By SUE SUCHYTA
Sunday Times Newspapers
LINCOLN PARK – Ken Marten, Downtown Development Authority and Economic Development Corporation Executive Director, updated the city council Oct. 12 with revitalization and economic development project updates in the downtown corridor.
He was hired by the city May 11, with June 8 as his official start date.
Marten said he has been meeting with Michigan Economic Development Corporation representatives, and as a result of the meetings Lincoln Park has been accepted into the Main Street program, which is a national program, conducted state by state, that offers assistance, sometimes in the form of grants, in organizing and helping folks beautify and put on events in their downtown areas.
“Main Street was created specifically for downtowns that perhaps have seen better days and are looking to renovate or rejuvenate the life that used to happen in those downtowns, in those strips,” he said. “So, it’s really great that we are part of this.”
The Main Street program takes a four-point approach.
The first point, design, aims to enhance the physical and visual appeal of a district through streetscape improvements, public art, façade grants and historic preservation.
The second point, economic vitality or restructuring, seeks to strengthen and expand existing businesses, recruit new ones, and use financial tools and incentives to encourage investment.
The third point, promotion, markets the downtown as a vibrant destination using community events, festivals and campaigns to encourage residents to shop locally.
The fourth point, organization, builds a collaborative network of volunteers, property owners, business owners, municipal boards and dedicated staff to leverage the tools to make the overall vision a reality.
Marten said he is also working with the MEDC to complete the RRC, Redevelopment Ready Communities, a no-cost certification program that helps local communities build transparent, predictable and efficient development practices.
“Apparently, this is about halfway done,” he said. “When I started, it was on my desk.”
Marten said the city will complete the process, which when done will certify the city, and in turn will make it eligible for some grant money.
He said the city does need to complete some zoning amendments as part of the process.
RRC helps communities align local zoning with market realities and to enable development.
Marten said he has joined the board of directors of the Chamber of Commerce, which, along with the DDA and the EDC will sponsor a business expo May 6 at the Kennedy Memorial Building.
He said he has met with the Downriver Community Conference as well, which can help the city learn what grants are available for Brownfield reclamation.
“They also offer small business assistance and workforce development that may be relevant for new businesses as they work to launch in our community,” Marten said.
He said he is trying to set up a meeting with the Michigan Department of Transportation to secure a lawn mowing reimbursement agreement for Fort Street, which is an MDOT road.
“If the community mows or maintains the median, you are eligible for reimbursement,” Marten said. “I am going to get it to happen for next year’s mowing season.”
He said they have had some dead trees removed from along Fort Street, since dead trees “are accidents waiting to happen.”
Marten said he’s also working with a person who can help schedule the trimming of trees along Fort Street.
“We need to pay attention to trimming those trees on a regular basis,” he said. “It just has to happen, and one of the biggest complaints I get, and even before I started, there were a bunch of voice mails and a list on my desk of folks calling and business owners, managers calling and telling me that branches need to be trimmed.”
Marten said he is trying to establish a program with MDOT, and if it is too expensive to do it all in one year, maybe the district can be divided into sections and it can be done over time.
He said he had DTE replace some street lights along Fort Street that had fallen victim to vehicle crashes.
Marten said they are researching a commercial sign grant program, which is similar to façade grant programs, which could help small businesses owners with modest grants.
He said he is also researching a residential rehabilitation grant for apartments that are on the second floor of some of the retail and commercial businesses along Southfield Road and Fort Street.
“It would be great if we could get more people living downtown, and a grant program like that might be really beneficial,” Marten said. “But those are still in the research stages.”
He said they will be reigniting the banner program, and will have some off-season meetings with the Farmers Market to improve its vibrancy.