Project Name: INCORRECT Oxford’s Dog Pocket Path
ABOUT THE APPLICANT
Are you applying as a:
DDA or CID
What is the entity’s name:
Oxford DDA via the Village of Oxford
Website URL
Twitter Handle
Facebook Handle
kelly westbrook
Instagram Handle
What is the name of the primary contact for this entity’s application/project?
Kelly Westbrook
What are their preferred pronouns?
She/her/hers
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Where will your project take place? (please include city/village too)
Oxford
Anticipated project launch date
September 30, 2023
Briefly describe your project idea including your role and any project partners.
A dog pocket path in downtown Oxford is just what the community needs! This is a way to help bring the community together while also fixing up a disregarded space in the community. Th DDA will be responsible for recruiting contractors and supervising the entire project.
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 initial segment of the grant will be allocated to Nick Hottmann, a muralist who has undertaken three prior projects in Oxford. He will be the primary artist for this undertaking and establish the project’s overall tone. ($4,000)
The second segment of the project involves partnering with Nicolette Shagena, a local business owner who operates Cavemann and Pip. She is a skilled designer and has contributed to multiple design projects in the past. She will assist us in making optimal use of the space. ($500)
The third segment of the project entails collaborating with a local woodworker to construct dog run elements for the designated “dog run” area. We will engage Craig Shagena, who is the proprietor of his woodworking business and has already worked with us downtown. ($2,500)
The final segment of the project will involve partnering with the Village and DPW to secure permits and remove dead trees and bushes. This in-kind partnership will be worth ($3,000)
Lastly, we will need to purchase seating and turf for the area, estimated to cost around ($3,000).
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.
Yes
Rachel’s Notes about the Project
Reviewed 4.21.23. Confirmed member status. Confirmed LOS. Confirmed photos. Confirmed viable project location. Artist will be paid. Confirmed businesses are local and downtown.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
Why does your community need this project?
Many of our stores and restaurant patios are dog friendly in our downtown, but there isn’t a designated place to sit, meet other dog owners, or give your pup a drink. This space will bring community members together and be a safe space for owners to bring their dogs downtown.
How will you engage your community in this project?
We would love for the community to weigh in on the mural concept. We have a rough drawing now of what we are looking for, but would love to have the community tell us what they would like to see!
What do you hope to achieve through this project?
Anytime we create some type of placemaking project in our community, we find that the feeling of community and spirit of our downtown goes up. Having a new space that brings together all types of people but with one common interest is a way to bond people in our area. We also would be able to take a space that is underutilized and in need of renovations in the heart of our historic district and be able to add value to the area and meaning.
How will the project celebrate the community’s diversity? Diversity can include different ages, races, cultures, socio-economic statuses, abilities, and more.
Animals and dogs specifically are the perfect way to bring people together. Finding a common interest and putting it at the forefront in a project is the #1 way to bring people together from all walks of life.
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.
We are grateful to have wonderful partnerships already set up in our community. We are currently working on two placemaking projects and will just have wrapped them up when this project would begin. DPW and the village will help us with the in-kind portion of the project. The DDA will take on the
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Artist First and Last Name:
Nick Hottmann
Artist Website (If Applicable):
https://www.facebook.com/nhottmannart/
Describe the artist’s or artists’ work. This is not about credentials—what do they do as an artist?
Nick is a graduate from Oxford High school and now resides in Utah where he is a full time muralist. We have had the honor of working with Nick on 3 mural projects in downtown Oxford.
How will the artist be involved in this project?
Nick will provide mock ups for the mural and also will help with the design collaboration of the space.
ABOUT THE PARTNERS
Business 1: Business Name:
Caveman and Pip
Business 1: Business Type:
Retail
Business 1: Business Owner First and Last Name:
Nicolette Shagena
Business 1: Physical Location Address
28 S Washington street, Oxford, MI 48371
How will this partner be involved in the project?
Nicolette is a designer and also sits on our Community Design board through the DDA. She will be helping us with the design of the space, and overseeing the project. The alley way also runs along side of her retail store.
Business 2: Business Name:
Craig Shagena- Caveman
Business 2: Business Type:
Service
Business 2: Business Owner First and Last Name:
Craig Shagena
Business 2: Business Physical Location Address:
28 S Washington street, Oxford, MI 48371
How will this second partner be involved in the project?
The Caveman as Oxford likes to call him, has a wood working business that the downtown has utilized as well as many residents in and around Oxford. Although he is partnered with his wife, Nicolette on the retial location, Craig runs his own woodworking business while Nicolette runs her design business. Craig would be instrumental in designing and doing the wood work for some doggy path steps, dishes and dog house.
Do you have additional partners (business, non-profit, etc.)?
Yes
What are their names?
Village of Oxford- DPW
Birmingham Sealcoat
What role(s) will they have in the project?
Village of Oxford and DPW will help us with the tree and push removal.
If there is any flat work that needs to be done, we would look to our long-time partners, Birmingham Sealcoat.
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 village always works with us on community projects. We have a great relationship with them, and they are always willing to go above and beyond to help us.
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/DOC041823-04182023135942.pdf
IMAGE UPLOADS
Image Caption 1 (if any): Current Alleyway
Image 1 (if any):
Image Caption 2 (if any): Alleyway from M-24
Image 2 (if any):
Image Caption 3 (if any): Nick Hottmann First Mock Up for Mural
Image 3 (if any):
Image Caption 4 (if any): Concept of what the Dog alley’s vibe would be
Image 4 (if any):
Image Caption 5 (if any): Dog Path Elements
Image 5 (if any):
