The Renaissance of Downtown

Muskegon Heights

HyettPalma

Blueprints for Michigan's Downtowns

Please keep a few things in mind as you work toward the renaissance of Downtown Muskegon Heights.

Making Downtown Renaissance a Reality

Blueprints for Michigan's Downtowns

•You can’t have a first class town without a first class Downtown.

•Downtown revitalization IS economic development.

•More support is being given to Downtown projects by state and local governments than ever before.

Making Downtown Renaissance a Reality

Blueprints for Michigan's Downtowns

What is propelling the renaissance of Michigan’s and America’s Downtowns?

Making Downtown Renaissance a Reality

Blueprints for Michigan's Downtowns

Making Downtown Renaissance a Reality

A large part of the excitement can be traced to 1992, when National League of Cities members called for the “Rebirth of America’s Downtowns.”

Blueprints for Michigan's Downtowns

Making Downtown Renaissance a Reality

As a collaborative effort, the National League of Cities and HyettPalma unveiled a new national program titled

America Downtown® -- New Thinking. New Life.

Blueprints for Michigan's Downtowns

Making Downtown Renaissance a Reality

The Indiana Association of Cities and Towns created the Indiana Downtown® program in the Summer on 2001 . . .

The first state league program of its type in the nation, replicating the America Downtown® approach.

Blueprints for Michigan's Downtowns

Cool Cities Blueprints for Michigan's DowntownsCreated Summer 2003

Making Downtown Renaissance a Reality

The Most Recognized Icon in the World, Downtown Fremont, MI

Blueprints for Michigan's Downtowns

Blueprints for Pennsylvania’s DowntownsCreated Summer 2004

Making Downtown Renaissance a Reality

Sacred Heart Church, St.Marys, PA

Blueprints for Michigan's Downtowns

• Implementation-oriented

•Pragmatic

•Success-oriented

• Inclusive

•A strategy – Not a plan

Making Downtown Renaissance a Reality

America Downtown® and Michigan Blueprints Convictions

Blueprints for Michigan's Downtowns

Muskegon HeightsDowntownBlueprint2007

Making Downtown Renaissance a Reality

Blueprints for Michigan's Downtowns

•Vision

•Market Analysis

•Course of Action

•PartnershipMaking Downtown Renaissance a Reality

America Downtown® and Michigan Blueprints Elements

Blueprints for Michigan's Downtowns

Making Downtown Renaissance a Reality

Downtown Muskegon Heights Today

Blueprints for Pennsylvania’s Downtowns

Blueprints for Michigan's Downtowns

•Overview

•Desires

•Concerns

• Image

•Approach

Making Downtown Renaissance a Reality

Catalyst Projects

Blueprints for Michigan's Downtowns

• Public Safety• Strand Theater

Building• Rowan Park• Paisley Park• Festival in the

Park• Music in the Park• Holiday Family

Traditions• Farmers Market• Art Benches• African-American

Museum

Making Downtown Renaissance a Reality

Infrastructure Improvements

Blueprints for Michigan's Downtowns

• Maintenance• Beautification• Streets• Access

Making Downtown Renaissance a Reality

Building Improvements

Blueprints for Michigan's Downtowns

• Façade Grants• Design Guidelines• Design Assistance• DDA Properties• Historic Designation

Making Downtown Renaissance a Reality

Business Development

Blueprints for Michigan's Downtowns

• Windows• Security Bars• Chamber of Commerce

Assistance• One-On-Ones• Signs• Outdoor Dining• Top List/Full List• Recruitment• Clustering• Position

Making Downtown Renaissance a Reality

Marketing

Blueprints for Michigan's Downtowns

• Media Relations• Signature Event• Business Tie-Ins• Web Presence• Future

Making Downtown Renaissance a Reality

Management

Blueprints for Michigan's Downtowns

• Lead Role• Staff• Funding• Benchmarks• Adopt

Making Downtown Renaissance a Reality

Tangible Results from Michigan Blueprints:

Blueprints for Pennsylvania’s Downtowns

• More Private and Public Investment

• More Customers

• More Businesses

• More Jobs

• More Tax Revenues

• Sustainable Downtowns

Blueprints for Michigan's Downtowns

Making Downtown Renaissance a Reality

Intangible Results from Michigan Blueprints:

Blueprints for Pennsylvania’s Downtowns

• More Energy, Excitement & Enthusiasm

• Increased Community Pride

• Greater Government Focus

• Participation, Cooperation & Communication

• Immediate Credibility & Support

Blueprints for Michigan's Downtowns

HyettPalma

The Renaissance of Downtown Muskegon Heights . . .

The Time is Now!Blueprints for Michigan's Downtowns