City of Cedar Springs

The impression of a community is often formed by the appearance of the community’s downtown.  With that in mind, the Cedar Springs Downtown Development Authority (DDA) initiated a Downtown Facade Improvement Program to  encourage an organized, planned effort to improve the character of Cedar Springs’ downtown business area.

The DDA hired an architect/designer to conduct a study of the downtown and then developed guidelines, standards and procedures for facade improvement.  Design alternatives and recommendations for over 56 commercial properties were included in the intital study.  The DDA approved guidelines and standards for facade improvement for the downtown business area and with monies set aside by the City Council, implemented its Downtown Facade Improvement Program.  Business owners can take advantage of a $5,000.00 grant from the DDA to be used toward facade improvements.  Local banks also offered $500.00 grants to be used toward paint and architectural grants.  A facade review committee was appointed which meets on a regular basis to review applications and makes recommendations to the DDA Board for approval.  To date business owners have invested over $475,000.00 in facade improvements in the Cedar Springs Downtown area.

Facade Improvement Committee members include:

Lisa Atchison - Planning Commission Representative

Linda Branyan - City Clerk

Kevin Marcus – DDA Representative

Ronny Merlington - Council Representative

Rich Pajak - Administrative Assistant

Grace Smith - Architect