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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Lansing, Inc. Minutes 08.13.26DOWNTOWN LANSING AUGUST 2026 BOARD MEETING 215 S. WASHINGTON SQUARE STE. 100 DLI Board Meeting August 13, 2026 | 11:30am 215 S. Washington Square Ste. 100, Lansing, MI 48933 Members Present: J. Estill, J. Pugh, K. Klein, A. Rusek, J. Flores, O. Moore Members Absent : J. Hinze, J. Durham Board Advisors Present : James Lennon Board Advisors Not Present : Peter Spadafore Staff Present: C. Edgerly, K. Litwin, J. Markham Guests Present:, Jason Kildea—Gillespie Group Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 11:46 a.m. by J. Estill 2. CITIZEN COMMENTS: None. 3. CORRESPONDENCE: Cathleen Edgerly shared correspondence related to downtown safety, including concerns from Abbey Weston, owner of Firefly Hot Yoga Barre Studio, regarding illegal activity and the resulting loss of staff. 4. GUEST PRESENTATION: GILLESPIE GROUP Jason Kildea of Gillespie Group provided a guest presentation regarding several projects in the PSD including Brick Row, properties on S. Grand near new City Hall, and discussed new businesses moving in on Shiawassee, including the former Sparrow Bloom location. CONSENT AGENDA: Cathleen Edgerly reported that the second portion of the assessment information was received between the Executive Committee meeting and the Board meeting. Final reconciliation with the City and the accounting firm is expected at the end of the month. Motion by A. Rusek, seconded by J. Pugh, to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion carried unanimously. 5. OLD TOWN UPDATES James Lenon provided an update on activities in Old Town. He reported that the district is midway through a busy festival season and that the JazzFest experienced strong attendance. ArtFeast was scheduled for the Saturday following this meeting, with organizers hoping to build on momentum from JazzFest and recent Fish Ladder events. Approximately 6,000 people attended ArtFeast the previous year. Several business updates were also shared. ‘That Candy Store’ recently opened with an old- fashioned candy store concept and has been well received. Pablo’s restaurant rebranded as Catalina’s under the same ownership and staff, with the new name honoring the owners’ grandmother. Good Truckin’ Diner received a Match on Main grant and plans to convert the adjoining space into a full coffee shop. Discussions are also underway regarding another potential coffee shop at the corner of Turner Street and César E. Chávez Avenue. Good Truckin’ Diner received final liquor license approvals and planned to begin alcohol service during ArtFeast. The Unicorn is expected to open within approximately two weeks and participate in the social district. DOWNTOWN LANSING AUGUST 2026 BOARD MEETING 215 S. WASHINGTON SQUARE STE. 100 OTCA received a Certified Local Government grant to update the district’s design guidelines, which were last completed in the 1990s. The PSD Advisory Committee will meet to discuss use of funds in 2027. Old Town’s rebrand is expected to be unveiled at the September 30 celebration marking the organization’s 30th anniversary. Tickets will be on sale the week of 8/17. 6. DIRECTOR’S REPORT: C. Edgerly reported on the following: Cathleen Edgerly thanked Board members who completed the Main Street America self-assessment forms and reviewed the accreditation process. The Board also discussed historic preservation advocacy and downtown murals. The final Downtown After 5 event of the season is scheduled for August 20 from 5-7pm. Board members were asked to attend and support downtown merchants. Updates were provided regarding changes to the Tenant Improvement Grant Program. Two applications have been received, and staff hopes to have the available funds committed by the end of the calendar year. Two submissions were also received in response to the recent RFQ for the Signature Streetscape Planter Initiative. Those respondents will be contacted regarding the next RFP phase in coordination with the City. The artwork/mural at the Grand Avenue parking ramp has been removed, and discussions are underway regarding next steps. Staff is also obtaining estimates regarding whether the mural panels on Michigan Avenue (near the Nuthouse) can be reattached. 7. PRESIDENT’S REPORT: No report outside of what will be covered further in the agenda. 