Sturgis Downtown Development Authority
208 W. Chicago Road #9 Sturgis, MI 49091

Welcome to Downtown Sturgis

"To improve the vitality of the Downtown Development District, enhancing economic, cultural, and social opportunities, while building upon our historical heritage."

Sturgis Downtown Development Authority

Strategic Plan 2010

Text Box: The Sturgis Downtown Development Authority uses the Main Street Four-Point Approach as the foundation for revitalizing the downtown. The essence of the Main Street Approach is to leverage local assets; whether it is human capital, cultural or architectural heritage, local enterprises and community pride. The four points of the Main Street approach work together to build a sustainable and complete community revitalization effort – a downtown that is inviting, unique and vibrant. From these four points (Organization, Promotion, Design, and Economic Restructuring) the DDA has developed goals and corresponding objectives for continuing to make Downtown Sturgis successful.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Text Box: Eight Guiding Principles of Successful Main Streets 1) Comprehensive No single focus — lavish public improvements, name-brand business recruitment, or endless promotional events — can revitalize Main Street. For successful, sustainable, long-term revitalization, a comprehensive approach, including activity in each of Main Street's Four Points, is essential. 2) Self-help No one else will save your Main Street. Local leaders must have the will and desire to mobilize local resources and talent. That means convincing residents and business owners of the rewards they'll reap by investing time and money in Main Street — the heart of their community. Only local leadership can produce long-term success by fostering and demonstrating community involvement and commitment to the revitalization effort. 3) Partnerships Both the public and private sectors have a vital interest in the district and must work together to achieve common goals of Main Street's revitalization. Each sector has a role to play and each must understand the other's strengths and limitations in order to forge an effective partnership. Organization

Involves getting everyone working toward the same goal and assembling the appropriate human and financial resources. A governing board and standing committees make up the fundamental organizational structure of the volunteer-driven program. Volunteers are coordinated and supported by a paid executive director as well. This structure not only divides the workload and clearly delineates responsibilities, but also builds consensus and cooperation among the various stakeholders.

 

Goal:  Facilitate an environment among businesses that promotes collaboration, partnerships and engagement in revitalization efforts.

Objective: Hold annual DDA business meeting with downtown stakeholders to highlight achievements, present special awards and recognition and communicate future goals and projects.

 

Goal:  Increase communication between DDA Board and downtown stakeholders.

Objective: Conduct downtown business survey.

Objective: Establish retention program by DDA Board and                 Executive Director.

 

Goal:  Effectively communicate DDA Board’s activities, priorities and ongoing projects to downtown stakeholders.

Objective: Make available on the DDA website and distribute copies of the DDA Strategic Plan to downtown businesses.

Text Box: Eight Principles (continued) 4) Quality Emphasize quality in every aspect of the revitalization program. This applies to all elements of the process — from storefront designs to promotional campaigns to educational programs. Shoestring budgets and "cut and paste" efforts reinforce a negative image of the commercial district. Instead, concentrate on quality projects over quantity. 5) Implementation To succeed, Main Street must show visible results that can only come from completing projects. Frequent, visible changes are a reminder that the revitalization effort is under way and succeeding. Small projects at the beginning of the program pave the way for larger ones as the revitalization effort matures, and that constant revitalization activity creates confidence in the Main Street program and ever-greater levels of participation. PHOTOGoal:  Build strong partnerships between DDA, City Commission and Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce.

         Objective: Hold joint meeting between DDA, City

         Commission and Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce to

         discuss mutual issues and opportunities to partner.

 

Goal:  Maintain a financially strong DDA.

   Objective:  Complete TIF Plan update.

      Objective:  Encourage donors and investors.

 

 

Promotion

Sells a positive image of the commercial district and encourages consumers and investors to live, work, shop, play and invest in the Main Street district. By marketing a district's unique characteristics to residents, investors, business owners, and visitors, an effective promotional strategy forges a positive image through advertising, retail promotional activity, special events, and marketing campaigns carried out by local volunteers. These activities improve consumer and investor confidence in the district and encourage commercial activity and investment in the area.

 

Goal:  Effectively promote downtown events to downtown stakeholders and the community.

   Objective: Continue communications through DDA website,

   Facebook and Business Buzz.

   Objective: Develop brochure to help market businesses and

   events.

   Objective: Participate as an active partner with the Sturgis

   Area Marketing Committee.

 

Goal:  Coordinate quality downtown events.

   Objective:  Continue to sponsor Fun Friday’s.

   Objective:  Enhance Farmer’s Market.

   Objective:  Assist DSA with their events.

   Objective:  Assist the Open Door Gallery with their events.

         Objective:  Participate on the Culture & Commerce

         Committee.

   Objective:  Encourage organizations to hold their

   events downtown.

 

Design

Means getting Main Street into top physical shape. Capitalizing on its best assets such as historic buildings and pedestrian-oriented streets is just part of the story. An inviting atmosphere, created through attractive window displays, parking areas, building improvements, street furniture, signs, sidewalks, street lights, and landscaping, conveys a positive visual message about the commercial district and what it has to offer. Design activities also include instilling good maintenance practices in the commercial district, enhancing the physical appearance of the commercial district by rehabilitating historic buildings, encouraging appropriate new construction, developing sensitive design management systems, and long-term planning.

Text Box: Eight Principles (continued) 6) Incremental Baby steps come before walking. Successful revitalization programs begin with basic, simple activities that demonstrate that "new things are happening” in the commercial district. As public confidence in the Main Street district grows and participants' understanding of the revitalization process becomes more sophisticated, Main Street is able to tackle increasingly complex problems and more ambitious projects. This incremental change leads to much longer-lasting and dramatic positive change in the Main Street area. 7) Change Skeptics turn into believers and attitudes on Main Street will turn around. At first, almost no one believes Main Street can really turn around. Changes in attitude and practice are slow but definite — public support for change will build as the Main Street program grows and consistently meets its goals. Change also means engaging in better business practices, altering ways of thinking, and improving the physical appearance of the commercial district. A carefully planned Main Street program will help shift public perceptions and practices to support and sustain the revitalization process. 8) Identifying and capitalizing on existing assets Business districts must capitalize on the assets that make them unique. Every district has unique qualities like distinctive buildings and human scale that give people a sense of belonging. These local assets must serve as the foundation for all aspects of the revitalization program.

Goal:  Create and maintain an aesthetic appearance that maintains distinct architecture and creates a unique sense of place.

Objective: Continue offering Rebate Program designed to assist businesses with façade improvements.

Objective: Work with parks department to maintain streetscape.

Objective: Engage business owners in Community Planting Day event.

 

  

Objective:  Encourage maintenance partnership with merchants.

Economic Restructuring

Strengthens a community's existing economic assets while expanding and diversifying its economic base. The Main Street program helps sharpen the competitiveness of existing business owners and recruits compatible new businesses and new economic uses to build a commercial district that responds to today's consumers' needs. Converting unused or underused commercial space into economically productive property also helps boost the profitability of the district.

 

Goal:  Eliminate vacancies of unused or underused buildings.

Objective: Initiate next Legacy project through acquisition of unused or underused buildings.

Objective:  Continue merchant recruitment program.

Objective:  Facilitate recruitment of destination restaurant for downtown.

 

Goal:  Provide an environment conducive to successful commerce and unique visitor experiences.

Objective:  Maintain current retail emphasis for first floor storefronts.

Objective:  Ensure DDA and City Master plans are compatible by communicating the DDA strategic plan to the City Planning Board.

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

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