DDA-Chamber meeting produces new ideas for downtown activities

submitted by Pat Vailliencourt, Downtown Development Authority

About 25 people, including business and property owners, attended a meeting last Wednesday at the Village Council chambers to discuss how to coordinate community activities in the downtown and beyond. Three people from Stockbridge also attended the meeting to observe the brainstorming session, as that community is also struggling with similar issues to Manchester (i.e. loss of grocery store, struggling to support downtown, etc.).

Village President Pat Vailliencourt gave an update on the Washtenaw 2030 project, developed by the Destination Ann Arbor group, and its plans for promoting tourism county wide. Their statistics show 40 percent of visitors to Washtenaw County come from states south of Michigan, which means they are likely passing through close to Manchester; we would like to have them stop here.

The Washtenaw 2030 study also noted that Washtenaw County attracts almost 4 million day and overnight visitors, which contribute more than $1 billion in overall economic impact in the county annually.

Denise Collins of Frank’s Place updated the group on the “Restore Pure Michigan” initiative, spearheaded by the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association, and how Frank’s was featured in their online advertising. $4.2 Billion in Michigan business sales is directly tied to the recently-vetoed Pure Michigan campaign. Two hundred thousand Michigan jobs directly rely on this campaign, and it promotes pride and unity across parties and peninsulas.

Third Thursday and Chamber representatives listed the 2020 activities they are planning, the budget, and where funding may come from. We also listed “other activities” that bring people into Manchester, and came up with new ideas. These posters are still up in the Conference Room.

The overwhelming conclusion was that it is amazing what volunteers do to promote Manchester and support our businesses!  Currently, the Third Thursday group only has five people organizing all of the activities. There are many great ideas, but the group lacks people to help organize, and limited funding restricts some of the options. Volunteers are greatly needed to help these activities continue.

Two very popular proposed new activities mentioned include putting a Disc Golf course in Carr Park and expanding our Halloween activities to include a lighted pumpkin festival. Again, people and money will determine if these options will be feasible. Previously funding has come from grants, local contributions, our businesses, vendor fees, and the DDA (funded by the Village). A local property owner asked, “since businesses pay township taxes, why doesn’t Manchester Township contribute anything?” Only one township board member was present, and there was no response to the question.

It was decided the joint group should meet again, this time, focusing on how to attract affordable housing developers.

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.