DIDA Adopts Ironwood Blueprints Plan

IRONWOOD, MI - Friday, May 29, 2009 - Yesterday morning the Downtown Ironwood Development Authority (DIDA) held its regularly scheduled monthly meeting in the Women's Club Room, on the second floor of the Ironwood Memorial Building. At 8:00, DIDA Chairman George Goerig called the meeting to order. Authority Secretary Jane Bowman recorded the roll. Authority members in attendance included: Louise Demasi, Corey Gresham, Jackie Powers, Chairman George Goerig,  Steve Frank, Wayne Ozark, Eva Smith-Furgason, and Vice-Chairman Joe Karius. Mayor Bruce Noren was excused. Representing the media were Margaret Levra, writer for the Daily Globe, and yours truly. Lily Palmer was the only citizen in attendance.

Once the Authority took care of the routine tasks of approving the minutes from the previous meeting; approving the docket; and allowing citizens to address the Authority (there were none); they immediately went to work on important agenda issues.

BLUEPRINT ACTION STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION - There were three agenda items for the Authority to address regarding the Ironwood Downtown Blueprint 2009 created by HyettPalma.

A. Adoption - Steve Frank made a motion to formally adopt the Blueprint as the DIDA's official guide for the further enhancement of the downtown and for the Authority to assume a lead role in overseeing its implementation. Corey Gresham seconded the motion and the Authority unanimously approved the motion without discussion. This action was recommended on page 57 of the plan.

B. Letter - The Authority then voted unanimously to draft a letter to the Ironwood Planning Commission (IPC) and the Ironwood City Commission (ICC) to encourage them to adopt the Ironwood Downtown Blueprint 2009 as part of the City's Master Plan.

Before the Authority continued with the agenda, something in the Blueprint caught Chairman George Goerig's eye and he felt compelled to read it to the Authority, "Any current DIDA member who is unable to commit to the community's Downtown vision and the Blueprint recommendations -- or to assuming personal responsibility for their implementation -- should voluntarily resign from the board. And the City Commission should appoint new DIDA members who have the time and can make the commitments required for success." (Page 51 of the Blueprint)

After reading the statement from the document, Goerig basically turned the statement into an oath by saying, "At this time, if nobody has any comments on this statement, then I will assume that everybody is onboard to put in your fair share of work to try to implement this plan."

When nobody voiced an opinion on the statement, Goerig assumed that the Authority was in agreement with the Blueprint plan.

C. Committees and Brochure - The Agenda's next item was to "Discuss and consider forming a committee to design a downtown marketing brochure for visitors to the area."

At this time Goerig stated, "At this time I'd like to go ahead and form several committees..."

Joe Karius addressed the Authority stating that he agreed a brochure would be a good idea down the road, however, he believed that it would be best to follow through on some of the plan's recommendations to show that improvements are being made to the downtown. He said that it would be nice to have something to show people before the DIDA begins bragging about their accomplishments. Steve Frank agreed.

Goerig took the opportunity to say that, in his mind, several committees needed to be established as a first step. He said that committees can do the ground work for the Authority's only employee, Dan Petersen. He suggested that the committees do product research to determine what is available for downtown enrichment and what is the cost of those items.

The first committee that Goerig proposed was a "Beautification Committee." Their first task was to get prices on benches and trash receptacles. He reminded the Authority that the target area to begin downtown enhancement was supposed to be the block of Aurora Street between Suffolk and Lowell Streets.

Frank then asked Goerig what other committees he was proposing. Goerig suggested a "Billboard Committee" that would find acceptable locations and establish pricing on highway billboards and to find a way to have downtown businesses pay for the billboards.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Ironically, the DIDA recently abandoned their billboard on Highway 51 because they decided it was ineffective. When Doyle Hyett presented the Blueprint plan he made it very clear that HyettPalma generally does not favor the use of billboards. He said several downtown businesses found them to be effective, but it certainly would be a very low priority on the list of things necessary to re-establish the downtown. Under the "Marketing" section of the plan, billboards are listed 6th out of 7 marketing strategies. The plan recommends the following marketing efforts

1. Story Placement - Do a media blitz to let the public (customers and potential investors) know that the downtown is being enhanced and urging them to participate in the process.
2. Tourists - Use the area's history and culture to attract tourists to the area.
3. Downtown Brochure - A glossy, professionally designed "lure brochure" should be widely distributed touting all that is good about Downtown Ironwood.
4. Tourism Literature - All area tourism literature needs to incorporate historic Downtown Ironwood.
5. Events - Hyett suggested moving all events to a center location downtown so that they can positively affect local businesses. The plan also suggested adding concerts, downtown movies, and even a farmer's market.
6. Billboards - As I stated before Doyle Hyett stopped way short of endorsing the idea of billboards and the plan only acknowledges them because a few downtown businesses have found them to be successful. One such business is Creative Spirits. Hobbyists such as stampers and scrapbookers are browsers and when they travel they seek out such businesses.
7. Web - The plan suggests expanding the City's web presence to attract customers and new investors into the area.

