Project Name: Signs of the future
ABOUT THE APPLICANT
Are you applying as a:
Municipal Government
What is the entity’s name:
City of Scottville
Website URL
Twitter Handle
Facebook Handle
Downtown Scottville
Instagram Handle
What is the name of the primary contact for this entity’s application/project?
Jimmy Newkirk
What are their preferred pronouns?
He/him/his
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Where will your project take place? (please include city/village too)
Downtown Scottville
Anticipated project launch date
July 17, 2023
Briefly describe your project idea including your role and any project partners.
Many of our downtown buildings have changed hands in the past year. . Something that has been a hurdle is the removal of exterior signage of previous businesses. The Scottville DDA would like to start a project to assist building owners to replace those old signs and make it easier to install new.
How do you plan to spend the $5,000 microgrant? Please list and explain the items, services, fees, expertise, etc. that you plan to purchase.
The hiring of a crew and bucket truck to remove signage, make repairs where they were attached, and dispose of old pieces. The hiring of an experience bucket crew is the most costly. Also add flower barrels, American flags, and small repairs to the downtown pocket park.
Will your project require special permits from the community you are in? For example, anything that requires a street closure or installing a permanent art piece will likely require a special permit from your local governing body or zoning board. If your project is funded, the MML Foundation is happy to help you navigate that process. Please note that all applicants must obtain any necessary permits for their projects, if selected for funding.
No
Rachel’s Notes about the Project
Reviewed 4.14.23. Confirmed member status. Confirmed businesses and locations. Letter has been corrected. Sounds like artist would be helping design the signs but no mention of being compensated.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
Why does your community need this project?
Scottville is experiencing a rapid growth in business and development. The small downtown building owners need help to compete and assisting them with this project to beautify their properties and remove the unsightly signs is a big visual step forward. There are multiple business with old, dilapidated facades and this has really come together with the support of multiple downtown businesses.
How will you engage your community in this project?
Downtown business owners, local residents, and the DDA are all renewing efforts to beautify downtown Scottville.
What do you hope to achieve through this project?
We want the view through “Downtown” to be that small-town, Norman Rockwell look. Every year it is lined with American Flags, flower barrels, and then you have the unsightly old signage and weather beaten pocket park. We’re making good progress but need a boost to add more barrels, flowers, and get rid of the signs!!
How will the project celebrate the community’s diversity? Diversity can include different ages, races, cultures, socio-economic statuses, abilities, and more.
New developments include restaurants, winery, pet grooming, and a new small, downtown grocer. Our little town is very diverse and we are engaged in an effort to increase walkability and non-motorized ways to engage in our blooming downtown. There will be something for everyone in a very short amount of time.
What resources do you already have to make this project successful? Resources could include things like time, partners, expertise, donated goods/materials/space, matching funds, and more. Please approximate the in-kind value if possible.
Contractors verbally committed to work with us, the building owners ,DDA, and the Scottville DPW, There is roughly $2000 in resources committed thus far. This funding would cover flower barrel supplies & materials, and repair to surfaces after signs are removed.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Artist First and Last Name:
Richard Morse
Describe the artist’s or artists’ work. This is not about credentials—what do they do as an artist?
Richard is a Scottville native he’s excited to bring his visualizations to life in his hometown. He regularly paints storefront window scenes during holidays and has done renderings for many projects.
How will the artist be involved in this project?
He will use his artistic skills to “design” how this project will look when completed. Helping businesses with small design changes that could be done on a budget to make their storefronts more attractive. He also will draft a visualization of the pocket park for a future rehab project.
ABOUT THE PARTNERS
Business 1: Business Name:
State & Main
Business 1: Business Type:
Retail
Business 1: Business Owner First and Last Name:
Lisa Cooper
Business 1: Physical Location Address
112 S. Main St.
How will this partner be involved in the project?
Supporting with volunteer hours, supplies, and access to rooftops of downtown so we can access signs. Business owner also runs a youth service organization that will be instrumental in the maintenance and beautification in downtown each summer.
Business 2: Business Name:
Stallion Mill LLC
Business 2: Business Type:
Restaurant
Business 2: Business Owner First and Last Name:
Jeff Barnett
Business 2: Business Physical Location Address:
119 S. Main
How will this second partner be involved in the project?
This business owner is part of an ownership team of 4 buildings in Scottville. They have been instrumental in the resurgence Scottville is experiencing and has supported several other projects with materials and manpower to make sure they get completed. Access to upper stories of buildings and rooftops will be needed from this ownership group.
Do you have additional partners (business, non-profit, etc.)?
Yes
What are their names?
Western Michigan Online Auctions, Cameron Accounting, Plant Paradise, a yet-to-be-names pet supply and doggie daycare, The Hempire Collective
What role(s) will they have in the project?
Volunteer hours to water and maintain flowers, assist installing flags for the year, maintain the cleanliness of the downtown pocket park
Are they located within the same downtown or business district as the project?
Yes,
Will your local municipal government be involved in the project? If so, how?
Yes, the City DPW will assist with disposal of the old signage, installation of the flower barrels, delivery of black dirt, and providing secure area with barricades and road closures for work to be accomplished.
Please upload a letter of support on letterhead for your project from your local governing body (mayor, city/village manager, city/village council member).
https://mmlfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/formidable/19/Seiter-letter.pdf
IMAGE UPLOADS
Image Caption 1 (if any): Two recently purchased retail locations with old signage – flags and flower barrels will be placed out front within a few weeks
Image 1 (if any):
Image Caption 2 (if any): Storefronts with signs for closed businesses that need to be removed – flags and flower barrels will be placed out front within a few weeks
Image 2 (if any):
Image Caption 3 (if any): Storefront that wanted to refurbish sign but cannot find a company to do the work. New sign will be purchased after this one removed.
Image 3 (if any):
Image Caption 4 (if any): Building that will need professional restoration work done after signs are removed.
Image 4 (if any):
Image Caption 5 (if any):
Image 5 (if any):