HyettPalma
703-683-5126
info@hyettpalma.com

Featured Project:
Downtown Manistee, Michigan

HyettPalma worked with Manistee to complete the Downtown Manistee Economic Enhancement Strategy in 1993. This document presented the community’s vision for Downtown Manistee, Michigan, as well as the findings of a market analysis conducted for Downtown.

HyettPalma was retained in 2002 to update the Downtown enhancement strategy.

Remarkable accomplishments have been realized in Downtown Manistee since 1993. And, a shift in emphasis has occurred in the Downtown economic enhancement effort between 1993 and 2002. In 1993, the enhancement effort’s emphasis was placed on physical improvements. And, these included creation of the Riverwalk and implementation of River Street improvements. The goal of these physical improvements was to enhance Downtown’s appearance, appeal, and access and to tie the river to Downtown. In 2002, the emphasis in further enhancing Downtown is turning to economic development, maintenance, and marketing.

In 2002, Downtown’s enhancement is moving forward with new energy and new leadership. This is exemplified in the fact that:

• Downtown now has a number of new businesses, new business owners, new business managers, and new property owners;
• The Chamber of Commerce has a new director;
• The City has a new City Manager;
• A newly merged organization, MECCA, is at the helm of local economic development efforts; and
• The Merchants Committee of the Chamber of Commerce is in the process of reorganizing and revitalizing itself.

In addition, the DDA continues to be extremely committed and dedicated to the Downtown enhancement effort. So much so that a number of charter DDA members are still on the board and fully active.

Finally, Downtown now enjoys a strong economic front: Downtown has the ability to draw on a dual market, comprised of both local residents and an increased tourist trade, and improving demographics in the trade area.

The result is that Downtown’s image is improving, the public’s perception of Downtown is turning, and the enhancement effort has momentum. The challenge now is to push that momentum further by focussing on:

• Maintenance, to further improve Downtown’s curb appeal;
• Economic development, to further improve Downtown’s business mix via business retention and recruitment; and
• Marketing, to attract larger numbers of both local residents and area visitors.

In short, since 1992 Downtown Manistee has been developing into a great “product.” The time is at hand to strengthen and market that product so that it becomes irresistible to the buying public.