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Main Street DDA recommends Town Square development, outlines micro‑retail and programming plans
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Summary
The Downtown Adrian Main Street DDA recommended the Town Square development to the city commission after reviewing design concepts emphasizing micro retail, a band shell with a community screen, and low‑maintenance materials; the board noted utilities work and funding issues to resolve before construction.
The Downtown Adrian Main Street Downtown Development Authority recommended June 11 that the city commission approve development and construction of the proposed Town Square, citing design features intended to draw residents and visitors and to support local entrepreneurs.
Jay, Main Street director, presented concept designs that include a row of white‑box micro retail shops with roll‑up doors, a pavilion with rental space and two restrooms, a band shell with a roughly 10‑foot diagonal screen and programming space, accent pavement lighting designed to limit light pollution, and durable exterior materials such as wood with protective block and gabion boxes of reclaimed brick. "This is really to get your sign off on the design in your board packet," Jay said, describing the layouts and their use for festivals, movie nights and live music.
The board noted trade‑offs and site constraints: Jay said the DDA has set aside funds for the Jean Christopher property but will not execute until the city confirms the fate of nearby properties damaged in recent fires. The group also discussed locating a transformer and related utility work; Jay said Consumers Energy will put power underground, and the chair observed that undergrounding would result in "hundreds of thousands of dollars in savings." The DDA flagged the transformer location as limiting playground or children’s equipment immediately adjacent to the band shell but asked staff to explore alternative placements.
Board members pressed on programming and operations: designers forecast multiple weekly activations will be necessary to sustain foot traffic; Jay said the band shell and the micro shop mix are intended to support an "entrepreneurial ecosystem" tied to upcoming stakeholder meetings with Michigan Main Street and National Main Street representatives. The board voted to forward the recommendation to the city commission for approval.
The next procedural step is the city commission review and formal approvals required for construction funding and any property acquisitions. The DDA did not adopt a construction contract at the meeting; members asked staff to coordinate with the city on utility work, programming plans, and fundraising before moving forward.
