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Manchester DDA approves minutes, accepts MMSP resignations and debates downtown retail vs. service businesses
Summary
At its Jan. 28 meeting the Manchester Downtown Development Authority approved minutes and the agenda, heard a financial update showing a $94,496.64 fund balance, accepted the resignations of the Michigan Main Street committee, and discussed whether service businesses are displacing retail storefronts downtown.
The Manchester Downtown Development Authority approved the Nov. 19, 2025 meeting minutes and the Jan. 28 agenda and heard several updates on events, grants and downtown business activity.
Pat Vailliencourt, who led the meeting, introduced Dawn Donnelly as the board's newly appointed member and introduced Holly McDermott as the new Senior Center director. City Manager Michael Sessions reported the DDA fund balance at $94,496.64, including $20,000 designated for parking improvements, and estimated annual DDA tax revenue at about $44,745. "I appreciate the employees who completed the annual audit," Sessions said.
The board moved through routine business: Merrill Guerra moved to approve the Nov. 19, 2025 minutes and Sue LaRocque seconded; the motion carried. LaRocque moved to accept the meeting agenda and Guerra seconded; that motion also carried. The minutes note the motions carried but do not record individual roll-call vote tallies.
On events, Guerra reported generally positive feedback from the December "Christmas in the Village" recap and said the parade remains difficult to organize without reliable volunteers or paid assistance. Guerra said the Mill has recruited a new Santa and that a planned "Palentine" event for Feb. 6 was canceled due to insufficient planning time. Guerra proposed creating a standing workshop committee to plan annual downtown events in advance.
Jaimie Schmidt said alleyway improvements are planned and that repairs and repainting of the west wall will be financed through the 2026 CTAP grant. Guerra read a letter from the five remaining members of the Michigan Main Street Program committee; the DDA accepted the resignations of all current MMSP committee members and agreed to add consideration of the committee's proposals to the February agenda.
A substantive discussion centered on the character of new downtown tenants after Guerra observed that "service" businesses'such as LaRock Dental, Edward Jones and Well and Wise Therapy'are taking downtown locations that may limit available brick-and-mortar space for retail businesses that bring foot traffic. Guerra asked whether new businesses must file "change of use" forms and whether current service businesses comply with existing ordinances. "Do we have the space to put service businesses?" Sessions asked, and he said the best next step was to invite the city planner to the February meeting to clarify ordinance requirements and business-model questions.
Sessions also reported other community developments: near-completion of houses in the Woodland neighborhood; lots purchased at Emerald Glen that could bring roughly 30 new homes; planned parking improvements at Kirk Kark Park; a water line to a new meat-processing business on M-52; and state approval for a new well at Chibroil Park, with work beginning in April.
The board set meeting logistics for 2026, agreeing to rotate locations to encourage participation and to hold meetings with guest speakers in the City Council Chambers. The meeting adjourned at 10:30 a.m.; the next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 18 in the City Council Room.
