Escanaba DDA plans expanded downtown flower program
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ESCANABA -- The Escanaba Downtown Development Authority is taking a more active role in maintaining downtown flowers as it looks to enhance the appearance of the downtown and expand the city's floral displays.
Until now, the DDA has paid the city's Public Works Department to water and maintain flowers throughout downtown. Under a new plan, the DDA will take on more responsibility next year for flower maintenance in the downtown.
DDA Vice Chair Peggy Berg said the goal is to work with the city and Enhance Escanaba to expand the number of flowers and containers in Escanaba’s downtown.
"It just adds a brightness, it just adds a feeling of this community really cares about the downtown, which makes people feel more welcome," Berg said. "Flowers are very inviting, just adding to the beauty of the whole city."
The DDA hopes the enhanced floral displays will encourage more people to visit downtown businesses, including shops, restaurants and bars. Berg said an attractive downtown can also help increase property values and make vacant buildings more appealing to potential tenants.
As part of the new plan, the DDA board has approved the purchase of a side-by-side utility vehicle that will be equipped with a water tank to help maintain flowers along downtown sidewalks.
"The plan is to have the UTV go down the sidewalk with a water tank on the back," Berg said. "We are planning on starting that early in the morning so it doesn't really affect, or has very little effect, on pedestrians and shoppers."
The equipment will provide the DDA with greater access to flower containers located along sidewalks and allow staff and volunteers to more efficiently water displays later in the fall.
The effort is part of a broader streetscape program involving the City of Escanaba and Enhance Escanaba. The Escanaba City Council has approved matching funds for a grant that would allow the city to purchase additional floral containers for downtown.
Berg said expanding the number of flowers will also require a significant commitment to their ongoing maintenance.
"It's going to take an extensive program to maintain the added flowers in the downtown," Berg said.
The expanded floral program is intended to add color and vibrancy to downtown while supporting efforts to make the area more inviting to residents, visitors and customers of local businesses.