Walker Downtown Development Authority

City of Walker Walker Downtown Development Authority Agenda Fire Station #2 - Upper Level 4243 Remembrance Road NW Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at 7:30 AM 1. Call Meeting to Order - Record Attendance 2. Approval of Minutes a) March 19, 2024 3. New Business Introduction a) Cody & Co. 4. Business Relations Manager Updates a) Placer.AI Update b) Survey Update - surveymonkey.com/r/StandaleBranding 5. Development Plan Update - Project Discussion 6. Planning Updates 7. Other Business/Updates 8. Next Meeting Date and Time - May 21, 2024 at 8:00 AM at Terra Square in Hudsonville, MI 9. Adjournment If you have any questions or are unable to attend a meeting, please contact Jessica Marion at 616.791.6878 Page 1 of 4  City of Walker Walker Downtown Development Authority Tuesday, March 19, 2024 7:30 AM - Fire Station #2 - Upper Level 4243 Remembrance Road NW 1. Call Meeting to Order - Record Attendance The meeting was called to order by Chair D. Brinza at 7:30 am. Members present: D. Brinza, L. McNees, D. Schmalzel, G. Carey, S. Zokoe, C. Ludwick, R. Smith and D. Prato. Members absent: M. Grooters, J. DeGroot, and T. Hiller. Also present: City Engineer Scott Conners, Communications Manager/DDA Business Relations Manager Nicole DiDonato, DPW Director Gary Postema, Assistant City Manager Frank Wash and Planning Director Paula Priebe. 2. Approval of Minutes Following review by members, the DDA meeting minutes from February 20, 2024, were approved on a motion by R. Smith, with support by L. McNees. Motion carried. 3. Business Relations Manager Updates  She met with Shine who came out to assess the DDA district for seasonal lighting decorations of the streetlight poles. They estimated a cost of $276.00 per pole for the first year, and the company would provide installation, storage and maintenance of the lights and greenery for the poles. It was discussed that the cost would come from the DDA general fund. N. DiDonato stated she would look at other companies as well.  A day long interview process with Kim Rivera of New Moon Visions regarding the Standale Branding was held. K. Rivera stated a community survey would ideally be held around an event, but since there are no events happening until June, N. DiDonato stated she would like to submit the survey sooner in order to go live in April to stake holders.  She stated that Placer.AI is waiting on the DDA for approval of the contract. There was discussion of the benefit for the software for both the Standale DDA and the City. Much of the data can be used for market analysis and shows travel patterns in the area. There was discussion regarding splitting the cost of the program between the DDA and the City. Motion was made by G. Carey, with support from S. Zokoe to approve the contract with Placer.AI. Motion carried. 4. Development Plan Update D. Schmalzel stated that there is a section of the Development Plan that lists all of the current and future projects the DDA plans to improve. His handout provided a list of all of the current projects that are not completed providing a brief description, the estimated cost and city recommendation/note of whether to keep, edit or remove from the plan. D. Schmalzel reminded members that they need to target the projects and put the cost to it before they can move forward and reviewed the steps needed to complete the revision to the Development Plan and Tax Increment Financing Plan. After brief review and discussion it was decided that the members will review the handout to discuss at the next meeting where a brainstorming session will be held. D. Brinza stated a group of members and city staff met to discuss plans for the North Page 2 of 4  Fire Station Property. It was decided that the next step would be to look for a firm to help develop and implement the DDA's vision of connecting the community park with Fire Station #2 that will enhance the area and move forward with designing the vision of connectability to Standale. There was discussion regarding possible grants, sponsorships and funding ideas. G. Carey stated he spoke with Hudsonville City Mayor and suggested facilitating a group tour to look at their Terra Square, which was stated to be the most comparable venue to Walker's DDA. A request by members to have city staff help to facilitate a visit to Hudsonville. 5. Planning Updates Planning Director Paula Priebe and Assistant City Manager Frank Wash provided updates on the following items:  Construction on a number of projects o Valvoline Oil at 153 Wilson Ave NW in front of Blaine's o Adobe anticipated opening is this mid to late summer. o Waterford Village  Reviewed Vista 45 design workshop explaining McKenna's 1st draft design compared to the 2nd draft design. She stated the residential housing increased on the second draft. 6. Other Business/Updates  S. Conners provided an update on the Streetlighting Project schedule. The anticipated start date for the project will be the first of June with an expected completion date in early October. He also reported that the Kinney Avenue Project will start next week Monday.  G. Postema recommended scheduling MISS DIG system to mark public utility lines prior to the Streetlighting project. 7. Next Meeting Date and Time - April 16, 2024 at 7:30 AM 8. Adjournment If you have any questions or are unable to attend a meeting, please contact Jessica Marion at 616.791.6878 Page 3 of 4  HELP STANDALE DISCOVER ITS BRAND! The Standale Downtown Development Authority has hired New Moon Visions Place Branding and Marketing to assist in developing a branding strategy for the downtown shopping district. This will include creating a logo, tagline, and related creative elements, as well as a marketing plan. The ultimate goal of the branding strategy is to increase community pride, attract more visitors to Standale, and promote economic and community development. By creating broader awareness of Standale's assets, the strategy aims to encourage people to connect, shop, dine, and play in the downtown areatandale’s assets. surveymonkey.com/r/StandaleBranding Page 4 of 4