Cheboygan Main Street

The Main Street DDA Board has gone through a strategic planning process to identify a Transformation Strategy for our downtown.  Family Friendly + Arts & Entertainment is the transformation strategy that will be used to guide programming, planning and investment in the downtown district.

Cheboygan Main Street has established a community vision for the district:

Cheboygan is vibrant with colorful activity all year long; the infinite flow of the Cheboygan River a lyrical background to creative and family-friendly storefronts, parks and greenspaces and activities that are inviting and welcoming to everyone – residents and visitors alike. Its wayfaring and trading history and heritage is evident in thoughtfully restored buildings, public art and landmarks, and its well-lit and walkable streets offer a treasure trove of sights and sounds waiting to be discovered.

LEADERSHIP

Cheboygan Main Street is overseen by the Main Street DDA Board of Directors:

• Emily Eckhart, Chairperson, Nourish
• David Bishop, Bishop Automotive Group
• John Costin, Simply Marcella, The Queens Head
• Bobie Crongeyer, Treasurer, Judicial Management Systems, Inc.
• Vincent Hillesheim, Anchor In Marina
• Dennis Lindeman, Linde Furniture
• Christy Stempky, Vice-Chairperson, Nourish
• Christine Khan-King, Hive North
• Ex-Officio Members:
• Mayor Mark C. Bronson
• Councilman Brett A. Mallory, Secretary
• Scott Herceg, Cheboygan Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director

Staff:

Kirsten Guenther, Main Street DDA Director

Katie Duczkowski, Main Street DDA Interim Director
Phone:  (231) 627-9931

MAIN STREET COMMITTEES

There are five Main Street Committees that have been developed to work on projects focused on the redevelopment of Downtown Cheboygan.

Outreach Committee:

This committee focuses efforts on communication, fundraising, volunteer management, and marketing.

Existing Outreach Projects include:

1. Posting Community Calendars online
2. Distributing table-top calendars in restaurants/retailers and expanding to market individual business events/promotions
3. Creating a weekly column in the Cheboygan Daily Tribune promoting the Main Street efforts
4. Developing a robust Fundraising Plan

2020 New Outreach Projects include:

1. Communication Plan
2. Business marketing plan that will include a business directory, co-op advertising, and social media campaign

Potential Outreach Projects for 2021 and Beyond include:

1. Branding
2. Local and regional marketing to residents and visitors

Outreach Committee Chair:  Bobie Crongeyer

Events Committee: 

The Events committee will evaluate the current Events and adding Family Friends dynamics to the current events for 2020. Moving into 2021 there may be new Events added. We are looking for Event Leads as well as boots on the ground people to orchestrate the event on the day of. The planning process will be over the course of the year but as we get a week out and so on there will be more hands needed.

Existing Events/Projects include:

1. FallFest
2. Hospitality Night
3. Spring and Fall Girls Night Out
4. City Birthday Party
5. Music Fest
6. Rockin’ Rivertown Ride
7. Christmas in July Sales
8. Downtown Trick-or-Treat
9. Build collaboration with Chamber events:  Waterways Festival, Concert Series, 4^th of July Parade, and Holiday Parade of Lights
10. Farmers Market

2020 New Projects/Ideas for Events include:

1. Restaurant Week
2. Tasting Event
3. Retail Event (collaboration with business owners)
4. Adding street musicians during events
5. Small Business Saturday
6. Add a winter event

Events Committee Chair:

Business Development: 

The Business Development Committee will strive to recruit businesses and entrepreneurs to Main Street Cheboygan, while assisting in the growth and retention of current businesses.

Existing Business Development Projects include:

1. Available Property Listings
2. New Business Resource/Development Guide
3. Invest Cheboygan
4. Wireless Internet Downtown

2020 New Business Development Projects include:

1. Business Recruitment
2. Expanded Business Hours
3. Business Support Services (visitation program, business and building owner meetings, workshops, business retention, business expansion)
4. Fill vacant spaces (business incubator, pop-up program)

Business Development Committee Chair:  David Bishop

Placemaking Committee: 

The Placemaking Committee focuses on Design and Décor.  This committee has two subcommittees.

Existing DÉCOR Projects include:

1. Downtown décor
2. Flowers – planters

2020 New DÉCOR Projects include:

1. Wayfinding Directional Signage, Info Kiosks
2. Public Art (Partner with Art Vision Cheboygan)
3. Bike Rack installation

Existing DESIGN Projects include:

1. Festival Square

2020 New DESIGN Projects include:

1. Waterfront redesign and Boardwalk (Planning phase for 2020)
2. Design Guidelines
3. Form Based Code & Downtown Zoning District
4. Lighting – LED conversion
5. History and Heritage Interpretive Signs
6. Façade and/or Sign Grant Program (Storefront rehab and improve business signage)
7. Vibrancy Grant Program
8. Downtown Cleanup event
9. Infill development
10. Redevelopment of vacant lots and buildings
11. Residential development

Potential DESIGN Projects for 2021 and beyond include:

1. Green Spaces, Pocket Parks
2. Streetscape
3. Improve Crosswalks
4. Parking Management

Placemaking Committee Chair:  Christy Stempky

To become a volunteer on any of the Main Street committees, please contact
Kirsten Guenther, Main Street DDA Director

Katie Duczkowski, Main Street DDA Interim Director
Phone:  (231) 627-9931
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