Cheboygan DDA

The Cheboygan Downtown Development Authority is a eleven member board composed of business owners, managers and Downtown Cheboygan residents.

Formed in 1986, the DDA’s main purpose is to improve the functional quality as well as the aesthetics of Cheboygan’s Downtown while preserving its character.

The DDA is funded through the capture of Cheboygan tax dollars otherwise designated to the County of Cheboygan, and the City of Cheboygan.

The Cheboygan DDA Board of Directors consists of the Mayor and 10 board members.

• Downtown Cheboygan Map
• DDA Boundaries Map
• DDA Plan Amended
• DDA Main Street Design Guidelines
• 2021 IMPACT Report
• 2022 IMPACT Report
• 2021 Development Plan and Tax Increment Financing Plan
• Pedestrian Footbridge Vertical Access Options

National Main Street – COVID-19 Resources Page

Board of Directors

• Eric Villanueva, Chair/ Secretary, Lindsay & Lindsay Law Partners, PC
• John Costin, Vice-Chairperson, Simply Marcella, The Queen’s Head, The Lark Theatre, Stormy Kromer A Cap & Ale House, Pig ‘N’ Whistle, The Christmas Shoppe
• Bobie Crongeyer, Treasurer, Judicial Management Systems, Inc.
• Emily Eckhart, Nourish
• Christy Stempky, Nourish
• John Stritmatter, Xact Cultivation
• Amanda Paull, Animal Medical Clinic of Cheboygan
• Mayor Brett Mallory
• Ex-Officio Members:
  • Carole Yeck, Cheboygan Area Chamber of Commerce

Cheboygan Main Street

The City of Cheboygan was awarded Michigan Main Street Select Level status in 2019!  As part of the Select Level, Cheboygan will receive five years of intensive technical assistance from MEDC with a focus on revitalization strategies designed to attract new residents, business investments, economic growth and job creation to the central business districts.

The Michigan Main Street Program aims to create communities distinguished by a “sense of place.” The rationale is based on a range of studies that show investing in creating a “sense of place” is an integral part of developing vibrant city centers and downtowns, thereby making the state economically stronger and culturally diverse.

There are currently 31 communities participating in the Michigan Main Street at engaged, select and master levels. Each level provides services based on a community’s commitment, from one to five years in the program.

“Developing downtowns is essential in building a tax base, raising property values and putting people to work,” said MEDC CEO Jeff Mason. “Programs like Michigan Main Street provide downtown communities with the tools needed to create jobs, provide desirable places to live and build a sense of place for Michigan residents.”

Over the past year, Michigan Main Street communities generated nearly $14 million in private investment, 87 new businesses and 150 façade improvements. Since its inception in 2003, the Michigan Main Street has been a catalyst for job growth, private investment and community engagement. From 2003 through 2019, 1,495 new businesses have been launched, with a total public investment of $116 million and total private investment of nearly $320 million. In addition, more than 773,507 volunteer hours were recorded in the task of revitalizing downtowns across the state.

• Cheboygan Main Street Transformation Strategy

Improvements & Investments

The following is a list of the City of Cheboygan DDA’s accomplishments, projects, and investments for fiscal year 2021-22

• 12 cigarette butt recycling receptacles installed throughout downtown – $1,411
• MEDC Match on Main grant awarded to Cheboygan Brewing Company – $25,000
• 10 can & bottle recycling receptacles installed throughout downtown – $21,604
• Festoon lights installed at Festival Square – $267
• Facade Grant awarded to Beau Est Beau – $1,000
• Facade Grant awarded to The Pig ‘N’ Whistle – $1,000
• Facade Grant awarded to Cheboygan 409 Main, LLC – $2,000
• Facade Grant awarded to 100 S Main – $1,000
• Fall displays installed in five locations downtown
• Holiday Gift Catalog created and distributed
• Holiday garland installation – $585
• Radio marketing campaign

