Council Boosts Saline's Main Street Bid

The movers and shakers behind a bid to make Saline a Michigan Main Street community got a boost from City Council at Monday’s meeting.

City Council unanimously voted to amend its 2011-12 Strategic Plan to include a language supporting the Main Street application process. Council also unanimously voted to appoint City Manager Todd Campbell to serve on the Saline Historic Downtown Alliance, the group formed for the purpose of making Saline a Michigan Main Street community.

Michigan Main Street is a free program run through the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. The program supports downtowns by focusing on physical appearance, economic restructuring, promotion and organization. Although there is no cost to become a select-level member, all local Main Street organizations must have a full-time manager and a five-year budget plan detailing how the program will be funded.

As an associate level member of Michigan Main Street, members of the Saline group have been regularly visiting other Main Street communities to learn how other downtowns are using the program in revitalization efforts.

According to Cindy Czubko, who leads the Saline Historic Downtown Alliance, the program can provide Saline with technical assistance valued at over $200,000 over the next five years.

Czubko, also president of the city’s Business Development Association board, and Jill Durnen, president of the Saline Area Chamber of Commerce board of directors, detailed council on the Main Street effort at a work session before Monday’s meeting and then gave a presentation on the program during the meeting.

Durnen said Main Street’s four-point approach and expertise will strengthen downtown Saline.

“We can get down to the business of creating a vibrant downtown without getting bogged down in details,” said Durnen, adding that the program will also give Saline a “leg up” when competing with other towns for grants.  “Michigan Main Street also gives our initiatives a lot of promotion on Facebook and Twitter.”

Saline’s Main Street bid comes with the city government’s support, and at some point, there will be a request for a financial commitment from the city. While some Michigan Main Street Communities are a function of government with a Main Street manager who on the city payroll, the organizers of Saline’s bid elected to be independent.

The Saline Historic Downtown Alliance is a 501c3 non-profit organization that is completely volunteer-driven, said Czubko. She said being independent of the city allows the group to market itself to the entire Saline-area community, including parts of Pittsfield, York, and Lodi townships.

“We’re thinking all residents within the Saline School district, because Downtown Saline is the heart and soul and historic district for the entire area, not just the city,” Czubko said.

Some Michigan towns have had their Downtown Development Authority double as the Main Street board and the DDA director work as the Main Street manager. Saline doesn’t have a DDA, so that option wasn’t available.

That puts a more pressure on the Main Street fundraisers, who must come up with a more diversified budget to fund the program. But by not being a governmental body, the group will have fewer restrictions when it comes to spending money.

Still, at some point, the group will ask the city for financial help. City Councilor Dean Girbach wanted reassurances about how the independent organization would report to the city.

“I’d like clarification on issues of transparency and oversight. Since at some point we will contributing money, how will we keep information public?” Girbach asked.

Czubko said the group would have certified profession accountant looking after its books. She noted that at some point, when the city enters a contract with Main Street, reporting specifics would be laid out.

Czubko also noted that with the city manager and a council liaison on the board, keeping council in the loop would not be an issue.

“We want to be sure everyone sees what kind of successes we are having,” Czubko told council.

Mayor Pro-Tem Brian Marl, running the meeting in the absence of Mayor Gretchen Driskell, noted his support for the effort.

“Based on all the evidence and data I have seen, communities that reach select level have seen profound development. It makes a major impact in a positive way,” Marl said.

City Councilor Glenn Law also supported the motions, but said he was skeptical that neighboring townships would support the Main Street efforts.

Up to 21 associate level communities may apply for select-level membership in Michigan Main Street, which accepts three new select-level members each year. The group is expected to submit its application in the fall. Saline can continue to be part of the program as an associate-level member if its bid fails.