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Safford downtown group highlights small budget, big projects and Highway 70 signage plan
Summary
Danny Smith, representing the Safford Downtown Association, told the council the volunteer group operates on about $9,000 a year but has supported projects up to $1.9 million and urged council support for new Highway 70 signs to direct roughly 24,000 vehicles daily to downtown businesses.
Danny Smith, a resident of Safford and representative of the Safford Downtown Association, told the City Council during public comment that his volunteer organization operates on a modest budget but plays an outsized role in downtown revitalization.
Smith said the association has about a $9,000 annual operating budget but leverages partnerships to deliver projects ranging from $5,000 and $10,000 improvements to efforts totaling as much as $1.9 million. He described a proposed set of directional signs on Highway 70 designed to show travelers the downtown shopping and dining area just a block or two south of the highway, and urged council to support the effort.
"We have about a $9,000 a year budget, but we leverage our relationships with our partners and people that we receive funding from to benefit downtown Safford," Smith said. He invited council and staff to an appreciation luncheon and noted the association will recognize businesses that have been open more than 70 years.
Why it matters: Smith's remarks framed downtown promotion as a low-cost, high-impact initiative driven by volunteers and small-business owners. Council members will consider the signage and other support requests as staff and the association develop project details and permit requirements.
What’s next: Smith said the association is working with city staff on the sign project and will continue coordination; council did not take formal action during this meeting.
