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Photo courtesy of HyettPalma
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More than 200 people crowded the basement of First United Methodist Church on Feb. 26 to give input into the future of downtown Ypsilanti.
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He can't quite put his finger on it but he said there is something different about Ypsilanti — a change for the better.
Doyle Hyett, co-founder and chairman of HyettPalma, a national consulting firm specializing in the economic enhancement of downtowns, said there is an air of optimism that wasn't here last time he visited on official business in 1992.
Hyett and Dolores Palma, co-founder and president of HyettPalma, visited Ypsilanti last week. The husband and wife team met with community members, business owners and took a couple strolls through downtown.
"We visited many of the Downtown stores and worked to re-acquaint ourselves with the community — a number of years have passed since we completed Ypsilanti's first Downtown enhancement strategy."
The couple is back, 16 years later, to create a five-year strategic plan for the downtown area as part of Michigan's Cool Cities Blueprints initiative.
The $50,000 study is funded by a 50/50 match grant from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority Ypsilanti's DDA.
"It's great to see what this community has evolved to," he said. "We not only have a much more informed clientele but we have a much more optimistic clientele as well."
Much of that optimism could be seen and heard Feb. 26, when approximately 200 people crowded the basement of First United Methodist to give input into the future of downtown Ypsilanti.
For an hour and a half community members took turns sharing what changes they would like to see made to downtown while Palma jotted them down as quick as possible on an oversized notepad.
"More shopping, more people, more foot traffic, more family attractions, better parking, green living, a place to gather..."
Suggestions came rapid-fire from the crowd on ways downtown Ypsilanti could be improved. However, community members also had a chance to share what they like about downtown.
Several people said the practicality of the businesses in Ypsilanti is what makes the city so great.
Others appreciated the fact that there are no chain-stores in the city.
"I like the fact that we're not Ann Arbor," said one community member.
Ypsilanti resident and former mayoral candidate Steve Pierce noted some at the visioning session made suggestions for things the city already has. But everyone, including Pierce, said the session was a success.
"I thought it was really encouraging to see so many people come out and talk about what we want our community to be," said Ypsilanti resident Liz Dahl-MacGregor.
Not only have HyettPalma noticed the new optimism and investments downtown but Hyett said others outside the city are taking notice as well.
"This vibe you're putting out is something that people everywhere are beginning to feel," Hyett said.
HyettPalma will be back in town March 10 to make a public presentation of the Blueprint and to present the written Blueprint to the community.
Contact Staff Writer Christine Laughren at 697-8255 or at claughren@heritage.com
What: HyettPalma to present final report on the strategic five-year plan for downtown Ypsilanti.
When: 7 - 8:30 p.m. Monday, March 10
Where: The Riverside Arts Center, 76 N. Huron St.
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