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DDA uses partners to improve the community

   While the Frankenmuth Downtown Development Authority (DDA) had a busy 2025 with signage improvements, new lighting and sidewalks on Weiss Street, better shuttle service and continue holiday lighting programs, a lot more goes on behind the scenes for this organization.

   The DDA Board of Directors uses project partnerships and assistance in order to carry out their mission and has specific powers to do so. They collaborate with other groups to achieve what is both good for the DDA district and the Frankenmuth community as a whole.

  To that end, the DDA partners include, among others, the City of Frankenmuth, Frankenmuth Economic Development Corporation (EDC), Frankenmuth Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau, Frankenmuth City Beautification Committee, Saginaw Future, Inc., various civic organizations and foundations, and the private sector.

  Specific collaboration efforts this year include, per DDA Executive Director Dan Hopp:

  This past year the DDA worked through and updated its strategic plan. With the assistance from an outside firm, the DDA embarked on a work session and completed several surveys to make sure they were including all aspects.

  𠇊 new mission and vision statement were developed along the five core values: For the good of the whole, productive, forward thinking, strategic, and stewardship. A one-page strategic plan was developed and is now included in every DDA packet,” Hopp said.

  The juncture of South Main Street (M-83) and Weiss Street has been on the minds of Frankenmuth Police, Fire, MMR Ambulance Service, and other first responder personnel for many years, however, specifically over the past 5-10 years.

  A number of crashes have taken place at this area, seen as the southern gateway to the community, as a majority of the guests who come to visit “Michigan’s Little Bavaria” arrive from the south.

  With federal funding solidified in 2024, the DDA is working with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) on an Early Planning Proposal for the Weiss and South Main Streets intersection........

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