Goerig also proposed a "Brochure Committee," a "Wayfinder Committee." Goerig suggested getting MDOT approved wayfinder signs for the highway to direct traffic to the downtown. He stated that the current "Towne Center" sign on the Gogebic Range Bank corner is on the bank's property and they might change their minds about allowing the sign to remain where it currently is.

Karius volunteered to be on the "Beautification Committee." Goerig asked if there were any other takers. Louise Demasi asked if the City wanted to get benches and waste baskets similar to those in Hurley.  Goerig said the City wants quality.

Demasi asked what money was available. Goerig said that prices need to be established first. Demasi said she believed the benches in Hurley cost over $2,000 each. Karius backed up Demasi's estimate stating that he had brochures and price lists at his office and most municipal fixtures such as those are very costly. Karius suggested that the committees could first gather prices and then come up with ideas for financing.

Frank noted to the Authority that they were supposed to over-see the projects, but they were also supposed to partner up with such organizations as the Chamber of Commerce and the Visitor's Bureau. He suggested that the Authority needs to reach out to those organizations because all efforts are supposed to be joint efforts. He also suggested that someone from the City be part of the committee process because of funding. Frank expressed his disappointment that nobody from either the Chamber or the Visitor's Bureau attended yesterday meeting.

Frank told the Authority that, should a Downtown Merchant's Association be formed, representatives from that group should be involved in the process as well.

Goerig suggested that the committees gather pricing and other information and then they make an outreach to the various groups. Frank disagreed stating that they wouldn't have any say in what was being done. They have to be involved in the plan, Frank noted.

Jackie Powers asked Goerig if he had any information about the proposed TIF (Tax Increment Financing) District, and she asked for a clarification as to what a TIF District is all about and how it differed from the existing TIF levy found on business owner's taxes. It was explained that the TIF tax that funds the DIDA is a special levy of millage to the Downtown business owners. Creating a TIF District sets a cap on property taxes, and earmarks a portion of the regular millage for use in the Downtown only.

Karius agreed with Frank's suggestion of getting others fully involved. He said, for example, that his Beautification Committee could go to the Chamber of Commerce and ask them for one member representative. He said it would be wise, at the same time, to let them know that the DIDA intends on having everybody assist in paying for or raising money for improvements.

Steve Frank pointed out that there are many groups that could also be helpful, such as the Go-In Forward Group. He noted that Lily Palmer was in the audience (It would have been more appropriate to say she WAS the audience!), and that getting the younger people's input on improvements and ways to fund them would be very beneficial to the process.

Louise Demasi suggested DIDA members let everybody they approach know that cashflow is one of the major problems they will have with the Blueprint plan.

Frank reminded the group what Mr. Doyle Hyett said at the presentation at the College. Frank quoted Hyett as saying, "We need to do as much as we can do, as quickly as we can do it in that core area." Frank said that will give the DIDA clout when the next budget cycle comes around because they can point to the improvements and show that money was spent wisely and efficiently, and a huge improvement resulted.

Powers agreed with Karius that it is better to create a wish list of things wanted instead of gathering prices. She used benches and trash containers as an example. She said if the Theatre becomes involved, the DIDA could go to them and suggest a putting on fundraiser performance to generate money for those two items. Powers said if people know that 100% of the money goes towards direct improvements to the downtown (such as benches and trash cans) they will give donations.

Frank reminded the Authority that purchases should be made locally if possible, but at least within the State when they cannot be purchased locally. He pointed out that MSHDA and the MEDC look very favorably upon purchases made within Michigan.

Eva Smith-Furgason suggested that the Authority was tending to "cherry pick" projects instead of following a step-by-step plan. She expressed concern that there was no overall plan to implement the Blueprint program. She said that the discussion started with marketing brochures; then it went to benches; then the discuss is about beautification. She suggested that a sequential list be created and then followed so that the Authority can show progress through the process.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This reporter suggested to Chairman Goerig that the DIDA invite Kelly Kline and Will Andresen to take an advisory role in the Blueprint process. Hurley has done an outstanding job of (1) creating a plan of action and (2) following through with each phase of the plan. Hurley was able to garner Federal funding for their major street and infrastructure improvements. HyettPalma has provided the DIDA with a very solid Blueprint. The City of Ironwood obviously could use the advice of a couple of "Master Carpenters," if you will, to read through the prints and guide us through the process. Back in 2005 Kelly Kline drafted a plan for Hurley's improvements and in 2007 Will Andresen modified it. To read an article about Hurley's Improvement Plan [CLICK HERE].

George Goerig told Ms. Smith-Furgason that a complete list of costs needs to be established before anything can be initiated. Smith-Furgason disagreed completely. She told the Authority that she wasn't seeing an effort to follow any kind of plan with any kind of order. Instead she was witnessing small segments of the Blueprint being singled out without concern for the overall vision.

