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DDA director outlines banners, snow‑removal bid, market manager vacancy and Match on Main timeline
Summary
Director Jay briefed the board on planned technical assistance, signage mock-ups, a proposed paid snow‑removal path, youth art and 'hometown heroes' banner campaigns, a farmers market manager vacancy, a mural timeline, and early details on the Match on Main grant (applications March 1–April 20).
Jay, the DDA director, presented several operational items and programs the board will consider in coming weeks.
He said the DDA is coordinating with Michigan Main Street on available technical services and will discuss direction with the board following a meeting with Michigan Main Street staff. Jay showed a mock-up for downtown signs (brought to the board by resident Jacob Cooper) and said the design committee will review the concept before any procurement or installation.
On snow removal, Jay said the city parks department lacks capacity to clear a downtown pedestrian path and staff obtained an outside estimate to clear a 1.6‑inch pass through downtown sidewalks for safety; the service would trigger after about 1.5 inches of snow, focusing on a primary path while businesses would remain responsible for adjacent clearing and salting. Jay described this as a candidate for the economic vitality committee to develop a bid for future seasons.
Jay also outlined banner programs: an annual youth art banner program with Adrian Public Schools (artwork due by Feb. 13 and installation starting March 2, 24 poles initially available) and 'hometown heroes' banners that would be displayed around Memorial Day and Veterans Day (roughly two weeks before and after each holiday; about eight weeks of display across the two holidays), with a $100 cost per banner and possible expansion if additional banner arms are purchased.
Operational notices included a farmers market manager vacancy—Ella will leave to pursue nursing and the DDA will post the manager role this week—and a mural project with a May 1 deadline for completion that staff expects to post publicly this week for artist applications. Jay said the DDA received a 'save the date' for Match on Main from MEDC: applications open March 1 and close April 20; Jay described prior award structures (historically $25,000 with a 10% match and reimbursement model) but said final program details and requirements were not yet published.
City administrator Chad Baugh said the city will provide direction to ensure ordinance compliance (for example, who communicates approved storefront templates to building owners) and that staff are working to clarify roles and responsibilities related to a past enhancement grant.
The board referred sign designs and banner policies to the design committee and tasked staff to develop cost estimates and procurement/bid language as needed.
