Brighton Merchants Defend Spending on Downtown Development

Showing their support for the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and Principal Shopping Development (PSD), many of Brighton’s merchants attended Thursday night’s City Council meeting in response to budget discussions and concerns, defending the money spent to help develop and maintain the downtown area.

According to the Press & Argus, Councilman Jim Bohn had previously expressed some concerns about expenditures in the DDA's recent budget, such as $60,000 on flowers and $40,000 for PSD efforts which include advertising and promotions.

This spurred store owners to “respectfully and politely” express their opinions, according to Director Matt Modrack, that the DDA was an “unqualified success."

Stating that he had “100 percent confidence” in the decisions made by the PSD, Modrack defended the $40,000 marketing budget.

“We are at a point now that if we do nothing but advertise - advertising brings in people - and because it’s such a thriving, active downtown, they’re going to come back,” Modrack said. “You just have to get the word out and PSD has done that.”

Recognizing successful events such as the Smokin’ Jazz Festival that the PSD helps promote, Marack said visitors who attend Brighton festivals for the first time through the efforts of advertising will return to Brighton again.

“It’s an essential part of the success of downtown,” he said. “I think the pertinent question is, is it working and the answer is yes- and unqualified yes.”

The flowers planted around downtown have also become a source of compliments and appreciated by visitors, according to Modrack who calls the flower budget "competitive" with a cost of $17,070 for just flowers.

With an additional flower maintenance of $23,200, the total flower program budget is $40,270, according to Modrack with a property maintenance of $21,250 bringing the total contract amount to $61,520, which includes a $1,000 discount for awarding both contracts.

Although the DDA budget is separate from the city, Modrack says council members have final approval on projects and cost decisions.

Modrack credits Brighton's revitalization efforts over the past 20 years to store owners, the Brighton City Council, the PSD and the DDA with a “renaissance” that has brought development, businesses and visitors to the area.

With a dozen restaurants that include outdoor dining, more than 20 stores catering to women’s fashion, free parking lots and a "clever" walk-able design, Brighton’s reputation is thriving, according to Modrack, and is now comparable to such places as Birmingham, Rochester and Northville.

“And that’s something that the DDA and the city should be proud of,” he said. “You simply cannot do any better that evolve into a shopping center destination - and in particular for women.”

The final city budget will be approved in May.

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