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Owosso Main Street unveils FY26‑27 work plans and summer events; Chocolate Walk proceeds fund plaza landscaping ideas
Summary
The board approved FY26‑27 committee projects and work plans that include downtown signage, a Main Street Plaza landscaping project, and programming funded by interest, fundraising and EV station revenue; updates included Chocolate Walk revenue, summer concerts, volunteer recruitment, planters and a possible public sculpture for the plaza.
The Owosso Main Street & Downtown Development Authority approved Fiscal Year 2026‑27 projects and committee work plans on May 6, endorsing initiatives the board said will be funded by interest, fundraising and electric‑vehicle charging station revenue rather than Tax Increment Financing or millage funds.
Lizzie Fredrick outlined projects including Downtown Signage (which will include a historical marker donated by the Steam Railroading Institute and funded by 2025 Chocolate Walk proceeds) and a Main Street Plaza Landscaping Project to reconstruct a planter. Commissioner Jill Davis reported the Chocolate Walk generated $6,380 in revenue and announced a July storefront scavenger‑hunt pilot called 'Hooked on Downtown: Search for the Smallmouth,' as well as the Summer Concert Series in collaboration with The Cook Family Foundation, Lebowsky Center for Performing Arts and the City of Owosso Parks and Recreation Commission. Davis reminded the board of Summer Sidewalk Sales scheduled July 16–18.
Organization committee updates included board member spotlights in newsletters and social media, plans for a board retreat, and a volunteer sign‑up at the Owosso Farmers Market on May 16 to recruit helpers for the Downtown Spring Cleanup and Planter Adoption Program. Economic Vitality updates noted Smokin' Jack’s BBQ as April Business of the Month and Fortune House as May Business of the Month; Howard said the OMS applied for a 2026 Match on Main grant on Fortune House's behalf to convert underused space into a Boba & Ramen Lounge. Design updates covered return of six reservoir planters, availability of 75 bags of black mulch for confirmed planter adopters during the May 29–30 cleanup, an Adopt‑A‑Planter webpage (DowntownOwosso.org/flowers), discussion of Wayfinding updates, and consideration of a nature‑inspired sculpture for the plaza with Chocolate Walk proceeds; two additional downtown waste receptacles and two benches (supported by a Curwood Festival grant) were also approved.
Board members recorded concern about rising commercial rents and deferred building maintenance in downtown, which Chair Daylen Howard said are placing existing businesses at risk. The board set its next meeting for June 3, 2026.
