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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-21-2022 Michigan Avenue Improvement AuthorityAndy Mayor Michigan Avenue Corridor Improvement Authority Board of Directors Informational Meeting #2 Friday, October 21, 2022 - 8:30 AM Armory Building 330 Marshall Street 3rd Floor Board Room Lansing, MI48912 Members Present: Yvette Collins, Laurie Baumer, Scott Gillespie, Joan Nelson, Elaine Barr, John Shaski (on behalf of Joe Ruth - nonvoting) Mayoral Designee: Dr. Andrea McSwain Members Absent: Joe Ruth (excused), Jon Lum (excused) Facilitator Present: Aurelius Christian (LEDC) Public Present: Charlie Krupka, Linda Stevens (Lansing Art Glass), Kai Christensen (CATA), Darren Carter (City Assessor), John Oliver Recorded by: Yvette Collins Call to Order/Roll call Acting Chair Nelson welcomed everyone and called the MACIA Board of Directors meeting to order at 8:52 a.m. Information on MACIA Goals & Projects Fapade improvement project is moving along. The communication vehicle for businesses is being created. Baumer had a meeting with Jim Snell of Tri-County Regional Planning Commission. She offered that it would be fantastic if CATA could target Michigan Avenue with their bus stops/shelters to reflect some updates. Gillespie shared that he had talked with CATA. Christensen shared that there is room to add more technology, although not a lot of room for shelters. There is a plan to upgrade shelter sites and that work is in the planning stage. Christensen will let MACIA know where bus shelter updates are planned. There was discussion that Michigan's Avenue is reflected in the theme of the Tri County Regional Plan. 11 Baumer is trying to get a handle on street banners and what's needed/what's broken as something the Community Foundation might look at funding. There was discussion of construction along the Avenue as projected for the summer of 2023 into 2024. Dr. McSwain shared that when construction starts along the avenue it will be helpful to have signs to indicate businesses are open. Baumer cautioned that it is anticipated that it will be utility work in 2023, that nothing is getting ripped up. Once a contractor is selected should be a good time to have a conversation with the city to make sure communication is made to the public, Nelson suggested the Meridian Area Business Association as a good resource of information to get a "lessons learned" considering their lengthy construction process. Krupka committed to following up with Amber Clark. Gillespie suggested MACIA could pick one month to highlight a specific business. Get a short write up on the business and share it. Gillespie also talked about branding/marketing and inquired if maybe MACIA should engage a marketing firm on a retainer. Krupka said he would check with someone at The Hive. Moonsail North was also offered up as a possible marketing firm. Discussion centered around getting the e-bulletin done first. Get something concrete. It was shared that Tri County will be releasing their study on the corridor after the first of the year. Sidewalks will be included as part of the Tri County study. Discussion was had around cleaning up the Spadafore space. Gillespie believes the owners may be open to that. Gillespie offered that he may be able to find out who bought the hot tub place and get back to Krupka with that information. Discussion about the directory was shared and it was offered that a website link could be used for businesses to share how they are linked. McSwain shared an example of her use of the Lansing Art Glass in her business. Discussion centered around creating the first newsletter, where current information is shared with businesses. Creating an option for businesses to provide content they consider appropriate to share to use for blurbs. Nelson offered to share Denise's (from ANC) information as she has a good resource for email lists and can share content ANC uses. Public Comment Linda from Art Glass talked about the possibility of doing tours along the avenue via bus transportation. Adjournment Acting hair Nelson called the Michigan Avenue Board of Dire tors meeting to adjourn at 9:47 a.m. a� l/ Jonathan Lum, Chair Michiga Avenue Corridor Improvement Authority 2