The City of Allegan is partnering with the Michigan Municipal League’s new PlacePOP initiative to encourage economic growth in the city’s downtown. On Sept. 30, the public is invited to a community workshop where attendees will learn about economic development tools and further establish the vision, goals, and activities of the project. The meeting will be held 7:00 – 9:00 PM in the lower level of the Griswold Auditorium, located at 401 Hubbard Street.
PlacePOP is a League initiative that works with communities to create temporary improvements to an area that can catalyze development and strengthen community connections. Allegan has already been successful in prioritizing place, but this partnership will work to draw attention to commercial vacancies on Locust Street and recruit businesses across Downtown Allegan.
“In order to encourage more traffic and commerce in Downtown Allegan, this PlacePOP meeting will be a great opportunity to assist in this goal,” said Allegan City Manager Robert Hillard. “Property owners, business owners, and customers of Downtown Allegan are the key, so we hope to have a large turnout to make the positive difference we are all seeking.”
One goal of the project is to create temporary, “pop-up” retail spaces that will occupy vacant storefronts during the holiday season. Pop-up retail is an economic development tool that has been successful in attracting entrepreneurs, artists, small business owners, and social entrepreneurs to commercial areas.
The Sept. 30 workshop will include an educational discussion on placemaking and pop-up retail, an interactive brainstorm, table discussions, and the creation of committees to help guide the project.
Participants can RSVP to the event by contacting Deputy City Clerk Lori K. Vander Clay at (269)673-5511 ext. 230 or lvanderclay@cityofallegan.org but anyone is welcome to drop-in and reservations are not required. For questions or additional information, contact Rob Hillard at (269)673-5511 ext. 229 or rhillard@cityofallegan.org. More information about the League’s PlacePOP initiative is available at Placemaking.MML.org/PlacePOP.
Michigan Municipal League advocates on behalf of its member communities in Lansing, Washington, D.C., and the courts; provides educational opportunities for elected and appointed municipal officials; and assists municipal leaders in administering services to their communities through League programs and services.