At its July 8 meeting the Owosso Main Street & Downtown Development Authority reviewed a six-month summary of activities and committee updates that outlined upcoming events, grants and streetscape projects.
Staff member Lizzie Fredrick summarized recent and upcoming work including the Ready 2 Recruit Program, Seasonal Leaf Cleanup, the Ground Bed Concrete Project, a historical marker for the Steam Railroading Institute, the Façade Improvement Program, and Wayfinding & Arch refurbishment. Fredrick also presented June financial reports and municipal electric-vehicle charging station metrics (revenue, unique drivers and session counts).
Commissioner Jill Davis, chairing the Promotion Committee, reviewed the Q1 photo assignments under the downtown photo contract with The Mattesons Photography and announced Hooked on Downtown: Search for the Smallmouth (July 3–30). She reminded the board of Owosso Main Street evenings, including the Summer Concert Series, Summer Sidewalk Sales, National Night Out and Owosso Vintage Motorcycle Days.
Vice-Chair Lance Omer, on behalf of Economic Vitality, named the Owosso Farmers Market the July Business of the Month and described planned Main Street Meetups for the fiscal year (storefront competition creation, business/property-owner roundtables, façade improvement support, micro-grants and a spring social). Commissioner Jon Moore reported the Organization Committee’s subscription to Volunteer Local for volunteer shift communications and attendance tracking and confirmed the committee reviewed the DDA bylaws without recommending amendments. Commissioner Karen Parzych updated the board on fall beautification, the Main Street Plaza Landscaping Project 2.0 and plans to purchase 30–40 wreaths for the 2026 Main Street Winter Wreath-Off.
Commissioner Bill Gilbert raised a maintenance item regarding the River Walk sign and the planter at the M-71 bridge.
The board scheduled its next regular meeting for Aug. 5, 2026.