The latest and greatest news and updates from the February DDA Board Meeting:
February 2019 Director Report
Downtown Businesses
- Demolition phase is complete at 32 E. 14 Mile and ready for Weiss Distilling construction to begin in the Spring.
- Work moves forward on the expansion of Noble Fish and for the new White Wolfe Patisserie. Getting ready for interior walls with studs in place while they continue working to sort out utility service between the joined tenant spaces.
- The Yarn Stop, 25 S. Main, has doubled in size expanding into 29 S. Main with a space known as the Yarn Stop University dedicated to classes, workshop trainings and special events.
- r. collective is expanding with the addition of a second location in Birmingham
- The Salt & Sugar Company, 139 W. 14 Mile, will be the home to the Clawson Farmers Market ‘in town’ market on Wednesdays from 3-7pm from June 5 to September 25. The market in the park will operate one Sunday a month.
- Three Cats Café, 116 W. 14 Mile, will soon become Three Cats and a Cook with a partnership with well-known restauranteur Matt Prentice. A full kitchen build out is planned in the back of store storage area. The existing unique look with seating and décor featuring furniture and tables from Leon & Lulu will remain the same.
Project Updates
- The fundraising consultant, provided to us as a benefit of Main Street, has submitted a draft Fundraising Plan. One component will be a membership program (Downtown Neighbors) and the other is fundraising events that invite school and community participation.
- We have completed the New Business Guide, explaining all of the steps for opening a business – from zoning, licensing, permits & applications – taking them right to Certificate of Occupancy. This packet especially fills a need helping those businesses not required to go through Site Plan Review.
- Also complete, except for some minor formatting, is a new downtown brochure explaining all the ins an outs of a Downtown Development Authority and Main Street. It’s condensed and informative.
Main Street
- On February 14 the Evaluation Team from the National Main Street Center came to evaluate our program. They spent the day reviewing workplans, partnerships, and goals as well as interviewing focus groups of business owners, city staff, volunteers and board members to determine if we met the criteria for continued accreditation. The good news – WE PASSED! We are proud to be a nationally accredited Main Street Community and have their support and assistance.
- The Main Street Oakland County annual Main Event award ceremony is scheduled for 6pm on Thursday, May 9 at the Flagstar Strand Theater in Pontiac. We are currently preparing submissions for award considerations.