The following is a list of the City of Cheboygan DDA’s accomplishments, projects, and investments for fiscal year 2020-21

• Partnered with Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council and Native Edge, LLC to install a rain garden / native planting on Water Street
• Developed a new Main Street website www.cheboyganmainstreet.org
• Summer flowers for metal planters – $400
• Weekly Main Street articles in the Cheboygan Tribune authored by a variety of community members
• Created and distributed Downtown Cheboygan Maps
• Vibrancy Microgrant for The Pig ‘N’ Whistle – $500
• Vibrancy Microgrant for Life Balance Acupuncture – $500
• Vibrancy Microgrant for Beau Est Beau – $500
• Vibrancy Microgrant for The Big Dipper – $500
• Vibrancy Microgrant for Nourish – $500
• Vibrancy Microgrant for Williams Office Equipment – $500
• Vibrancy Microgrant for three trees planted on Huron St – $386
• Purchased 20 metal planters for Festival Square – $13,850
• Updated informational kiosks – $2,118
• Hired a Main Street DDA Beautification Specialist
• Four recycling bins added to downtown as a recycling pilot recycling program – $104
• Hanging basket flower installation – $2,600
• Summer flower installation in 20 metal planters – $400

The following is a list of the City of Cheboygan DDA’s accomplishments, projects, and investments for fiscal year 2019-20

• Created and distributed tabletop calendars to downtown restaurants and retailers
• Replaced bulbs in downtown light poles with LED bulbs
• MEDC Match on Main grant awarded to Hive North – $25,000
• Implemented Maestro Community Manager Software to track volunteer hours, projects, and building & business information
• Installed hand sanitizer stations at Festival Square – $107
• Created and distributed “We are Open” posters – $256
• Hanging flower basket installation – $2,659
• Created Design Guidelines for downtown Cheboygan
• Applied for “Match on Main – COVID-19 Response” grant on behalf of 15 downtown businesses
• Weekly Main Street articles in the Cheboygan Tribune authored by a variety of community members

The following is a list of the City of Cheboygan DDA’s accomplishments, projects, and investments for fiscal year 2018-19:

• Facade design drawing grant for the Queen’s Head – $1,000
• Formal application to Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) for Select Level Michigan Main Street Community
• Sandblast and Powder Coat existing bike racks – $1,320
• Installed new artistic bike racks – $4,500
• Purchased bows for holiday decorations – $1,675
• Hanging flower basket installation ($2,200) and maintenance ($1,892)
• Installed cornstalks on the corner lamp posts – $30

Downtown Events

Downtown Events play a critical role in driving customers into businesses on special events days. The following is a list of special events sponsored by the DDA during fiscal year 2021-22

• Downtown Thursday Nights Live: Live music, vendors, yard games, extended business hours, and more!  Downtown Cheboygan is the place to be on Thursday nights throughout the summer.
• Independence Day Parade: Downtown was packed with residents in red, white, and blue to watch dozens of creative entries travel down Main Street.
• Labor Day State Street Bridge Walk:  Community members walked the State Street Bridge and along Water Street to Washington Park where there was a community cookout was held with complementary hot dogs, chips, and bottled water, along with live music and yard games.
• Downtown Scarecrow Stroll: Over 35 businesses decorated their storefront with a scarecrow to dress up downtown for the fall.  Residents and visitors were invited to stroll the streets throughout the month of October and vote on their favorite scarecrow.
• Ladies Night Out: A fun night of shopping, dining, and friendship in Downtown Cheboygan.  Businesses offered special deals and refreshments as well as merchandise for Downtown gift baskets that were given away at the Mulligan’s after party.
• Hospitality Night:  We love making spirits bright during the holidays! Shop holiday gifts and décor and pick up a little something for yourself on December 2nd from 3-8pm in Downtown Cheboygan.  Downtown elves handed out I Believe in Downtown Cheboygan reusable shopping bags, some of which contained gift certificates donated by local businesses.
• Light Up Local:  Let the glow of local guide you to downtown Cheboygan to see 42 Christmas trees sponsored and creatively decorated by local businesses, organizations, and families.
• Holiday Parade of Lights:  Downtown was all dressed up for the holidays and packed to watch brightly lit floats travel down Main Street.  Main Street DDA volunteers handed out over 600 I Believe in Downtown Cheboygan reusable shopping bags to parade goers.  Santa and Mrs. Claus greeted children at Festival Square immediately following the parade.