Goerig said much of the funding is administrative work and is the responsibility of the City. He said creating committees that focus on specific tasks and then bringing those committees together as a group to discuss how each of them fit into the overall picture is the best plan of attack.

Smith-Furgason insisted that the Blueprint clearly spells out duties, roles, and a plan of action, and instead of closely following that plan, the Authority appears to be picking and choosing segments at random. Smith-Furgason said she would like to know what things will be done and in what time frame. She suggested that the DIDA should know basically what will be done the first year; what will be done the second; the third; and so on. She went so far as to suggest that a monthly time line be followed.

Steve Frank agreed that the Blueprint does list tasks in a specific order. He suggested that creating a "Brochure Committee" was too limiting as the Blueprint lists objectives in "Marketing." Frank asked George if the Authority would be better served by creating a "Marketing Committee" that examined all phases of marketing. He pointed out that broadening the scope of each committee would make each of the committees much more efficient. After going through the plan, it was agreed that many of the tasks will need to be assumed by the City and that many of the tasks needed to be addressed by the DIDA, but broadening the scope of each committee streamlined the process considerably.

Joe Karius pointed out that the Blueprint calls for action on a small scale -- low in cost, but high in visibility -- so that future funding agents will see an effort being made for improvement. Hyett strongly recommended that approach in his presentation.

Eva Smith-Furgason asked who decided what approach the DIDA would be taking on the Blueprint program. She suggested that a meeting be called where the members of the Authority go over the Blueprint to follow it as it was designed to be followed. Steve Frank told Eva that the Authority needs to focus on what is do-able and affordable for the DIDA in the focus block because step one needs to show MSHDA, the MEDC and other potential "investors" that the DIDA is both capable of accomplishing a goal and serious about improving the City's Downtown. Frank also pointed out that most of the "big meetings" the City plans have very poor community involvement anyway.

George Goerig said that working off of a time line was not feasible because there were too many stumbling blocks -- too many hurdles to cross -- financing, logistics, etc.

After continued debate the Authority created the following committees: (1) Marketing - billboard, brochures, and story placement, "lure" brochures, events, and web presence; (2) Public Physical Improvements - Street signs, parking, wayfinder signs, banners, benches, and beautification; (3) Business Development - bookkeeping, TIF Districts, merchants' association, snow removal, and City functions.

SHARON'S PLACE - The Authority agreed that something needs to be done with Sharon's Place. Most of the members agreed that the building needs to be razed. There was quite a bit of debate about what CAN be done to correct the situation. Currently the building is owned by the County because of delinquent taxes. Concerns about a speculator purchasing the building only to prolong the process were voiced. It was suggested that the County be cited for blight and health code violations. This might give the City negotiating power allowing the City to take over the building to have it razed. Steve Frank said that the Authority deserves to be properly informed as to what actions have been taken; what actions will be taken; and what the status of the building is. No action was taken on the matter.

2009/2010 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET - After briefly inspecting the DIDA's budget, the Authority approved the 2009/2010 Fiscal Year Budget as presented.

STAFF UPDATES - Since Dan Petersen was not present, the only staff update presented was a letter he composed for the DIDA members regarding the last Sisu Ski Fest meeting.

Jackie Powers asked where the letters were, that showed action was taken on Woodtech and the Railroad blight complaints. George Goerig told her that action was taken and that Woodtech had cleaned up the back of their building. Powers asked where the letters were. Goerig told Powers that the Authority was not the "Blight Police." She told Goerig that members were promised -- a motion was made at the last meeting and it was voted on unanimously that this information would be provided within a week. Jane Bowman said she will get the information from Petersen when he returns from his vacation.

When the Paulson's Tire building was mentioned, Steve Frank said moving the tires from one pile in the front of the building to a pile on the side of the building is not acceptable. Goerig told the Authority that the Code Enforcement Officer will be at the next DIDA meeting to address these concerns. Frank told the Authority that cleaning up these blighted areas aren't just selfish requests, they can be very beneficial to the Blueprint process. Keeping good records of all the cleaned up properties shows MSHDA and others that the City is working hard to improve its image.

CITIZEN ADDRESSES - This reporter reminded the Authority that they have tremendous powers mandated by the State and that many things they placing limits on are in their power to correct -- with little, if any, City involvement. I also pointed out that three new businesses have opened up or will be opening up soon in Downtown Ironwood -- Old World Meats; Last Tangles Beauty Supply Shop; and the Serenity Center (through the Gogebic Community Mental Health). I also stated that Iron Horse Tattoo Company has relocated in Hurley due to excessively strict State of Michigan standards. Steve Frank then mentioned the expansion of the dental lab on Suffolk.

OTHER BUSINESS - Steve Frank explained to the Authority that the Friend of the Miners Memorial Park were organizing a clean-up of the area around Hiawatha and the trail behind it. He asked to have the DIDA's support in the clean-up -- just to show that the DIDA wants to avoid vandalism, littering, and illegal dumping on City land. After much debate, the DIDA voted to ask the City Commission to address the issue.