffic and support retail recovery in Big Rapids.
During unscheduled business the Parks & Recreation board devoted extended time to downtown economic concerns after members reported recent downtown businesses closing or moving.
Speaker 6 raised concern that two downtown businesses had left and said that parks and downtown vitality go hand-in-hand. "I just wanted to voice that concern," Speaker 6 said, adding that downtown retail and parks programming are connected in attracting visitors.
Members debated causes and remedies: higher rent and tax burdens for building owners, weak demand for higher-priced boutique retail, and the need for regular attractions such as restaurants and live music to drive consistent foot traffic. Several members argued that clustering attractions and creating a denser downtown experience is important; Speaker 2 and others cited examples of towns — including Yellow Springs and Newaygo — that use public art, festivals and a tight downtown footprint to attract visitors.
Public-art strategies were discussed as part of a broader downtown revitalization approach. Speakers noted existing public sculptures and suggested concentrated murals, seasonal programming, and better coordination with the convention and visitors bureau and regional economic-development groups. Board members also discussed leveraging Ferris State University students and riverfront access as potential draw cards.
No formal action was taken; the discussion was recorded as unscheduled business and board members encouraged continued coordination with economic-development partners and the DBA (downtown business association).
What happens next: Board members asked staff to keep downtown vitality on future agendas and to coordinate with tourism and economic-development partners to identify priority actions and potential grant funding for events and public-art projects.