Downtown Events play a critical role in driving customers into businesses on special events days. The following is a list of special events sponsored by the DDA during fiscal year 2020-21:

• Downtown Thursday Nights Live: Live music, vendors, yard games, extended business hours, and more!  Downtown Cheboygan is the place to be on Thursday nights throughout the summer.
• Downtown Clean Sweeps: Clean sweep events held at a variety of locations including Main Street, Gordon Turner Park, Lincoln Ave, Major City Park, Division Ave, and the North Central State Trail contributed over 100 volunteer hours to trash pick-up and getting the community ready for spring.
• Shine Up Cheboygan: The Main Street DDA partnered with the City of Cheboygan to offer this FREE service for all city residents. Five 30-yard dumpsters were available at the Cheboygan County Fairgrounds for residents to dispose of items not accepted by regular waste removal services.  Additional services included a dumpster for scrap metal recycling and an electronics recycling vendor. Habitat for Humanity was on site to collect quality sellable items.
• Easter Egg Hunt: Hundreds of plastic eggs were hidden throughout Washington Park and Major City Park for children to find.  Over 200 community members participated.
• Cheboygan Summer Passport: Whether you have lived here all your life, or are vacationing in the area, we hope you can use this Summer Passport as a guide to exploring the many little treasures our beautiful town has to offer. 210 passports were distributed at the downtown informational kiosks and at City Hall.
• Main Street DDA Business Roundtable: A casual opportunity to reconnect with fellow business owners and meet the new faces in town.  How to maintain momentum on Main Street was the key talking point of the July event.
• Downtown Scarecrow Stroll: Over 20 businesses decorated their storefront with a scarecrow to dress up downtown for the fall.  Folks were invited to stroll the streets throughout the month of October and vote on their favorite scarecrow.  356 votes were cast.
• Light Up Local:  Let the glow of local guide you to downtown Cheboygan to see 30 Christmas trees sponsored and creatively decorated by local businesses, organizations, and families.

The following is a list of special events sponsored by the DDA during fiscal year 2019-20:

• Music Festival:  Held the fourth Friday & Saturday in July in Festival Square, this event is a FREE admission activity.  Performers from across the state take the stage for this event. In 2019, 2,000 people attended and 52 volunteers contributed a total of 187 volunteer hours.
• Rockin’ Rivertown Ride:  This event is held on the Saturday of Music Fest and features a motorcycle poker run, bike parade and bike show.  In 2019, 34 bikes registered for this event.
• Cheboygan’s 130th Birthday Party:  A fun filled day with activities for all ages.  Vintage baseball game, sidewalk sales, kids games and activities, History Center tours, Lighthouse tours, poetry readings at the Cheboygan Carnegie, ice cream social and cake walk at Washington Park, pub crawl, Cheboygan’s lumbering history exhibit at the Cheboygan Area Public Library, Cummings String Quartet performance at the Cheboygan Opera House, ribbon cutting ceremonies at the Children’s Trail and Duncan Bay Preserve, square dance at Festival Square, and fireworks at dusk.
• Labor Day Bridge Walk: Crowds gather on the east side of the State Street drawbridge on Labor Day for the annual Bridge Walk and Community Picnic.  Line-up begins at 11:00 a.m. and the walk begins at 11:45 a.m.  This event had good attendance with many first time walkers.
• Downtown Trick-or-Treating: Downtown businesses welcome Trick-or-Treaters from 3-5 pm on Halloween.  Main Street is closed from State to Court Streets to keep the event safe for everyone.
• Girls Night Out Events: Retailers and restaurants participate in Girls Night Out events in the fall and summer.  The fall event is held near the opening day of deer rifle season.  The summer event is held mid-June. Businesses donate gift card/certificates as well as items to create gift baskets for a door prize drawing.

