Downtown Development Authority

MAIN STREET BASELINE SUMMARY

Our Main Street baseline summary is complete! After several stakeholder meetings, a public survey, and collection of new market data, the downtown Coldwater baseline summary is available for view. The summary shares the results of the public survey, includes details of the local market, and identifies key areas of focus. Click here for a link to the report.

Members

Under the guidance of the DDA, with assistance from the City’s Neighborhood Services Department, the Committee will be comprised of 3 citizen members and representatives from the City Planning and Historic District Commissions. The Branch District Library, American Legion, Altrusa, and the Coldwater Garden Club have also been asked to designate a representative to serve on the Committee.

Michael J. Caywood
Term: October, 2018 - September, 2022
John Rucker
Term: October, 2019 - September, 2023
Thomas Kramer, Mayor
Term: November, 2011 - November, 2023
Makayla Bendele
Term: January, 2021 - September, 2025
Brad Rockey
Term: March, 1991 - September, 2025
Christopher Howell
Term: January 2022 - September, 2023
Matt Biolchini
Term: November, 2021 - September, 2022
Courtney Dirschell
Term: August, 2019 - September, 2024
Vacancy
Term: Immediate - September, 2024

Term Length

Authority Member term length is 4 years.

Beautiful Downtown Coldwater

Located on historic Heritage Route US-12, just west of I-69 and only 12 miles from the Indiana border, Downtown Coldwater has the charm of a Victorian era city but with modern amenities such as a free Electric Vehicle Charging Station.

Our historic downtown storefronts with their unique architecture, welcome you in to browse (and hopefully purchase!) everything from specialty gifts and jewelry to quality furniture. Feeling hungry? Then enjoy a tasty meal at one of our many coffee shops, restaurants or pubs or share your picnic lunch with a friend in Four Corners Park.

Current Projects & Activities

Building Improvement Program: Rebates and Low Interest Loans

The DDA offers rebates towards façade improvement projects. This year six buildings have taken on exterior renovations with the assistance of the rebate program, while several others have been approved for funding and are in the process of completing their improvements. For program details, reach out to Audrey Tappenden, Economic Development Assistant.

Click here for the program guidelines.
Click here to apply.

Print Advertisements

We continue to place print advertisements in publications with regional and widespread impact. These include the Coldwater Country Visitor’s Guide, Lake Access Magazine, and the Tibbits playbill.

Social Media

In 2019 Facebook and Instagram pages were created for Downtown Coldwater. We are happy to be able to reach our local and regional audiences using these platforms, and to create positive messaging for the downtown. We now create our own content and share the events, programs, sales, and good news of our fellow downtown businesses and organizations.

Seasonal Planters & Decorations

We pride ourselves on having beautiful flowers and decorations on display each season throughout downtown. Our large planters are a crowd favorite in the summer. Fall brings a change of color and materials before festive holiday décor and lights are installed in November and December.

“Taylor’s Building” - Purchase, Maintenance, & Tenant

The DDA purchased the former Taylor’s building during the November 2019 regular meeting. It is the goal of the Authority to use this building as a development tool and to offer incentives to the developer(s) of a project which meets the goals of the community and our downtown overall. Architectural renderings and cost estimates were prepared to outline the development potential at the site. The DDA is currently working to assess cost of required maintenance activities and financing options. The DDA is also exploring the feasibility of locating the Children's Museum of Branch County to the ground floor. Access the RFQ by clicking here.

Accomplishments

Match on Main Recipient

This year, the DDA's application to Match on Main resulted in an $18,000 grant for El Taco Loco. The funds will go towards architectural fees to help plan a restaurant expansion and assess the feasibility of upper story apartment units.

In 2020, the DDA applied for a Match on Main Grant to support 9 of our downtown businesses impacted by COVID-19 and were one of a handful communities selected to receive grant funds. We received $35,000 through the Match on Main program and distributed awards ranging from $2,000-$10,000.

Façade Renovations

Funds from the DDA Rebate Program have been earmarked for 11 projects in the 2020 fiscal year. Over $1,000,000 in private investment has been committed to downtown during the first 13 months of the program.

Social Media Growth

Over 1,000 Facebook followers and individual post reach over 15,000.

Bike Rack Installation

Bike racks have been designed, purchased, delivered and installed! Our downtown is now even more accessible to its visitors, workers, and community.

This core group will review the STDI Master Design Concept and draft a 5 year improvement plan containing short and long term projects and activities and the identification of community partnerships necessary to accomplish them. Based on the 5 year improvement plan, a final Master Plan with project specific implementation and funding strategies will be created. At that time, additional partnership organizations and community members with a special interest in the park, or a specific project outlined in the Master Plan, will be invited to serve as subcommittee members.

The STDI is a program of Michigan State University's (MSU) Planning and Landscape Architecture Department which has worked with many small communities throughout Michigan who've utilized the design concepts provided by the STDI program to further their beatification and community revitalization efforts. The program was brought to Coldwater as a joint effort between the City of Coldwater and the Coldwater Downtown Development Authority (DDA).

Contracts

As part of its effort to carry out the goals and objectives of the Authority, the Coldwater DDA has hired the following businesses for contractual services over the course of 2019:

Neitzert’s Greenhouse & Florist

Neitzert’s installs and maintains floral decorations seasonally in Downtown Coldwater.

Unspent Revenues

Unspent revenues that accumulated during any of the past 5-10 fiscal years were set aside for use towards large and/or long-term projects. Some of the DDA’s net revenues resulted from the annual budget while other surpluses were realized from a building sale. These positive net revenues have been deployed for parking lot improvements and renovations, development opportunities, the façade improvement rebate program, and other projects.