Presentation by Deb Davidson on November 5, 2013

1. PHOENIX STREET
IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
(aka DIG SoHa)

2. DDA
Streetscape
Master Plan
January 2010

3. Funding
• MICHIGAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
GRANT (MEDC) DIG $750,000
• Downtown Development Authority (DDA)
$2.9 mil; approx. $228,000 payable over a
19-year period at 3.94%
• No assessments to property owners!

4. Why Now?
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•
•
•
MEDC Grant
Meijer
Avoid tearing up streets in future
TIMELINE

5. Project limits

8. • New infrastructure
• New sidewalks
• New pavement

9. • Trees
• Benches
• Bike racks

10. • Rain gardens
• Brick pavers
• Planters

11. • Outdoor dining
• Partner with S.H.
Center for the Arts
• WiFi

16. Downtown is Open!
Dig SoHa Marketing Campaign
Communications is key to
project’s success! Signage;
newsletter; project update;
brochure; weekly progress
meeting; fact sheets; plan
displayed in city hall and
businesses
digsoha.com
Dig SoHa blog

19. Business Survival
• What are the
businesses doing to
survive the project?
• Back Door Access
• Events
• Promos
• Creative ideas

21. Stay in the Know
•
•
•
•
•
www.Digsoha.com
www.south-haven.com
South Haven Tribune Dig SoHa section
Weekly progress meetings at the bakery
Ask Deb

22. PHOENIX STREET
IMPROVEMENT
PROJECT
You’re going to dig it!