DDA helps businesses and work to improve downtown

Kevin Hatmaker is moving his State Farm Office into downtown Wayne. The office will be opening soon.

By Carolyn Marnon – Public Act 57 requires the DDA (Downtown Development Authority) conduct two informational meetings per year. The first meeting was held during the DDA’s regular Board meeting on December 9 and the second was held at the December 15 city council meeting.
The COVID-19 pandemic was a challenge in 2020, but it didn’t completely stop the City of Wayne and the DDA from making progress. DDA Director Lori Gouin shared information of the DDA’s 2020 activities.
A Façade Improvement Grant was implemented and grants were given to The Avenue American Bistro and My Place Restaurant.
Beaumont Urgent Care was newly constructed on eastbound Michigan Ave.
112 Bar on Michigan Ave. was demolished to make way for new development.
The DDA hosted a 6-week multi-media holiday marketing campaign encouraging people to “Experience Downtown Wayne.” Commercials promoting downtown Wayne’s shopping experience and restaurants were shown on WOW! and Xfinity cable tv. A billboard on Ford Rd along with social media and print ads were also used.
New holiday banners and lights were installed along Michigan Ave. and Wayne Rd.
Nineteen new businesses opened in Wayne.
Premium Properties Management
State Farm – Kevin Hatmaker
Summerfield Auto
SVS Vision
Auto Sales
Office Space
Wayne Westland Urgent Care
Elusive Beauty Vault
Treasure Seekers
6:00 a.m. Barber Shop
Chahrour Investments
AKA Sports
Antique Smoke
Aramark-Michigan Assembly
Beaumont Urgent Care
Destiny’s Children
Elm Street Wholesale
House of Smoke and Vape
J & J Auto Wash

The City and DDA met with the Wayne County Department of Public Services to discuss traffic calming and a pedestrian crossing on Wayne Rd. between westbound Michigan Ave. and Glenwood.
The DDA participated in Strategic Planning Sessions with members of the Planning Commission to provide input on the City of Wayne Master Plan Revision.
Many improvements were also made in the City:
Trees were trimmed along northbound Wayne Rd.
Trees were removed from blocking store fronts along westbound Michigan Ave.
The islands next to the Courthouse and behind Leo’s were cleaned and re-mulched.
Plantings in the garden beds on Michigan Ave. from Second St. to Elizabeth were removed and replanted.
All decorative light poles were painted green.
The mast arms and metal trash cans at westbound Michigan Ave. and Wayne Rd. were repainted.
New holiday banners and holiday lights were purchased and hung.
Portions of the deteriorating retaining wall at Goudy Park were removed.

The DDA has several goals for 2021:
They would like to retain a qualified firm to produce a quality marketing campaign.
They would like to secure a Real Estate Program for assistance with business placement.
They want to evaluate the possibility of new entrance signage on east and westbound Michigan Ave.
They want to purchase more holiday lights.
They’d like to continue the landscape improvement project along Michigan Ave. and Wayne Rd.
They want to replace the cement in Derby’s Alley.
They would like to continue with improvements to Goudy Park.