The following is a list of special events sponsored by the DDA during fiscal year 2018-19:

• Music Festival:  Held the fourth Friday & Saturday in July in Festival Square, this event is a FREE admission activity.  Performers from across the state take the stage for this event.  1,800 people attend and 60 volunteers assist.
• Rockin’ Rivertown Ride:  This event is held on the Saturday of Music Fest and features a motorcycle poker run, bike parade and bike show.  In 2018, 65 poker run participants and 50 bikes were featured.  Bike participants came to this event from all over the state as well as Florida!
• Sidewalk Sales:  Participating retailers offer discounted merchandise and display products on the sidewalk the first Thursday-Friday-Saturday in August.
• Labor Day Bridge Walk:  Crowds gather on the east side of the State Street drawbridge on Labor Day for the annual Bridge Walk and Community Picnic.  Line-up begins at 11:00 a.m. and the walk begins at 11:45 a.m.
• FallFest:  This event features events held throughout the City with many events taking place in Festival Square.  Held the first weekend in October, this is coordinated by a committee of volunteers.
• Downtown Trick-or-Treating:  Downtown businesses welcome Trick-or-Treaters from 3-5 pm on Halloween.  Main Street is closed from State to Court Streets to keep the event safe for everyone.  In 2018, businesses reported between 1,500-2,000 children attending.
• Girls Night Out Events:  Retailers and restaurants participate in Girls Night Out events in the fall and summer.  The fall event is held near the opening day of deer rifle season.  The summer event is held mid-June.  500 attend the fall event and 300 attend the summer activity.   Businesses donate gift card/certificates as well as items to create gift baskets for a door prize drawing.
• Holiday Events:  The DDA sponsored two holiday events in 2018:  Downtown Hospitality Night and Men’s Night.  Hospitality Night is the first Thursday in December and Men’s Night is the second Thursday.  Businesses offered holiday refreshments as well as special shopping incentives during these events.
• Community Clean Up:  The DDA sponsored a Community Clean Up event held in May and the City held a Community Dumpster Day on the same date.  Volunteers met in Festival Square where teams were sent to areas within the City to clean up litter, rake, trim bushes and rid the areas of debris.
• Back to Bricks Car Show:  The Cheboygan Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourist Bureau partnered with the DDA to welcome the Back to Bricks Car Show from Flint, as Cheboygan was a scheduled lunch stop on the tour.

Future Plans

The DDA Plan was amended September 11, 2018 to include:

• Port of Cheboygan:  The DDA is ready, willing and able to facilitate, encourage, and help any manufacturer that wants to use the Port of Cheboygan
• Riverfront Improvements:  Improve riverfront properties owned by the City with the installation of kayak launches, upgrades to seawalls and electrical and development of rain gardens, landscaping and green space
• Install an RV Park Development on the east side of the Cheboygan River
• Provide any improvements to Festival Square
• Upon certification, follow recommendations from Michigan Main Street for implementation
• Installation of Wi-Fi throughout the downtown

At the end of the fiscal year 2018-19, the DDA had a fund balance of $281,019.  At the end of the fiscal year 2019-2020, the DDA had a fund balance of $350,987.  As the DDA TIF Plan indicates, the DDA plans to assist the City with Riverfront Improvements, install an RV park development on the east side of the Cheboygan River, make necessary improvements to Festival Square, install wi-fi throughout the downtown district, and implement Michigan Main Street programming.  These projects are anticipated to be in place by 2024.

Financials

• 2020-2021 Main Street DDA Budget
• 2020-2021 Amended Main Street DDA Budget
• 2021-2022 Main Street DDA Budget
• DDA Financial Report for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2021