Page 8 - The Wayne Dispatch

DDA helps businesses and work to improve downtown

By Carolyn Marnon The mast arms and metal trash
Public Act 57 requires the DDA cans at westbound Michigan Ave.
(Downtown Development Authority) and Wayne Rd. were repainted.
conduct two informational meetings New holiday banners and holiday
per year. The first meeting was held lights were purchased and hung.
during the DDA’s regular Board Portions of the deteriorating re-
meeting on December 9 and the sec- taining wall at Goudy Park were re-
ond was held at the December 15 moved.
city council meeting.
The COVID-19 pandemic was a The DDA has several goals for
challenge in 2020, but it didn’t com- 2021:
pletely stop the City of Wayne and the They would like to retain a quali-
DDA from making progress. DDA Di- fied firm to produce a quality mar-
rector Lori Gouin shared informa- keting campaign.
tion of the DDA’s 2020 activities. Kevin Hatmaker is moving his State Farm Office into downtown Wayne. The office They would like to secure a Real
A Façade Improvement Grant will be opening soon. Estate Program for assistance with
was implemented and grants were business placement.
given to The Avenue American Bistro Wayne Westland Urgent Care Trees were removed from block- They want to evaluate the possi-
and My Place Restaurant. Elusive Beauty Vault ing store fronts along westbound bility of new entrance signage on east
Beaumont Urgent Care was newly Treasure Seekers Michigan Ave. and westbound Michigan Ave.
constructed on eastbound Michigan 6:00 a.m. Barber Shop The islands next to the Court- They want to purchase more hol-
Ave. Chahrour Investments house and behind Leo’s were iday lights.
112 Bar on Michigan Ave. was de- AKA Sports cleaned and re-mulched. They’d like to continue the land-
molished to make way for new devel- Antique Smoke Plantings in the garden beds on scape improvement project along
opment. Aramark-Michigan Assembly Michigan Ave. from Second St. to Michigan Ave. and Wayne Rd.
The DDA hosted a 6-week multi- Beaumont Urgent Care Elizabeth were removed and re- They want to replace the cement
media holiday marketing campaign Destiny’s Children planted. in Derby’s Alley.
encouraging people to “Experience Elm Street Wholesale All decorative light poles were They would like to continue with
Downtown Wayne.” Commercials House of Smoke and Vape painted green. improvements to Goudy Park.
promoting downtown Wayne’s shop- J & J Auto Wash
ping experience and restaurants
were shown on WOW! and Xfinity The City and DDA met with the
cable tv. A billboard on Ford Rd Wayne County Department of Public
along with social media and print Services to discuss traffic calming
ads were also used. and a pedestrian crossing on Wayne
New holiday banners and lights Rd. between westbound Michigan
were installed along Michigan Ave. Ave. and Glenwood.
and Wayne Rd. The DDA participated in Strategic
Nineteen new businesses opened Planning Sessions with members of
in Wayne. the Planning Commission to provide
Premium Properties Management input on the City of Wayne Master
State Farm - Kevin Hatmaker Plan Revision.
Summerfield Auto Many improvements were also
SVS Vision made in the City:
Auto Sales Trees were trimmed along north-
Office Space bound Wayne Rd.

8 · March 2021 · The Wayne Dispatch