8. ACTION ITEMS New Board Member: The new Board member, Ozay Moore, was thanked for their interest, ongoing service to the community, and welcomed to the Board. Members expressed appreciation for adding the perspective of someone who has activated a downtown storefront. Downtown Safety Meeting Recap: The Board reviewed the recap of the initial downtown safety meeting facilitated with the City. Key concerns included increasing violence and illegal activity and the impacts on downtown businesses, employees, residents, and other stakeholders. Members noted that the meeting brought together diverse perspectives and allowed stakeholders to hear directly from one another. The Board discussed the importance of continued meetings with the City and consideration of ordinances and practices used in other Michigan communities and elsewhere. The use of 311 for non- police issues was also discussed. J. Pugh expressed disappointment that much of the initial meeting became an opportunity to raise both recent and longstanding concerns, but noted that the commitment to future conversations was a positive outcome. Board members emphasized that DLI’s role should include holding the City accountable for convening future meetings and implementing concrete solutions. Questions were raised regarding the City’s action plan, expectations for DLI’s role in this process, and whether patrol information could be obtained from City Hall. Additional discussion addressed police staffing, enforcement, effective ordinance options, conversations with City Council members, and potential use of the State Capital City Allocation for health and safety initiatives. DOWNTOWN LANSING AUGUST 2026 BOARD MEETING 215 S. WASHINGTON SQUARE STE. 100 Staff responsibilities discussed included continuing to research ambassador program options, coordination of additional meetings, and collection of data from 311 and other reporting tools to establish baseline information. Big Red Ball: Board members were asked to assist with sponsorship outreach. A list of potential sponsors was included in the meeting packet, and members were asked to notify staff if they could contact any of the identified prospects. The print deadline is September 4. Cathleen Edgerly also reviewed volunteer needs for event setup and teardown, noting that 97 volunteer roles need to be filled. Michigan Downtown Allocation. C. Edgerly and J. Estill reviewed updates made to the Michigan’s Downtown allocation packet. Revisions were made based on current downtown strategic priorities as shared by stakeholders at our State of Downtown workshop this past Spring, and built off our Strategic Action plan. Also was created in consideration of the Downtown Allocation comprehensive plan made by the Governor in Albany, New York. We’ve been collecting ongoing feedback from stakeholders, shared with the Mayor, our council liaison, and will also work with the Chamber to get this in front of the State. This will be a priority led by DLI and the Chamber, hopefully City lobbyists and staff after the new year and newly elected leaders are sworn in. CSO Marketing Proposal. The Board resumed consideration of the CSO marketing proposal, which had been tabled at the previous meeting. J. Pugh referenced the prior discussion regarding Redhead’s marketing proposal and the CSO plan and asked which components should be completed first. The Board discussed whether portions of the proposed cost could be assigned to remaining LEO grant funds. An extension of those funds has been approved, with potential uses including improvements to the 100 block of South Washington Square, public art, and repair of flower boxes. The possibility of applying the $39,950 marketing expense to that funding source was discussed, although no definitive determination had been made. The Board also considered whether to proceed with the expense if general funds were ultimately required. Motion by J. Pugh, seconded by A. Rusek, to approve the first three items in the proposal included in the packet, for a total of $39,950. Motion carried unanimously. CLOSED SESSION: Motion by K. Klein, seconded by J. Pugh, to enter into closed session at 1:00 p.m. to discuss the Executive Director’s annual review. A roll-call vote was taken. Klein—Yes, Moore—Yes, Flores—Yes, Rusek—Yes, Pugh—Yes, Estill—Yes. Motion carried. Motion by A. Rusek, seconded by J. Pugh to end closed session at 1:35pm. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by A. Rusek, seconded by J. Pugh to re-open regular session at 1:36pm. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by A. Rusek, seconded by J. Pugh to approve an 8% salary increase for Executive Director Cathleen Edgerly. Motion carried unanimously. ADJOURNMENT: Motion by A. Rusek, seconded by J. Pugh to adjourn the meeting at 1:45pm. Motion carried unanimously.