Downtown plans might soon bear fruit

January 25, 2007
By Eric Gaertner
Chronicle Staff Writer

After seven months of hearing about improvement plans for their downtown, many Whitehall residents are ready to see action.

City officials and business owners closely involved with the city's five-year improvement project under the state's Cool Cities Blueprints for Michigan's Downtowns program are prepared to grant that wish.

About 20 people, mainly downtown business owners, attended Tuesday's meeting billed as a "kickoff" for implementing the blueprint plan designed by national consultants from HyettPalma. Staff from Muskegon Area First, a countywide economic development corporation, led the meeting that provided a direction for the first stages of the plan and established committees.

"Part of the sentiment from those at the meeting was there's been a lot of planning and they're ready for implementation," said Dan Rinsema-Sybenga, main street manager for Muskegon Area First. "They're ready and hopeful to create positive momentum downtown."

Amy VanLoon, White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce executive director, said she understands that it can be frustrating to wait for the preliminary work to be completed before implementation in a project like this.

"It's on the cusp of blossoming," VanLoon said. "I was encouraged by the meeting."

City officials selected Muskegon Area First, which also is working on Muskegon's downtown redevelopment, last month to lead Whitehall's downtown redevelopment project. The city's Tax Increment Finance Authority, a group that collects taxes from downtown businesses for promotion and economic development of the downtown, will provide oversight and handle finances for the project.

Muskegon Area First's plan for early stages of implementation includes its staff attending TIFA board meetings, creating the downtown annual report and working with three volunteer committees -- the Downtown Design Committee, Downtown Business Development Committee and Downtown Promotions Committee. Each committee consists of downtown business owners and officials and expects to meet monthly.

VanLoon, who is a member of the promotions and business development committees, said the work of the committees will provide direction for the project.

"It's a great opportunity for the business people to be part of it and help with implementation," VanLoon said. "They're going to reap the benefits in the long run."